Jim Carrey Honored with Lifetime César — Delights Crowd with Surprise Speech in French

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Jim Carrey received a lifetime achievement award at the 51st César Awards in France, earning a standing ovation from the audience. He delighted everyone by giving his entire acceptance speech in French, according to reports from the event.

This year, Jim Carrey received the award, which is usually presented to a famous actor from another country. Previous winners have included Julia Roberts. While the event honored French films, Carrey stood out as one of the most memorable parts of the night.

The actor, famous for movies like The Mask and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, was presented by director Michel Gondry. The two had previously collaborated over twenty years ago on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, making their reunion on stage particularly special.

Jim Carrey, speaking French with a noticeable American accent, talked about his approach to acting. He explained that for him, each character is like a piece of clay – something an actor can mold and shape however they want. He expressed gratitude for the chance to share his work with so many people who have been receptive and kind. The audience clearly appreciated his attempt to speak their language.

Jim Carrey also recounted a family history, explaining that his ancestor, Marc-François Carré, originally came from Saint-Malo, France, and later moved to Canada. He playfully connected this to his family name, noting, “Tonight, with this incredible honor, this square (which is ‘carré’ in French) has come full circle.” The audience responded with laughter and applause.

The actor brought his daughter, Jane, his grandson, Jackson, and his girlfriend, Mina, to the ceremony. He specifically thanked them during his speech, expressing his love for Jane and Jackson, and for Mina, whom he called his wonderful companion. He also gave a heartfelt thanks to his father, Percy Joseph Carrey, calling him the funniest man he knew and acknowledging the lessons of love, kindness, and humor his father had taught him. The speech was deeply personal and moving, and the audience listened attentively.

Carrey finished his performance with a playful joke. He quipped, “How was my French? Pretty bad, huh? Sorry, I don’t actually speak it—I’m still learning. My tongue is exhausted!” The audience responded with more laughter and applause.

France’s César Awards are a major film celebration, similar to the Oscars in the US. This year, many people are anticipating Jim Carrey’s speech as a highlight of the ceremony.

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2026-02-27 17:14