jim carrey opens up about his private romance at awards night

At the 2026 Cesar Awards in France on February 26, Jim Carrey shared a heartfelt moment with his loved ones, including his companion Min Ah and daughter Jane Erin Carrey along with her teenage son Jackson. The actor openly celebrated his private romance and family during this significant film award ceremony.

Acknowledging Loved Ones at the Cesar Awards

Jim Carrey expressed deep gratitude to his family while accepting an award recognizing his accomplished career. Speaking in French, he thanked his daughter Jane and grandson Jackson, saying,

“Thank you to my wonderful family, my daughter Jane, and my grandson Jackson,”

Jim said, continuing with,

“as I love you now and forever.”

The 64-year-old also dedicated thanks to his partner, Min Ah, referring to her affectionately:

“Thank you to my sublime companion, Min Ah. I love you, Min Ah.”

Additionally, he honored his father, Percy Joseph Carrey, with these words:

“And finally, thank you to the funniest man I have ever known: my father Percy Joseph Carrey, who taught me the value of love, generosity and laughter.”

Jim Carrey’s Past Relationships and Personal History

Despite remaining private about his romantic life in recent years, Jim’s journey through relationships has been in the public eye historically. He married Melissa Womer (sometimes spelled Wormer) in 1987, the year their daughter Jane was born. Their marriage ended in 1995. Jim later wed his Dumb and Dumber co-star Lauren Holly in 1996; their union was brief, lasting under a year.

Throughout the 2000s, Carrey dated notable figures like Renée Zellweger, who was also his fiancée for a brief period, and Jenny McCarthy, with whom he was involved from 2005 to 2010. He also had an early relationship with singer Linda Ronstadt for eight months during the 1980s and has been linked to She Hulk actress Ginger Gonzaga in later years.

Reflections on Marriage and Love

Jim has been outspoken about his hesitation toward remarriage after experiencing two failed marriages. He stated,

“I just don’t see it as necessary.”

During a 2014 interview on The Howard Stern Show, he admitted,

“I can’t say that I know how I would feel if I meet somebody that knocks my head off,”

adding,

“I can’t make hard, fast rules about the future. But I wouldn’t voluntarily go that way.”

Despite the reticence about marriage, Carrey maintains no regrets about his past relationships. In a 2020 Howard Stern interview, he shared,

“I do appreciate the people that have come through my life for the good that they gave me.”

Early Life and Comedy Beginnings

Born in Newmarket, a suburb of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Jim Carrey is the youngest of four siblings. His comedic talents started to emerge early; in seventh grade, a teacher gave him a chance to perform in front of his classmates if he kept order. Jim used this opportunity to test his humor, later reflecting,

“Even then I was ruffling feathers,”

as he told Rolling Stone in 1995.

Carrey’s early comedy career was heavily supported by his father Percy Joseph Carrey. Percy drove him to perform at Toronto’s Yuk Yuk club, where Jim made his stand-up debut dressed in a yellow suit his mother made for him. Although his initial performance was unsuccessful, his persistence paid off. Jim’s improved act captured the interest of comedian Rodney Dangerfield, who hired him as an opening act for his Las Vegas tour.

Significant Milestones and Film Roles

In 1987, Jim met waitress Melissa Womer at the Comedy Store, marking the beginning of their relationship and eventual marriage. Their daughter Jane Erin Carrey later gained her own fame by competing on American Idol. Throughout his career, Jim took on challenging roles, including his portrayal of comedy icon Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon, a role that earned critical acclaim and a Golden Globe in 2000. Co-star Paul Giamatti described the experience as extremely unusual, recalling Jim’s intense method acting and eccentric behavior on set:

“It was a very strange experience. It was one of the weirdest experiences I’ve had making a movie, to be honest with you. It was just wacky. Jim was wacky during it. He did this whole thing where he was Andy Kaufman all the time when he was on set and when he was in the costume, and was Tony Clifton all the time when he was Tony Clifton. When he was Tony Clifton, he had cheese — Limburger cheese — in his pockets so he smelled horrible. And he’d constantly be hugging people, and he had it all over his hands and stuff. It was disgusting. He was touching people and making them shake his hands all the time. He smelled horrible. Like, really bad. It was just weird. And that’s the least of it.”

— Paul Giamatti, Actor

In 1990, a struggling Jim famously wrote himself a $10 million check for acting services, postdated to Thanksgiving 1995. By the time Dumb and Dumber was released in 1994, he had earned that amount and left the check inside his father’s casket upon his burial that same year.

Personal Tragedies and Legal Challenges

Jim Carrey has endured significant sorrow, notably the death of his former girlfriend, makeup artist Cathriona White, in 2015. She died from a prescription drug overdose in what was ruled a suicide. Jim served as a pallbearer at her funeral in Ireland. Subsequently, he faced two wrongful death lawsuits filed by White’s husband and mother, which were dismissed in 2018. After the initial lawsuit, Carrey released a statement expressing his grief, saying,

“Cat’s troubles were born long before I met her and sadly her tragic end was beyond anyone’s control. I really hope that some day soon people will stop trying to profit from this and let her rest in peace.”

Citizenship and Honors

Though originally Canadian, Jim Carrey became a U.S. citizen in 2004 while retaining his Canadian citizenship. That year, he was also inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame. A decade later, Canada Post commemorated him with a postage stamp, further celebrating his lasting impact. Despite his fame, he has yet to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Enduring Legacy and What Lies Ahead

Jim Carrey’s openness about his private romance with Min Ah at the Cesar Awards marks a rare personal glimpse into his life, intertwined with a rich history of professional achievements, romantic experiences, and personal challenges. While he remains cautious about remarriage, his appreciation for those who have touched his life endures, underscoring a life shaped by resilience and connection. As Carrey continues to balance his personal and public worlds, his story resonates with both sorrow and hope, promising a future filled with heartfelt moments and artistic ventures.