Jim Carrey, the Canadian-born actor and comedian whose elastic face and boundless energy have made him a global icon, took center stage at the 51st César Film Awards in Paris on February 26, 2026. But this time, the spotlight shone not just on his achievements in film but also on the people closest to his heart—his daughter, his grandson, and, for the first time in public, his companion Min Ah.
Carrey, 64, was honored with a prestigious honorary César Award, celebrating decades of memorable performances that have spanned slapstick comedies, psychological dramas, and everything in between. The French Academy, which announced his selection back in October 2025, praised Carrey for his "exceptional versatility" across both film and television, according to People. The event, held at the iconic Olympia venue in Paris, was a star-studded affair, but it was Carrey’s heartfelt acceptance speech—delivered entirely in French—that truly captivated the audience.
"Thank you to my wonderful family, my daughter Jane, and my grandson Jackson. I love you now and forever. Thank you to my sublime companion, Min Ah," Carrey said, pausing as the crowd erupted in applause. He continued, "I love you, Min Ah. 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." As InStyle reported, this was the first time Carrey publicly acknowledged his relationship with Min Ah, making their appearance together a notable moment on the red carpet and beyond.
It’s no secret that Carrey’s personal life has often been a subject of public fascination. He’s been married twice—first to Melissa Womer from 1987 to 1995, with whom he shares his daughter Jane, and then briefly to his Dumb and Dumber co-star Lauren Holly from 1996 to 1997. His romantic history has also included high-profile relationships with Renée Zellweger, Jenny McCarthy, and makeup artist Cathriona White, whose tragic death in 2015 led to intense media scrutiny and legal battles that were ultimately dismissed in 2018, as chronicled by E! News.
Yet, in recent years, Carrey has kept his private life largely under wraps. According to E! News, he’s been open about his lack of interest in remarrying after two failed marriages, once telling Howard Stern, "I just don't see it as necessary." Still, Carrey hasn’t shut the door on love. "I can't make hard, fast rules about the future. But I wouldn't voluntarily go that way," he mused in a 2014 interview. Reflecting on his past relationships during a 2020 appearance on Stern’s show, he said, "I do appreciate the people that have come through my life for the good that they gave me."
Min Ah, described by People as an L.A.-area actress and artist, had been linked to Carrey as early as February 2022, when the two were photographed leaving a charity comedy show in Los Angeles. However, the nature and length of their relationship remained a mystery—until now. At the César Awards, Carrey’s public declaration of affection for Min Ah, calling her his "sublime companion," seemed to signal a new chapter for the actor, who has often remarked on the value of love and connection in his life.
Carrey’s speech was not without its lighter moments. He ended with a self-deprecating joke about his French: "Almost mediocre, right? Forgive me, I didn’t speak French, but I’m just learning it. My tongue is tired," he quipped, drawing laughter from the crowd, as reported by People and InStyle. The moment was classic Carrey—mixing sincerity with humor, and never missing a beat to entertain.
While the César Awards celebrated Carrey’s legacy, the actor himself has recently hinted at stepping back from the limelight. His most recent film role was as the villainous Dr. Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, released in 2024. This capped off a trilogy that began in 2020, marking a rare return for Carrey after he publicly mused about retirement during the promotion of the second Sonic film. Speaking to Access Hollywood in 2022, Carrey said, "I really like my quiet life, and I really love putting paint on canvas, and I really love my spiritual life, and I feel like—and this is something you might never hear another celebrity say as long as time exists—I have enough. I've done enough. I am enough."
Carrey’s journey from humble beginnings in Newmarket, Ontario, to the heights of Hollywood and now the grand stages of Europe, is the stuff of legend. As a child, he was the youngest of four and began honing his comedic chops in school, as E! News recounted. Encouraged by his father Percy, Carrey started performing stand-up at Toronto’s Yuk Yuk’s comedy club, eventually catching the eye of Rodney Dangerfield and touring with the comedy legend. His early struggles included bombing on stage in a yellow suit made by his mother—a story he has shared with characteristic candor and humor.
Carrey’s career is dotted with milestones: back-to-back Golden Globe wins for The Truman Show and Man on the Moon, a celebrated turn as Andy Kaufman that saw him plunge into method acting (and, by all accounts, some rather odd on-set behavior involving Limburger cheese), and a string of box office hits that made him one of the highest-paid actors of the 1990s and 2000s. He once wrote himself a $10 million check for "acting services rendered"—a goal he hit with Dumb and Dumber and reportedly buried with his father, a poignant gesture that speaks to the importance of family in his life.
Despite his fame, Carrey has maintained strong ties to Canada, becoming a dual citizen in 2004 and earning a spot on the Canadian Walk of Fame. A decade later, he was honored with a Canada Post stamp, though, as E! News wryly noted, he has yet to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
At the 2026 César Awards, Carrey’s presence was about more than just trophies or accolades. It was a celebration of a man who has made millions laugh, who has weathered personal storms, and who, on a chilly night in Paris, chose to share his gratitude—and his heart—with the world. The photos from the event, published by PEOPLE and AFP, show Carrey beaming with his family and Min Ah, his honorary César Award in hand. It’s a portrait of a performer at peace, surrounded by those he loves.
For fans and onlookers alike, Carrey’s night at the César Awards was a reminder that behind every comedic mask lies a deeply human story—one of resilience, reinvention, and, above all, connection.