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Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Extended Universe became household names, Jim Carrey made waves in the superhero genre withThe Mask. Released in 1994, this quirky comic book adaptation showed Carrey’s incredible range as he brought to life a character with two wildly contrasting personalities.
That year was a career-defining one for Carrey, who also delivered two other cult classics:Ace Ventura: Pet DetectiveandDumb and Dumber. With this trio of hits, Carrey became a comedy legend.
His superhero journey didn’t stop there, as he took on the role of The Riddler in 1995’sBatman Forever. However, it wasThe Maskthat truly changed the game, combining humor, action, and groundbreaking effects. Despite its massive success at the box office, Carrey’s paycheck for the film was surprisingly modest compared to the fortune it raked in.
How much did Jim Carrey earn for his role inThe Mask?
Jim Carrey’s role inThe Maskwas a defining moment in his career, showing off his unmatched talent for physical comedy and setting a new standard for superhero films.
The movie, released in 1994, followed Stanley Ipkiss, a shy bank clerk whose life takes a wild turn when he discovers a mysterious mask imbued with the spirit of Loki, the Norse god of mischief. Once he puts it on, Stanley transforms into a larger-than-life, superpowered trickster with endless charm and confidence.
This newfound persona not only helps him win the heart of nightclub singer Tina played byCameron Diaz, but also puts him on the radar of a dangerous crime boss.
Back in 2012, Carrey revealed in an interview withRoger Ebert, that he found inspiration for his role inThe Maskby channeling his father’s larger-than-life personality. His dad’s animated, almost cartoonish nature helped Carrey bring Stanley Ipkiss to life, making the character quirky, exaggerated, and unforgettable.
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The Maskwas a massive success, making Carrey a comedic powerhouse and launching Cameron Diaz into stardom with her film debut. The movie’s blend of humor, action, and groundbreaking visual effects left audiences in awe, making it an instant classic. From Carrey’s exaggerated antics to the iconic yellow zoot suit, every element of the film became unforgettable. Decades later, fans still talk about its hilarious moments and larger-than-life characters.
Despite the film’s massive box office success, Carrey’s paycheck for the role was surprisingly modest by Hollywood standards.He earned $425,000 for portraying the quirky Stanley Ipkiss. This was a significant sum for the time but tiny compared to the movie’s huge earnings.
Jim Carrey’s salary forThe Maskwas nothing compared to the movie’s massive earning
Jim Carrey’s paycheck forThe Maskseems shockingly small when you compare it to the movie’s massive box office success. Made on a modest $23 million budget, the film went on to rake in an impressive $351.6 million worldwide (viaBox Office Mojo). Despite his unforgettable performance as Stanley Ipkiss, the shy banker turned mischievous superhero, Carrey earned just $425,000 for the role.
At the time, this paycheck might have seemed fair, but it pales in comparison to the film’s earnings and the actor’s later salaries. For instance, Carrey earned a whopping $7 million forDumb and Dumber, released the same year. His paycheck reached new heights in 1996 withThe Cable Guy, where he became the first actor ever to earn $20 million for a single movie (viaVariety).
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The reason behind Carrey’s comparatively small salary forThe Masklies in timing. He was signed on for the project beforeAce Ventura: Pet Detectivebecame a hit, skyrocketing his fame and earning potential. While this worked out well for the filmmakers, who saved significantly on production costs, it’s clear Carrey deserved a far bigger slice of the pie.
His talent not only brought the character of Stanley Ipkiss to life but also saved the studio from spending extra on CGI. Looking back, it’s safe to say Carrey’s contribution was priceless.
Jim Carrey saved the movie’s CGI budget
Jim Carrey’s ability to bring a character to life is nothing short of magical, and his performance inThe Maskproved just that. Known for his extraordinary facial expressions and elastic-like movements, Carrey’s natural talent became one of the film’s biggest assets. His cartoonish ability to contort his face and body into exaggerated shapes not only fit the role perfectly but also saved the production a chunk of its CGI budget.
