Jim Carrey Tried to Give Back $20 Million ‘Grinch’ Paycheck, Almost Quit Film Over Heartbreaking Reason

Jim Carrey recently opened up about the extreme challenges he faced while playing the Grinch in the 2000 film How the Grinch Stole Christmas, revealing that he almost quit and offered to return his $20 million salary.

The actor shared his experiences in an oral history with Vulture to mark the 25th anniversary of the movie, directed by Ron Howard.

Carrey explained that the transformation into the Grinch was excruciating. He wore heavy prosthetics, full-body makeup, and a suit made of itchy yak hair, which made moving and even scratching nearly impossible. “I had ten-inch-long fingers, so I couldn’t scratch myself or touch my face or do anything,” he said.

His eyes were covered by full-contact lenses, allowing only a tiny tunnel of vision, and he had to mouth-breathe because the prosthetic blocked his nose. Carrey described the teeth, makeup, and suit as so uncomfortable that he experienced panic attacks during filming. Director Ron Howard said Carrey would lie on the floor with a brown paper bag between takes just to cope with the stress.

The makeup process was so extreme that Carrey considered quitting after his first eight-hour session in the chair. “He was ready to give his $20 million back! I mean, he was sincere,” Howard recalled. To help him endure the grueling process, the team brought in Richard Marcinko, a military and CIA endurance trainer, who taught Carrey techniques to manage the discomfort, including small physical exercises and pattern-changing tricks. Carrey credited music from the Bee Gees as a key part of surviving the long makeup sessions.

Legendary makeup artist Rick Baker, who won an Oscar for the film, revealed that the studio originally suggested simply painting Carrey green. Baker disagreed, arguing that the Grinch needed a full fantasy design to match Dr. Seuss’s vision.

After public outcry, Universal Studios finally agreed to Baker’s full prosthetic design. Special effects artist Kazuhiro Tsuji added that Carrey’s perfectionism made each makeup session intense, often demanding small changes from one day to the next.

Despite the hardships, Carrey said he would consider returning to the role with modern motion capture technology instead of traditional makeup. “The thing about it is, on the day, I do that with a ton of makeup and can hardly breathe. It was an extremely excruciating process. The children were in my mind all the time. ‘It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids.’ And now, with motion capture and things like that, I could be free to do other things,” he said.

This behind-the-scenes look highlights just how far Carrey went to bring the Grinch to life, showing his dedication to the character beyond the comfort and glamour of a blockbuster paycheck.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!