Jim Carrey, honored with an Honorary César Award on Thursday evening, delivered an emotional acceptance speech entirely in French, revealing his family’s roots in the French port city of Saint-Malo. The rare public appearance by the actor, who has largely stepped back from the spotlight, comes as the film industry continues to celebrate his decades-long career.
During the 51st César Awards, Carrey recounted how his great-great-great-grandfather, Marc-François Carrey, emigrated from Saint-Malo to Canada around 300 years ago. He reflected on the significance of the moment, stating, “Tonight with this magnificent honor, this “square” has come full circle.”
The actor, introduced by director Michel Gondry, who collaborated with him on “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” 22 years ago, became visibly moved as Gondry reminisced about their work together. Actor Emmanuel Curtil, who voices Carrey in French dubs, also pleaded with him not to retire.
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Carrey’s speech, delivered with a noticeable American accent, also included a tribute to his late father, Percy Joseph Carrey, whom he credited with teaching him “the value of love, generosity, and laughter.” He playfully concluded by questioning his own French, asking, “Mediocre, right?”
Jim Carrey in Saint-Malo
The actor’s French heritage has been well-known in Saint-Malo, where the Barocks association recently traced his genealogy. They sent the documentation to Carrey on January 17, 2026, which contributed to his remarks during the César Awards ceremony. In a fitting coincidence, the association unveiled the sign for a new comedy venue, “Jim Carré Comedy,” on the same evening as his speech.
Located on Rue Sainte-Marguerite, the venue is described as a “comedy-room, a kind of pocket theater” decorated in homage to Carrey. Beginning in mid-March, it will host stand-up comedy, magic shows, and other performance art, as well as artist residencies. The space will also be available for private events.
“By naming the venue after Jim Carrey, our association pays tribute to the actor’s roots in Saint-Malo, whereas also celebrating the art that made him famous: stand-up, this modern form of piracy where we steal laughter from the audience,” the association explained. Carrey began his career in stand-up before achieving widespread recognition in the 1990s.
Carrey has become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces, starring in comedies like “The Mask,” “Dumb and Dumber,” and “Ace Ventura,” and earning Golden Globe awards for his performances in “The Truman Show” and “Man on the Moon.” Often compared to comedic legends like Jerry Lewis and Charlie Chaplin, Carrey is celebrated for his remarkable physical comedy and ability to mimic a wide range of characters.
The town of Saint-Malo is hoping to welcome Carrey in person, according to Vincent Gaillard of the Barocks association: “We had contact from the Saint-Malo town hall asking if we could position them in touch with Jim Carrey’s manager. So for us, it would be great.” A visit would be a welcome addition for Saint-Malo and the new performance space, which aims to honor the actor’s comedic legacy.
