Jim Carrey’s withdrawal from public life has fans wondering whether the actor has permanently retired in favour of an off-grid, low-profile existence.
The once unstoppable king of comedy, fronting global hits like The Mask, Ace Ventura and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, has almost vanished from public view in the last decade.
In the past nine years, the only films he has appeared in were in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.
Sources close to him have now shared what they say is the real reason behind his retreat.
Insiders claim Carrey lives far more simply than his massive fortune might suggest.
A Sun Showbiz source said the actor spends most of his time in Hawaii under a different name, keeping to himself.
Despite receiving film offers every year, he reportedly refuses them all.
The 63-year-old has hinted several times that he is close to retirement, with his 60th birthday said to have sped up his desire to disappear.
One insider said turning 60 forced him to rethink everything and pushed him toward a quieter existence.
The source added Carrey no longer wants anything to do with celebrity life.
“He simply doesn’t want to be part of that world anymore,” the insider explained.
“He is on a spiritual journey and looking for something deeper.”
But those close to him say his departure from Hollywood is not as simple as losing interest.
The actor had a relationship with Irish make-up artist Cathriona White which began in 2012 while she was still married to Mark Burton.
The pair split twice before Cathriona died by suicide in 2015 at age 30.
Her death occurred four days after their second breakup which her note said had left her devastated.
A letter later found on her iPad claimed Carrey exposed her to unhealthy behaviour, which he strongly denied.
The controversy hit his public image hard and both of his 2016 film releases failed at the box office.
Aside from the Sonic role, which he said he accepted for financial reasons, he has not taken major film work since.
His last television role in Kidding ended in 2020 and he has not returned to scripted work.
Another insider said Carrey still gets multiple offers worth millions but turns all of them down.
The source said he believes the industry limits creativity and no longer inspires him.
Carrey’s personal journey has always been complicated, stretching from his Canadian childhood to his rise in Los Angeles.
By the 1990s he had become one of Hollywood’s highest paid stars.
He has been married twice and shares a daughter, Jane, with his first wife Melissa Womer.
He later had well-known relationships with Jenny McCarthy, Renée Zellweger and January Jones.
Insiders say he now follows a life without routine and avoids strict schedules.
They say he wakes whenever he wants, eats what he feels like and sometimes introduces himself by different names when out walking.
He spends most of his time reading, writing and sitting by the ocean for hours.
He is reportedly working on essays and stories he may publish under a pen name so people won’t buy them just for his identity.
Those near him say he writes purely for creative enjoyment and personal expression.
His last public relationship ended in 2019 and he is believed to be single although he still dates occasionally.
He recently sold his long-time Brentwood mansion for 17 million dollars after being forced to drop the price.
Carrey now divides his time between California and Maui where he owns a beachfront home.
He made a rare appearance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction this month but first asked if he could appear by video instead.
Fans noted how smooth and youthful he looked which sparked online theories about cosmetic procedures.
Nothing has confirmed he has had any work and onlookers agreed he looked great regardless.
He reportedly turns down nearly all red carpet invitations and paid appearances.
His inner circle highlighted he is committed to finding calm and spiritual balance above everything else.
One insider said he will likely never make another movie unless he desperately needs money or something truly extraordinary appears.
The source said he has finally found peace after years of emotional battles.
“He says he is happy and I honestly think he means it,” the insider added.