Back in the ’90s, when CGI wasn’t as common as it is today,The Maskbalanced practical effects with early computer-generated imagery to create its signature look. Carrey’s performance played a crucial role in making this combination work. According toCBR, to emphasize his exaggerated expressions, he often spent up to four hours in the makeup chair, where prosthetics and detailed makeup added to his already animated features.
The Maskwouldn’t beThe Maskwithout those giant, gleaming teeth, right? Surprisingly, Carrey wasn’t supposed to wear them the entire time! Originally, the oversized chompers were only for silent scenes since speaking with them seemed impossible. But, according toThe Hollywood Reporter, Carrey, ever perfectionist, mastered talking with them, adding to the cartoonish charm. He further saved the production some extra bucks.
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The movie was made on a $23 million budget, with a significant portion allocated to visual effects. With a cast of mostly new faces and a relatively modest budget for a superhero movie, New Line Cinema had a lot riding on Carrey’s star power and comedic genius. Thankfully, his unique physicality and over-the-top antics turned out to be exactly what the film needed, delivering a performance that felt larger than life without relying too heavily on special effects.
Carrey’s unmatched energy and creativity broughtThe Maskto another level, proving that sometimes, raw talent can outshine even the most advanced technology. It’s no wonder the film became a massive hit, showing his one-of-a-kind abilities to the world.
Jim Carrey is open to reprising his role inThe Mask
Jim Carrey once had the chance to bring back his iconicThe Maskcharacter but decided to pass on the offer. In fact, he famously turned down a $10 million paycheck to star in a 2005 sequel. Back then, Carrey revealed to Barbara Walters (viaY! Entertainment) that his experience working onAce Ventura: When Nature Calls(1995) which was the sequel ofAce Ventura: Pet Detective, made him think twice about revisiting old roles. He was not interested in playing a role twice back then.
However, it seems Carrey’s perspective may be shifting these days. During a recent interview, he opened up about a few of his past blockbuster roles. It looks like the actor, known for his comedic genius, might not be as opposed to revisiting his iconic characters as he once was.
Carrey has recently expressed interest in returning to some of his iconic roles, and one of them might just beThe Mask. While discussing the possibility of revisiting past characters, Carrey shared that he’s open to reprising the role of Stanley Ipkiss, but only if the right idea comes along.
For Carrey, it’s not about the paycheck or rushing into a sequel just for the sake of nostalgia. Instead, he believes a great story or an opportunity to collaborate with an inspiring team could easily sway him out of his semi-retirement. He said (viaComicbook)
Oh gosh, you know, it has to be the right idea. If somebody had the right idea, I guess… It’s not really about the money. I joke about the money… But I never know. You can’t be definite about these things.
Back in 2022, Carrey hinted at stepping away from acting, but he later clarified that it wasn’t a permanent decision. He described it more as a period of “power-resting,” leaving room for exciting projects to reignite his passion. He said,
I said I’d like to retire, but I think I was talking more about power-resting.Because as soon as a good idea comes your way, or a group of people that you really enjoyed working with and stuff, it just — things tend to change.
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The actor, who is celebrated for his unique comedic style, has always been selective about his roles. Carrey’s willingness to return forThe Maskhas fans buzzing with excitement. After all, his quirky, over-the-top performance in the 1994 film remains one of his most beloved. If the right concept comes along, audiences might just get to see the legendary trickster back in action.
The Maskis available to stream on Netflix.
Sohini Mukherjee
Content Writer
Articles Published :331
Sohini Mukherjee is an Evergreen writer at FandomWire, specializing in pop culture, all things sitcoms, and, of course, Harry Potter. She has a soft spot for shows like Modern Family and pretty much any movie that knows how to tell a good story. You’ll find her name on listicles and long form articles that feel more like fun conversations than stiff articles. Having published over 300 articles, Sohini always brings a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the stories she covers.
