Jim Carrey Reveals the Grinch Role He Hated – But Is Open to Returning!

Jim Carrey’s career is synonymous with over-the-top performances and a diverse range of memorable characters, from the lovable yet dim-witted Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and Dumber to the manic Dr. Robotnik in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. He’s also captivated audiences with serious roles, such as the emotionally complex Joel Barish in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and the naive protagonist of The Truman Show. But one character, in particular, has become an annual favorite that continues to bring Carrey’s signature brand of unhinged comedy into holiday homes: The Grinch.

The Grinch, from the 2000 live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, is a role Carrey famously hated while making the film. The actor’s portrayal of the green, holiday-hating villain was both disturbing and hilarious, turning the character into a cinematic legend. However, behind the scenes, Carrey’s experience was anything but fun.

In a recent interview with Comic Book, Carrey opened up about the excruciating process of bringing the Grinch to life. “The thing about it is, on the day, I do that with a ton of makeup and can hardly breathe,” he explained. The Grinch’s elaborate makeup, created by seven-time Oscar-winning makeup artist Rick Baker, took two and a half hours to apply every day. Carrey described the process as being akin to “buried alive” and admitted that it made him irritable, often disappearing from set and holding up production for extended periods of time. In a show of solidarity, director Ron Howard once donned the Grinch suit himself, and even invited actor Don Knotts to the set, knowing that Carrey was a fan.

Despite the painful experience, Carrey’s portrayal of the Grinch has become one of his most iconic roles. The movie was a massive box office success, earning over $340 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film in the U.S. in 2000 and the second-highest-grossing Christmas film of all time, behind Home Alone. While Carrey’s experience on set was less than enjoyable, the end result proved to be more than worth the effort for both Carrey and the film’s legacy.

So why would Carrey even consider returning to the role that caused him so much distress? In his interview, Carrey revealed that he would be open to revisiting the Grinch—if the right technology could be used to make the process less grueling. “With motion capture and things like that, I could be free to do other things,” he said. “Anything is possible in this world.” Carrey’s openness to a return suggests that, while the memories of those grueling makeup sessions are still fresh, the right conditions could bring the Grinch back to life.

When asked about what motivated him during the original filming, Carrey reflected on the pressure to create a beloved character for children. “The children were in my mind all the time,” he said. “‘It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids.’” The stakes were high, as Carrey had never really done a children’s movie before, and the 1966 animated special based on the book, narrated by Boris Karloff, had already become a holiday classic. In this context, Carrey’s Grinch surpassed expectations and became a fixture in holiday celebrations worldwide.

Despite the physical toll, it’s clear that Carrey’s heart was in the right place for the role. The success of How the Grinch Stole Christmas solidified his place as a beloved holiday character, and the film’s continued relevance, especially with the success of the 2018 animated adaptation, shows that there’s still a strong appetite for Grinch-related content.

Could Jim Carrey be coaxed back into the Grinch suit once more? While he’s left the door open for a return, it’s unclear if the idea of donning the green hair and makeup again is enough to lure him back. After all, as Carrey himself noted, “Anything is possible.” Whether fans will see the Grinch again—or whether the character’s green menace remains in retirement—remains to be seen. For now, it seems the Grinch’s future is as unpredictable as the actor who first brought him to life.