Jim Carrey thanks 'sublime companion' Mina as jim carrey accepts honorary César at 51st awards
jim carrey accepted this year’s honorary César at the 51st edition of France’s César Awards, delivering an emotional speech entirely in French and thanking family members who attended. The moment stood out because he tied the honor to a personal ancestral revelation and closed with a self-deprecating line: "My tongue is tired. "
Honorary César presented at the 51st edition drew the French film establishment to its feet
The 51st edition of France’s César Awards saw the actor take the stage to receive this year’s honorary award, an honor traditionally given to an international star; last year’s recipient was Julia Roberts. Jim Carrey energized the room, getting what the ceremony called the crème de la crème of French cinema on their feet as he accepted the distinction.
Speech delivered entirely in French and introduced by Michel Gondry
Carrey delivered an emotional speech entirely in French, speaking with a thick American accent. He was introduced on stage by Michel Gondry, who directed him in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 22 years ago. During the address, Carrey used a theatrical image to describe acting, saying, in French, that each character is "like clay in the sculptor’s hands, which you shape to your heart’s desire, " and noting how fortunate he has been to share the art with people who opened their hearts to him.
He thanked family members by name, including daughter Jane and grandson Jackson
Carrey attended the event with his daughter Jane, his grandson Jackson and his girlfriend Mina. In his remarks he offered explicit thanks: "Thank you to my wonderful family, my daughter Jane, and my grandson Jackson. I love you now and forever. " He also addressed Mina directly, calling her his "sublime companion" and saying, "I love you, Mina. "
Tribute to his father Percy Joseph Carrey during the acceptance
The actor closed part of his list of thank-yous with his father’s name, invoking Percy Joseph Carrey and the lessons he imparted. Carrey called his father "the funniest man I have ever known" and said Percy Joseph Carrey taught him "the value of love, generosity, and laughter. "
Ancestral revelation tied to wordplay: Marc-François Carré from Saint Malo
Carrey revealed a family history detail onstage, saying that about 300 years ago his great, great, great, great, great, great-grandfather Marc-François Carré was born in France, in Saint Malo, and later emigrated to Canada. He then made a linguistic connection, declaring that "tonight with this magnificent honor, this square (carré in French) has come full circle. "
Final joke and the closing line: "My tongue is tired"
At the end of his speech, Carrey turned to the audience with a question about his language skills: "So, how was my French? Almost mediocre, right? Forgive me, I didn’t speak French, but I’m just learning it. " He finished with the memorable line, "My tongue is tired. "
