Jim Carrey’s Romantic Journey: A Look Back at His High-Profile Relationships
Hollywood funnyman Jim Carrey, known for his rubber-faced antics and unforgettable roles, recently made headlines not just for accepting an Honorary César Award in Paris, but for bringing his girlfriend, Min Ah, to the prestigious event. Carrey affectionately referred to her as his “sublime companion” during his acceptance speech, hinting at the significance of this new chapter in his love life. This public acknowledgement has sparked renewed interest in the actor’s extensive dating history, which includes two marriages and a string of high-profile relationships with well-known stars.
Born in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, on January 17, 1962, Carrey’s journey to stardom began early. The youngest of four children, he discovered his knack for impressions at the tender age of eight, mimicking faces in the mirror. By fifteen, he was performing stand-up comedy, and by sixteen, he had left school to pursue his passion professionally. His early career involved stand-up gigs and sketch comedy before he eventually relocated to the United States in 1983 at the age of 21.
Early Days and First Love: Linda Ronstadt
Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Carrey began honing his craft at the iconic Comedy Store. It was there he met American singer Linda Ronstadt. Sixteen years his senior and already a celebrated artist, Ronstadt was reportedly seeking a comedian to open for her shows. Carrey, in a candid 2014 interview, recalled Ronstadt’s proposition and his bold reply: “No, but I’ll go out with you if you want.” This led to an eight-month relationship, a period Carrey later reflected on in his 2020 semi-autobiographical novel, Memoirs and Misinformation. He wrote that Ronstadt held a special place in the book, not as a mere “boy-toy,” but as someone who treated him with immense respect and recognised his burgeoning talent, predicting his future success. By the following year, Carrey’s career was gaining momentum with a role in the sitcom The Duck Factory and appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Marriage and Motherhood: Melissa Womer
While still striving for mainstream success, Carrey met Melissa Womer, an aspiring actress and cocktail waitress at The Comedy Store. Womer is credited with encouraging Carrey to pursue his dreams. The couple married on March 28, 1987, and welcomed their daughter, Jane, just six months later. During this time, Womer reportedly juggled two jobs to support the family while Carrey worked for a modest $25 per night. Carrey’s career trajectory changed dramatically when he joined the cast of the sketch comedy show In Living Color (1990-1994) and landed his first leading film role in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994). However, his rising fame coincided with the breakdown of his marriage.
Womer expressed feeling blindsided by their separation in a 1995 interview, stating that things were fine until Carrey left to film Ace Ventura. Upon his return, she felt he was a different person. According to reports, Womer confronted him, saying, “You must come home and put your feet back on the ground and take your garbage out like everyone else, or I can’t be married to you.” Carrey, she claimed, “called my bluff.” She later stated that the day he began filming Ace Ventura as “Mr. Carrey,” he decided to experience success as a single man. The divorce proceedings were reportedly contentious, with Carrey claiming they separated six months earlier than Womer stated, allegedly to avoid paying her half of his earnings from Ace Ventura and The Mask. The settlement was reached privately before the divorce was finalised in 1995. Years later, in 2003, Womer sought an increase in child support payments, which was also settled out of court.
On-Screen Chemistry, Off-Screen Romance: Lauren Holly
Carrey’s next significant relationship was with his Dumb and Dumber co-star, Lauren Holly. They had initially met when Holly auditioned for Ace Ventura, though she didn’t get the part. Soon after, she was cast opposite Carrey in Dumb and Dumber. This timing led to Holly being labelled a “homewrecker,” despite the couple’s insistence that Carrey and Womer had already separated when their romance began. However, Womer’s claims that they were together before the split only fuelled the rumours. Carrey and Holly married on September 23, 1996, but their union was short-lived, lasting less than a year before Holly filed for divorce.
A “Last Great Love”? Renée Zellweger
Continuing his trend of dating co-stars, Carrey entered into a high-profile romance with actress Renée Zellweger. The pair reportedly met on the set of the film Me, Myself and Irene in 1999. Their relationship lasted for about a year, and they were rumoured to be engaged before parting ways in late 2000. Bobby Farrelly, a co-director of Me, Myself and Irene, commented at the time that Carrey was clearly smitten with Zellweger. In a 2020 interview, Carrey spoke fondly of his ex, telling Howard Stern that Zellweger was “very special” and that he considered her “lovely.” He went even further in a 2020 interview with Vanity Fair, describing Zellweger as his “last great love.”
A Public Stand: Jenny McCarthy
Following a brief relationship with actress January Jones, Carrey began dating Jenny McCarthy. They first met in 2005 and their relationship became public the following year. During their time together, Carrey became a supporter of McCarthy’s advocacy for safer vaccines, particularly in relation to her son Evan’s autism. Carrey even campaigned for vaccine safety, aligning with McCarthy’s unproven claims of a link between immunisation and the condition. In 2009, the couple reportedly held a commitment ceremony in Malibu, but their relationship ended a year later. The split was confirmed by Carrey’s representative, and McCarthy issued a statement expressing gratitude for their time together and her intention to remain a part of Carrey’s daughter Jane’s life. When asked about the reasons for their breakup on The Oprah Winfrey Show, McCarthy remarked, “The first thing is, when it’s not fun anymore, you need to start investigating and do an inquiry into the relationship.” She also noted that she had learned not to let her identity become solely defined by being a celebrity’s girlfriend.
A Tragic Connection: Cathriona White
From 2012 to 2015, Carrey was in a relationship with Irish-born makeup artist Cathriona White. Their on-again, off-again romance ended just four days before White’s death on September 28, 2015. Her passing was attributed to a prescription drug overdose and was ruled a suicide by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Carrey served as a pallbearer at her funeral in Ireland. However, a year later, White’s estranged husband filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Carrey, alleging his connection to the prescription drugs found at the scene. White’s mother also filed a similar lawsuit. Both cases were dismissed in 2018.
A New Beginning: Min Ah
In more recent times, Carrey attended the 2019 Golden Globe Awards with US comedian Ginger Gonzaga, though their relationship reportedly ended after a year. Since then, Carrey has largely kept his private life out of the public eye until his appearance at the César Awards in Paris. He was accompanied by a woman identified as Min Ah. While little is publicly known about her, her presence alongside Carrey at such a significant event underscores the importance of their relationship. Media reports suggest she is the same woman photographed with Carrey at a charity comedy show in February 2022, where she was identified by Just Jared as Minzi, an LA-based actress and artist. Min Ah’s presence also indicates the approval of Carrey’s daughter, Jane, who is reportedly close to her father. Carrey himself expressed his love for his “sublime companion, Min Ah,” and also thanked his “wonderful family, my daughter Jane, and my grandson Jackson,” highlighting the strong familial bonds he cherishes.
