Jim Carrey Thanks 'Sublime Companion' Mina as He Accepts César Awards Honor
jim carrey was honored at the 51st César Awards in France with this year’s honorary César, drawing a standing ovation from the country's film community after delivering an emotional speech entirely in French. The actor used the moment to thank family members and his companion, Mina, and to trace his ancestry back to France.
Honorary César and a French-speaking address
The 51st edition of the César Awards put the spotlight on the actor as he received the honorary award traditionally reserved for an international star, a distinction given to last year’s recipient, Julia Roberts. Carrey delivered his remarks in French, speaking with a thick American accent as he addressed attendees and acknowledged the significance of the moment.
Introduced by Michel Gondry, tied to Eternal Sunshine
Michel Gondry introduced Carrey on stage; Gondry directed him in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 22 years ago. The introduction preceded Carrey’s remarks about the craft of acting and the connections he has formed through his work.
Reflections on craft and a family revelation
In French, Carrey said that each character an actor plays is like clay in a sculptor’s hands that one shapes to the heart’s desire, and he spoke of his fortune in sharing that art with many people who opened their hearts to him. He revealed that “about 300 years ago” his great, great, great, great, great, great-grandfather, Marc-François Carré, was born in France, in Saint-Malo, and emigrated to Canada—an ancestral detail he tied to the honor by saying the carré has come full circle.
Family present: Jane, Jackson and Mina
The actor attended the ceremony with his daughter Jane, his grandson Jackson and his girlfriend, Mina. Onstage he gave explicit thanks to his family, naming his daughter Jane and his grandson Jackson, and called Mina “my sublime companion, ” saying, “I love you, Mina. ”
Personal gratitude and a comic, self-aware finish
Carrey also paid tribute to his father, naming Percy Joseph Carrey and crediting him with teaching the value of love, generosity and laughter. At the end of his speech he asked the audience, “So, how was my French? Almost mediocre, right? Forgive me, I didn’t speak French, but I’m just learning it. My tongue is tired. ” jim carrey’s remarks mixed heartfelt thanks with the comic humility that has marked his career, and they secured a warm reception from the assembled French film community.
