Inspiration is a difficult find. Many people wait for inspiration to knock on their doors and present them with the next big idea. Unfortunately, that’s not how life works. Jim Carrey’s life was the same way. Even though he is a big name in Hollywood, he had to make things happen for himself.
Jim Carrey has been around for a long time in our screens, and after achieving great success in the 90’s with big hits like ‘Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,’ ‘The Mask,’ ‘Dumb and Dumber’ and ‘Liar Liar’, he’s one of the most known comedians in the world. But not many people know that the way he began his life was very different. Life is never easy for everyone.
Carrey’s Early Life
Inspiration always strikes in times of need. James Eugene Carrey was born in January 17, 1962, in Ontario Canada, the youngest of 4 children. His parents lived a simple life, where his father was also a musician. Talent must be running gene in the family. Carrey had a fondness for impressions. He was great at it and believed he could excel at this field in his young years. He had an aim, and for that he even wrote to the lead of the Carol Burnett Show, Carol Burnett herself.
This was a great show of confidence from a very young age. Carrey even received a reply as he got a form letter. And all this was at the mere age of 10. However, life took a turn for the worse not long after.
After his father lost his accountant job when Jim was 12 years old, things got tough for the family, as they had to live in a van for almost a year, and even lived in a tent in one of their relatives’ backyard. This is one of the worst sides of life anyone can witness. Having no home of their own, financial stress is among the first stressors the Carrey’s had to worry about. After all, without a proper home, it is extremely hard to get everything else in order as well.
However, Jim didn’t feel the same way about the entire incident. He had a completely different outlook. Sometimes that outlook is what shapes the rest of your life. Describing it many years later in the “Inside The Actor’s Studio Show”, Jim admitted to host James Lipton that his dad losing his job was nothing less than a “kick in the guts” for the whole family. According to Carrey, it was only a setback from which a lesson could be learned.
The Struggle That Lead To An Inspiring Journey
He had to help his family in some way. Young Carrey had to work a full 8 hour shift after school in a local factory to support his family, but despite the long factory work hours, his bright talent kick started eventually. They worked at the tire factory owing to the fact that their father worked there as well. The jobs he worked were ones of a janitor or security guards. He had to do what was necessary to survive and he did bounce back.
However, Carrey was never the kind of person who would give up. He continued to work on the talent he had. He even pushed towards his passion that was comedy. When he was only 15 year old Jim started with a spot doing stand up at a Toronto comedy club, with his father’s help driving him back and forth. He was still working at the factory during that time.
By 1979 he had left the factory job as a janitor he had taken in 1978 to help support his family, and was making his living as the opening act for successful comics Buddy Hackett and Rodney Dangerfield. This was the emerging point of his career. He was doing the best he could with his talent, and it was working out. Eventually, his financial state was also resolved as the family could afford to move into a proper home. This was the sun shining on Carrey and making his path for his career. Reflecting on his past experiences, Jim Carrey said the following statement.
“If my career in show business
~ Jim Carrey ~
hadn’t panned out, I would probably
be working today in Hamilton,
Ontario, at the Dofasco steel mill.
Those were where the great jobs were.”
Move To Fame
Being the opening act for Dangerfield brough Jim to Las Vegas. Naturally, Hollywood caught his eye and he made his attempt to get in. Little did he know it would pave his way into the industry where he would be a star. In 1983 at age 16 Carrey decided to move to Hollywood where he got his first part in a made-for-television movie called ‘Introducing…Janet.’ After moving to Hollywood, Jim used to go on Mullholland drive and imagining seeing himself being a successful actor and getting work from top studios. He was very close to his dream coming true.
Carrey’s movie career began with the 1984 picture ‘Finders Keepers’, but things haven’t really taken off for him. Yet. He said the following phrase.
“I am a total believer.
~ Jim Carrey ~
I believe in manifestation.
I believe in putting a rocket of desire
out in the universe.
You get it when you believe
you have it.
People still sit around and go “when
it’s gonna come, when it’s gonna
come” and that’s the wrong way.
You’re facing away from it.
You have to go, “it’s here, it’s here,
it’s here.”
Later, he received the famous roles that he is renowned for. The movie, The Mask, was a huge Hollywood success that helped make his mark in the industry. It was his big break as he received a Golden Globe Award nomination for that role. In the category of the best actor, it was his first nomination for the award. Actors and other talents in the industry know how big of a feat that is.
Later on, he got the role of Dumb and Dumber which is where his story of the $10 Million check was completed. But his journey never stopped there. He performed major roles in many other films. He was critically acclaimed for his performance in Liar Liar. He truly peaked in his career when the time came.
The Story Behind The $10 Million Check
Now in his entire life, you must be wondering where the story of the $10 million check came to be. This is a pretty inspiring story that could keep you going during the toughest parts of your life, and help you maintain your determination. Jim was smart to use this trick to motivate himself.
While still struggling to find work and progress in his show business career, in 1985 Carrey made a surprisingly bold and visionary decision: He wrote himself a $10-million check for “acting services rendered,” dated it 10 years in the future to Thanksgiving of 1995, and kept it in his wallet. All these years, the check was there waiting to be used. Carrey’s time wasn’t far off though.
Because guess what? In November 1995, Carrey found out he got the Lloyd Christmas part in the movie “Dumb and Dumber”. He got $10 million for it. That was a manifestation in itself as he previously quoted. It was truly inspirational as at the end his dreams did come true.
When Carrey’s father died in 1994, he placed the $10 million check into his father’s coffin, as a tribute. It was the mark that Jim made the journey he was meant for and did make his dreams a reality. If anything, his father should be proud of his son and the man he became. There’s nothing left to say, a truly remarkable story, pure inspiration.
The $10 million check truly worked as a miracle for Jim Carrey. It might have played a major role in motivating him to make his dream come true. Yet, even if it didn’t the check did manifest the future of Carrey. It is remarkable how one goal or one dream led to the most amazing rile of his career. His journey started off at the bottom. If you think about it, it may even be the worst-case scenario for the majority. Yet, he always had hope.
The more you think about this story, the more inspired you become. Who would ever think of writing themselves a $10 million check for the future? For someone who was once homeless and had to live in a tent, it would be a near to impossible goal. However, this fascinating idea really led to a turning point in Carrey’s career. If you’re looking for a sign to set a goal this long-term, this is it.
Jim Carrey is a familiar face everyone has seen on their television screens. Who, besides himself would have known about the struggle he faced coming to this point in his life? It is truly inspirational. His story has motivated many people to try and change their luck. It is only with this inspiration, a long-term goal, and struggle that you can be who you want to be. Here’s to Jim Carrey’s inspirational journey, and hopefully, yours too. Take this moment to reflect and get started!
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