From iconic roles in How the Grinch Stole Christmas to the thought-provoking The Truman Show, Carrey has built an impressive and diverse resume. He’s known for his ability to seamlessly blend comedy and drama.
Fans can even look forward to his return to the screen as Doctor Eggman in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which is set to hit theaters just in time for the holiday season.
Carrey starred in the 2013 sequel Kick-Ass 2, portraying the character of Sal Bertolinni, also known as Colonel Stars and Stripes. The role saw him take on the persona of a baseball-bat-wielding vigilante in the edgy superhero franchise.
Unlike many actors who distance themselves from projects with a bad reputation or poor reviews, Carrey’s reasons for stepping back from this film are deeply personal.
In December 2012, a gunman attacked Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, taking the lives of 26 innocent people. The tragedy left the nation in mourning and had a profound effect on Carrey.
Shaken by the horrific event, Carrey made a personal decision to avoid participating in films that showcase excessive violence in the future.
He added: “I meant to say my apologies to others involve [sic] with the film. I am not ashamed of it but recent events have caused a change in my heart.”
Carrey’s statements sparked a wave of criticism, particularly from Mark Millar, a Scottish comic-book writer and executive producer of Kick-Ass 2.
He defended the film’s tone and content, explaining: “Yes, the body count is very high, but a movie called Kick-Ass 2 really has to do what it says on the tin. A sequel to the picture that gave us Hit Girl was always going to have some blood on the floor and this should have been no shock to a guy who enjoyed the first movie so much…”
Millar even added a touch of humor to his response, noting: “Like Jim, I’m horrified by real-life violence (even though I’m Scottish), but Kick-Ass 2 isn’t a documentary. No actors were harmed in the making of this production!”
