After twelve years of auditions and a string of mediocre slapstick comedies, things seriously turned around. In the year 1990, Jim Carrey got his first big break (many more would follow) with the American sketch comedy show “In Living Color.”
The show was a fantastic stepping stone for the actor who could now show off his comedy chops on a national television show. Other comedians got their foot in the door with that show too, including the Wayans Brothers and Jamie Foxx. The show was a big hit and ran for an entirety of five seasons. Carrey was in them from start to finish.
"Rubberface"
Making it in Hollywood is not for the faint of heart, and Carrey realized that. But then along came a film called "Rubberface" and seemed to be the perfect fit at the time. The 1981 film was only under an hour-long, but he would be the lead.
In the film, he portrayed a struggling comedian (sounds about right) who helped an overweight girl gain confidence, and she, in turn, helped him write better jokes. While Carrey's performances were great, the movie was not very well received.
The Rest of the 1980s
Following "Rubberface," more low-budget '80s films kept coming. He starred in the sitcom "The Duck Factory" and the horror-comedy "Once Bitten." Of course, the rejection from "Saturday Night Live" was met with quite a lot of disappointment.
Even with a part in a movie, Carrey had profoundly wished for an opportunity to be apart of the SNL cast, but it turns out that his audition tape didn't even make it to Lorne Michaels, the creator, and producer of the show.
In Living Color
"In Living Color" was the first of its kind. In the era of live sketch shows, a group of up-and-coming African American comedians created the show. It was funny, and it facilitated some much-needed representation of American diversity. The show was created by Keenan Ivory Wayans and bred a generation of long-lasting talent.
The show starred the Wayans siblings (Damon Wayans and Marlon Wayans), Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey, and even Jennifer Lopez appeared. The show ran for four years, from April 15, 1990, to May 19, 1994.
A Very Lucky Year
Carrey's four-year stint on "In Living Color" undoubtedly cemented his status as a potential star. The show helped establish him as a major comedic lead, and soon the movie offers started to roll in. It seemed like as soon as the show ended in the year 1994, things only went up.
That same year the actor secured parts in three massive movies. "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective," "The Mask," and "Dumb and Dumber." Within just one year, the actor was earning eight-figure paychecks.