Jim Carrey sparks ‘unrecognizable’ comments during rare public appearance in Paris

Jim Carrey has sparked a wave of reactions following his recent public appearance in Paris. The star took center stage at the 51st edition of the Cesar Awards, where he was honored, and surprised fans with a striking new look.

For the occasion, the actor, who announced his professional retirement in 2022, wore his hair noticeably longer, falling to his shoulders while keeping his signature middle part. He completed the look with a black tuxedo, buttoned-up black shirt, and matching bow tie, opting for a sleek and understated ensemble.

His first public appearance of the year:

This outing marks Carrey’s first public appearance of 2026. He was last seen at an event in November 2025 during his induction ceremony at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. 

At the time, he wore his hair shorter and slicked back. Now, Carrey has returned to the spotlight with a very different image. Social media reactions were immediate. Some users admitted they could barely recognize him with his new style. “Unrecognizable,” one person wrote, while another added, “It took me a moment to realize it was him.”

© Stephane Cardinale – Corbis

A tribute to his father:

At 64, the Canadian-born, naturalized American comedian appeared deeply moved as he accepted the honorary César. He became emotional when director Michel Gondry recalled their collaboration on ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.’

Meanwhile, actor Emmanuel Curtil, his official French dubbing voice, urged him not to leave the profession. During his acceptance speech, Carrey reflected on his family’s French roots, explaining that around 300 years ago, his great-great-grandfather, Marc François Carrey, left Saint-Malo, France, for Canada, and that receiving the honorary César felt like a meaningful full-circle moment.

© Aurore Marechal

He also paid tribute to his father, Percy Joseph Carrey, describing him as the funniest man he had ever known and crediting him with teaching him about love, generosity, and laughter. Carrey shared that his father used to tell him that if you want fortune to smile at you, you must first smile at it, a lesson he said is difficult but worth striving for, adding that he will always smile when he remembers him.

The French Academy described the “king of comedy” as “one of the most original voices in modern cinema,” praising his work both on and off screen and noting that his journey “embodies relentless audacity, constantly pushing the boundaries of performance and art.”

© Stephane Cardinale – Corbis

During the ceremony, the star proved that his comic timing remains as sharp as ever. True to form, he delivered a string of impossible facial expressions, exaggerated glances, and theatrical poses that sent the audience into fits of laughter, turning his acceptance into a mini-show of its own.

Increasingly rare appearances:

In recent years, Carrey has significantly scaled back his public presence and has not taken on new roles since ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3,’ released in 2024. 

The actor has previously spoken about distancing himself from the film industry. In a 2018 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jim Carrey explained that he no longer wanted to be in the business, citing dissatisfaction with the direction of the industry and the increasing influence of corporations. 

He also noted that he felt drawn to a different kind of creative outlet, particularly painting, where he appreciated having full control without the input of committees focused on broad appeal.

© Stephane Cardinale – Corbis

Since stepping away from Hollywood, Carrey has devoted much of his time to visual art, focusing on painting, drawing, sculpture and political cartoons. In another interview, he said he no longer feels like he is striving to hold onto a place at the top of the industry and does not feel attached to maintaining that status.

As for a possible return to acting, Carrey has indicated that he feels fulfilled with what he has accomplished and is enjoying his quieter life. However, he has left the door open to coming back under exceptional circumstances, suggesting he would consider returning if presented with a project he felt was truly meaningful and important for audiences to see.

For now, his appearance in Paris has been enough to spark renewed interest, underscoring that even in relative distance from Hollywood, Carrey continues to draw significant public attention.