Jim Carrey Stuns Paris at César Awards: Honorary Award, Speech in French, and a Rare Girlfriend Reveal
Jim Carrey is back in the spotlight — and the internet cannot stop talking about it. The legendary comedian and actor made his first public appearance of 2026 on Thursday, February 26, at the 51st César Awards ceremony in Paris, where he received an honorary lifetime achievement award from France's film academy. The rare Jim Carrey outing quickly became one of the most talked-about celebrity moments of the week.
Jim Carrey Receives Honorary César Award in Paris
Jim Carrey stepped back into the spotlight Thursday evening, making a rare public appearance at the 51st César Awards in Paris to receive the ceremony's honorary award — France's equivalent of a lifetime achievement honor. The actor, who has largely retreated from public life in recent years to pursue painting and a quieter existence, was visibly moved by the reception he received from the French film industry's elite.
Recent recipients of the honorary César Award have included Julia Roberts in 2025, Christopher Nolan in 2024, David Fincher in 2023, Cate Blanchett in 2022, Robert Redford in 2019, and George Clooney in 2017. Jim Carrey now joins one of the most distinguished lists of honorees in modern cinema history, recognized by France's Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma.
Jim Carrey Delivers Touching Speech Entirely in French
In a touching turn of events, Jim Carrey delivered a heartfelt speech as he accepted his honorary César Award, surprising fans with a rare moment of sincerity. "About three hundred years ago, my great-great-great-great-grandfather, Marc François Carrey, left Saint-Malo in France for Canada. Tonight, with this magnificent honor, this 'square' has come full circle," he said.
Jim Carrey also paid tribute to his father, Percy Joseph Carrey, calling him the funniest man he'd ever known and crediting him with much of his sense of humor. Carrey ended the speech with a display of some of his iconic facial expressions, sending an eruption of laughter through the audience. The crowd gave the actor a standing ovation, one of the warmest receptions of the entire evening in Paris.
Jim Carrey's Girlfriend Revealed: "My Sublime Companion, Min Ah"
A surprising moment came when Jim Carrey shouted out his girlfriend — a rare glimpse into his private life — saying, "Thank you to my sublime companion, Min Ah. I love you." The public acknowledgment marked an unusually open personal moment for the notoriously private actor, whose romantic life has rarely been discussed in public since his retirement from Hollywood.
Jim Carrey confirmed his relationship status in a rare personal update, giving a sweet shoutout to his "sublime companion" at the 2026 César Awards in France. Social media immediately erupted with fans praising the tender moment, calling the brief declaration one of the most unexpectedly sweet celebrity moments of February 2026.
Jim Carrey's New Look Shocks the Internet
Jim Carrey 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. The transformation from his familiar clean-cut Hollywood image was enough to send fans spiraling on social media, with many struggling to immediately recognize him.
Fans and internet users reacted strongly to Jim Carrey's unrecognizable transformation. Some online trolls appeared to think Jim looked a lot different, while others quipped he looked like a clone. Supporters quickly pushed back, noting that the 63-year-old looked healthy, relaxed, and genuinely happy — a contrast to the pressures of his peak Hollywood years.
Jim Carrey's First Public Appearance Since November 2025
This outing marks Jim Carrey's first public appearance of 2026. He was last seen at an event in November 2025 during his induction ceremony at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The gap between appearances underscores just how deliberately the actor has stepped back from public life since formally announcing his retirement from acting in 2022.
In recent years, Jim Carrey has significantly scaled back his public presence and has not taken on new roles since Sonic the Hedgehog 3, released in 2024. Since stepping away from Hollywood, Carrey has devoted much of his time to visual art, focusing on painting, drawing, sculpture, and political cartoons. The French Academy described the "king of comedy" as one of the most original voices in modern cinema, and Thursday night in Paris, the world was reminded exactly why that title still fits.
