A tribute was paid to American actor Jim Carrey, 64, who received an honorary César Award in recognition of his entire career.
When people hear his name, many immediately think of his explosive performance in The Mask, the 1994 comedy in which a timid bank clerk transforms into a wild, green alter ego whenever he puts on a magical mask. Yet some may forget that eight years earlier he had appeared in Peggy Sue Got Married, directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
The year 1994 marked his major breakthrough with mainstream audiences, as he also starred in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dumb and Dumber. But Carrey proved he was far more than a comic performer confined to one genre. He went on to deliver critically acclaimed performances in The Truman Show and took on more dramatic roles, including the romantic drama Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, directed by Michel Gondry.
In recent years, Carrey appeared in more commercially driven projects such as the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. He has officially stepped back from acting to focus on painting, but on this occasion he was honoured specifically for his work as an actor on the stage of the Olympia in Paris.
During the 51st César Awards ceremony on Thursday, 26 February, the Canadian-American star — who was present in Paris — received an honorary César celebrating a career that has moved fluidly between comedy and drama.
@voici_mag Standing ovation pour Jim Carrey, honoré d’un César d’honneur pour l’ensemble de sa carrière. Accueilli par une salle debout, l’acteur a choisi de s’adresser au public en français, déclenchant une vive émotion. « Bonsoir, merci beaucoup, c’est très gentil », a-t-il lancé avec humilité, avant d’ajouter : « Quelle chance j’ai eu de partager cet art avec tant de personnes qui m’ont offert leur cœur en retour ». L’acteur a également évoqué ses racines, rappelant qu’un de ses ancêtres avait quitté Saint-Malo pour rejoindre le Canada. Il a tenu à remercier Canal+, l’Académie des César, ainsi que Camille Cottin et ses proches. Moment particulièrement touchant lorsqu’il a rendu hommage à son père : « Merci à l’homme le plus drôle que j’ai jamais connu, mon père ». « Il m’a appris la valeur de la générosité et du rire ». Très applaudi, il a conclu avec tendresse et autodérision : « Comment était mon français ? Presque médiocre non ? Pardonnez-moi je ne parle pas très bien.Ma langue est fatiguée. Je vous aime tous du fond du coeur, merci ! » 📹 Canal Plus #jimcarrey #cesar2026 #video #cesardhonneur ♬ son original - voici_mag
The award was presented by filmmaker Michel Gondry, who directed Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The ceremony audience gave him a lengthy standing ovation as he acknowledged those who had been part of his professional journey, as well as his family and his father, Percy Joseph Carrey. He also noted that he has French ancestry dating back approximately 300 years.
To mark the occasion, the ceremony opened with an extended sketch by Benjamin Lavernhe, a member of the Comédie-Française, who served as master of ceremonies. His energetic performance paid tribute to The Mask, one of the most iconic films of Carrey’s career. Actor Emmanuel Curtil, the French voice of Carrey, also joined him on stage.
@canalplus Un hommage ✨SPLENDIDE✨ (ref au film tavu) #César2026 #Filmtok #jimcarrey #prt ♬ Welcome To The Store (STEM pad) - Homegrown / BMGPM
A distinctive figure in American cinema, Carrey became one of Hollywood’s most recognisable faces in the 1990s, following his early beginnings in stand-up comedy. His elastic facial expressions and physical comedy drew comparisons to legends such as Jerry Lewis and even Charlie Chaplin.
In 1998, he successfully transitioned into drama with The Truman Show, playing an ordinary man who discovers that his entire life is a staged television production. The performance earned him a Golden Globe Award, followed by a second the following year for his portrayal of comedian Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon, directed by Milos Forman.
One of the most celebrated performances of his career came in 2004 when he starred opposite Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The film remains a standout in his filmography and further demonstrated his range as an actor.
His career later continued with major international box office successes such as A Christmas Carol and the Sonic franchise, before he began stepping back from the film industry in the early 2020s.
Now, with this honorary César, Jim Carrey has been formally recognised in France for a body of work that spans slapstick comedy, heartfelt drama and decades of global cinematic influence.
