Carrey

Carrey is a surname of Irish origin, a variant of Carey. It derives from the Gaelic Ó Ciardha, meaning “descendant of Ciardha,” with Ciardha itself linked to a word often interpreted as “dark” or “black.” The spelling Carrey is found in parts of Ireland and is widely present in North America, reflecting Irish diaspora and immigration patterns. Variants of the name include Carey and Cary.

Jim Carrey (born 1962) is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, and artist who became a prominent figure in film and television during the 1990s and 2000s. He was born in Newmarket, Ontario, and rose to fame on the sketch show In Living Color. Carrey achieved widespread recognition for comedies such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber. He later received critical attention for dramatic performances in The Truman Show (Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy) and Man on the Moon (Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination in 1999–2000). He has also contributed voice work in Horton Hears a Who! and appeared in the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog film series as the antagonist Dr. Robotnik. Carrey’s career encompasses comedy, drama, and animation, and he is noted for his versatility and distinctive improvisational style.

Beyond Jim Carrey, the surname Carrey appears in genealogical and public records across the English-speaking world, reflecting its Irish roots and North American distribution. While Jim Carrey is the most internationally recognized bearer of the name, others with the surname have contributed to varied fields, including entertainment, business, and public life, though none have achieved the same level of global prominence.