Jim Carrey Reflects on French Roots at Rare César Honor Appearance

The Truman Show star Jim Carrey made a rare public appearance at the 51st César Awards in Paris on Thursday evening to receive an Honorary César Award.

The actor, who stepped back from the limelight of late, teared up as director Michel Gondry recalled their collaboration on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and looked touched when actor Emmanuel Curtil, who is the official French voice of Carrey, begged him not to leave the profession.

Carrey delivered a highly accented acceptance speech in French as he received the rectangle block shaped trophy, recalling how his great-great-great-grandfather Marc-François Carrey had emigrated from the French port city of Saint Malo for Canada, while he himself had then travelled onto Los Angeles.

“About three hundred years ago, my great-great-great-great-grandfather, Marc François Carrey, left Saint-Malo in France for Canada. Tonight, with this magnificent honor, this ‘square’ has come full circle,” he said. “Perhaps this is what my family was looking for.

hank you to the funniest man I have ever known: my father, Percy Joseph Carrey, who taught me the value of love, generosity, and laughter. If you want fortune to smile upon you, smile upon it first. It is very difficult, but we must try. I will always cherish this memory. I will always smile at this memory.My life is paradise,” he continued, concluding: “So, how was my French? Mediocre, right?”

Carrey follows in a long line of illustrious César honorees which include Julia Roberts (2025), Christopher Nolan (2024), David Fincher (2023) Cate Blanchett (2022), Robert Redford (2019) and George Clooney (2017).

The once prolific actor who broke onto the big screen in 1994 with a trio of box office topping hit films – Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber –  has slowed down the pace in recent years and also taken up painting.

In 2022, he suggested he was considering retiring from acting but then backtracked on the suggestion to reprise his Dr. Robotnik role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in 2024.

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