The one movie that inspired Jim Carrey to become an actor

(Credits: Far Out / Alamy)

Thu 2 January 2025 16:45, UK

Jim Carrey burst into the public domain with a simple flailing of his limbs and a seemingly uncontrollably contorted face. With his combination of comedic timing, devotion to his craft and pure silliness, he quickly became one of the most desired actors of the decade.

Though he had been gaining credits in movies since 1983’s The Sex and Violence Family Hour, it wasn’t until 1994 that Jim Carrey truly broke into the collective consciousness with a run of three movies that established him as the only comedic actor worthy of the huge salaries he was now collecting as he released three mega-hits Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask and Dumb and Dumber. With that, Carrey would continue on a career trajectory that would make him one of the most recognisable faces in Hollywood history. But, like all superstars, he started out life as a goofy kid with a dream that was sparked by the first time he entered the cinema.

Walking into the theatre is one experience almost all of us can remember. Whether it is the pervading perfume of buttered popcorn, the sweetly sticky floors or the gentle grazing of decades-old carpeted chairs, the cinema has provided millions of children with their first introduction to the art of movie-making. And, for all those children who would grow into adults working within the industry that creates those films, it remains the propellant for their entire career. Carrey was no different.

Making his first steps into the hallowed world of Hollywood through the screening of a science fiction comedy starring a young Kurt Russell, Carrey would begin his love affair with movies. The Computer Who Wore Tennis Shoes, released in 1969, starring a teenage Russell alongside Cesar Romero and directed by Robert Butler, would be the spark for Carrey’s entire career.

When asked by Film Threat about the first moments Carrey became infatuated with the magic of movies and therefore set down the first footstep on his journey towards stardom, Carrey was clear things began: “From the first movie I saw in the theatre, which was The Computer Who Wore Tennis Shoes with Kurt Russell. I had seen movies before that, though.”

The first in the Dexter Riley series for Disney, the picture isn’t necessarily what you might call a classic of cinema, but it certainly had enough swagger to captivate a young Carrey. A perfect vehicle for the charm of Kurt Russell, the movie and the series would provide a powerful piece of motivation for Carrey, who would, himself, pursue comedic acting over the more earnest side of the business. However, Russell wasn’t the most influential actor to Carrey.

The pre-fame Carrey was impressed by a host of actors, famously noting his appreciation for Jerry Lewis on numerous occasions, but a far more serious actor, James Stewart, was perhaps his ultimate inspiration for becoming a performer. “Ever since I was a kid I have loved Jimmy Stewart movies. I loved Jimmy Stewart movies from the word go,” Carrey explained.

Working across a range of roles but famed for his collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock, Stewart isn’t the first name you might think of when picking out influences on Carrey’s career. But, in truth, it showcases the very magic of cinema, that an inspiring performance can inspire anyone.

“Movies are just this amazing place to escape,” Carrey concludes.

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