Jim Carrey is a whirlwind. Most of us grew up watching him contort his face into impossible shapes, screaming "Alrighty then!" or wearing a green mask that turned him into a cartoon come to life. But away from the $20 million paychecks and the bright lights of Hollywood sets, his personal life has been just as chaotic and dramatic as any of his movies. If you've ever found yourself wondering who was Jim Carrey married to, you’re looking at a history that spans the very beginning of his career to the absolute height of his 90s fame.
He wasn't always the mega-star. Back in the 80s, he was just a guy struggling to make it in the L.A. comedy scene, living on a prayer and stand-up sets.
The First Marriage: Melissa Womer (1987–1995)
Honestly, Melissa Womer is the one who saw it all. She was there before the private jets and the mansions. They met at the iconic Comedy Store in Los Angeles where she was working as a waitress and he was trying to prove he was the funniest man in the room.
They got hitched on March 28, 1987.
It wasn't a glitzy Hollywood wedding. At the time, Jim was barely making $150 a week. Melissa actually worked two jobs—waitressing and doing massages at a health club—just to keep their heads above water while Jim chased his dreams. Their daughter, Jane Erin Carrey, was born later that same year.
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Success and the Strain
As Jim’s career exploded with In Living Color and then the trifecta of 1994 hits—Ace Ventura, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber—the marriage started to buckle. It’s the classic, sad Hollywood trope. The partner who supports the climb gets left behind once the view from the top becomes too intoxicating. Melissa later spoke out about how the sudden influx of "big money, fast cars, and sycophants" changed everything.
They officially split in late 1995. The divorce was messy. There were disputes about the date of separation, mostly because The Mask had just made Jim a fortune, and the timing mattered for the settlement. Melissa eventually walked away with a reported $3.5 million plus $10,000 a month in child support, but the emotional cost seemed much higher.
The Whirlwind: Lauren Holly (1996–1997)
If the first marriage was about the struggle, the second was about the heat of the spotlight. Enter Lauren Holly. You probably remember her as Mary Swanson from Dumb and Dumber.
They met during the audition process for Ace Ventura (she didn't get the part), but sparks flew on the set of their 1994 comedy hit. By the time Jim's divorce from Melissa was finalized, he was already head-over-heels for Lauren.
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They married on September 23, 1996.
It was a beautiful, impulsive hilltop ceremony. Jim famously said at the time that Lauren was his "proof and reward" for trying to live an honorable life. But the reward didn't last long. Not even a full year.
Why did it end so fast?
Less than ten months after saying "I do," Lauren filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. The paparazzi were relentless. Imagine trying to navigate a brand-new marriage while being the most famous couple on the planet. It’s exhausting. Lauren later mentioned that the constant public scrutiny made it almost impossible to just "be." By 1997, it was over.
The Ones That Didn't Make It to the Altar
Even though the answer to who was Jim Carrey married to stops at two names, his dating history is legendary. You can't talk about his romantic life without mentioning the near-misses.
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- Renée Zellweger: They met on Me, Myself & Irene. Jim once called her the "love of his life" in his semi-autographical book. They were engaged for a bit in the late 90s but never actually tied the knot.
- Jenny McCarthy: This was probably his most stable-looking relationship. They were together for five years (2005–2010). They were very public, very vocal about autism advocacy, and seemed like a perfect match until they suddenly announced their breakup on Twitter.
- Cathriona White: This is the tragic chapter. An Irish makeup artist he dated on and off. Her death by suicide in 2015 led to a massive, painful legal battle with her family that lasted years before being dismissed in 2018.
What We Can Learn From Jim's Journey
Jim Carrey has always been open about his struggles with depression and his search for meaning. He’s moved away from the traditional Hollywood lifestyle in recent years, focusing more on painting and philosophy.
Basically, his marriages reflect different eras of his soul. Melissa represents his roots and the grit it took to get famous. Lauren represents the peak of that fame—the "rockstar" phase where everything happens fast and burns out just as quickly.
If you are looking for specific details on his family today, here is the breakdown:
- Total Marriages: 2
- Children: 1 (Jane Erin Carrey)
- Current Status: Single (mostly private)
Your Next Steps
If you're interested in the deeper, more philosophical side of Jim Carrey's life beyond his marriages, you should check out his documentary Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond on Netflix. It gives a lot of context into his mental state during the height of his fame and might explain why his relationships were often so tumultuous. You can also follow his artwork on social media, which is where he expresses most of his personal thoughts these days.