Jim Carrey’s Mortifying Encounter with His Childhood Hero
By Far Out Magazine – Thu 12 June 2025 7:30, UK
The adage "never meet your heroes" is a familiar one, particularly in the cutthroat world of Hollywood, where stars are often surrounded by admirers and fellow celebrities. For many, meeting someone they’ve long looked up to can be a surreal experience, especially when they realise that their idol is, in fact, just a person. This was a lesson that Jim Carrey, the renowned comedian and actor, learnt firsthand when he met his childhood hero, James Stewart, at a Los Angeles church during the 1980s.
Carrey, known for his distinctive and slapstick style in films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Truman Show, The Cable Guy, The Grinch, and Bruce Almighty, has had a unique career spanning multiple genres. However, it was his encounter with Stewart that left a lasting impression on him. According to Carrey, he had heard that Stewart was going to give a reading from the Bible at the church, accompanied by an orchestra. Carrey described the experience, saying, "I heard that he was going to give a reading from the Bible, the story of Christmas, while an orchestra played. This was like a rock concert for me. I mean, it was Jimmy Stewart, and I would have camped out all night. And inside, I just sat there with my mouth gaping open in the front pew, like it was Pearl Jam or something."
As reported by Far Out Magazine, Carrey was so star-struck that he decided to go backstage to meet Stewart, taking the initiative to introduce himself. However, the encounter didn’t quite go as planned. Carrey revealed, "I stood in line to meet him, and by the time I did, I had completely assumed his personality. I thought it would be like Jesus meets John the Baptist. I’d meet him and he’d say, ‘You are the one who’s come to replace me.’ But I think I just embarrassed him. What I learned from it was, don’t honour false gods. You know, nobody in this business is a god. But I was just goo-goo over him, and he got embarrassed and got red and walked away."
This anecdote was shared by Carrey in an interview, as cited by Far Out Magazine. The experience taught Carrey a valuable lesson about the nature of fame and the importance of humility. He realised that, despite his idolisation of Stewart, the actor was still a person, deserving of respect but not worship. This encounter may have influenced Carrey’s own perception of fame, allowing him to approach his career with a more grounded perspective.
The phenomenon of meeting one’s heroes can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a thrilling experience to meet someone you’ve admired for years. On the other, it can be underwhelming when you realise that they are, in fact, human. As Carrey’s experience demonstrates, it’s essential to maintain a level of respect and humility when interacting with celebrities, rather than putting them on a pedestal.
In conclusion, Jim Carrey’s encounter with James Stewart serves as a reminder that, despite their fame and accomplishments, celebrities are still people. As Far Out Magazine reported, Carrey’s experience taught him a valuable lesson about the importance of humility and not idolising those in the entertainment industry. This story offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of Hollywood, where the lines between admiration and idolisation can become blurred.
Source: Far Out Magazine
