Jim Carrey brought both gratitude and a touch of romance to the stage at the César Awards, where the comedy legend accepted an honorary prize and delivered a heartfelt speech entirely in French.
Appearing in Paris on Thursday, February 26, the 64-year-old actor was joined by his daughter Jane, 38, her teenage son Jackson, and a woman he referred to as his “companion,” Min Ah — all of whom he singled out during his remarks.
“Thank you to my wonderful family, my daughter Jane, and my grandson Jackson. I love you now and forever. Thank you to my sublime companion, Min Ah,” he said in French, as his loved ones received warm applause from the audience. “I love you, Min Ah. And finally, thank you to the funniest man I have ever known: my father, Percy Joseph Carrey who taught me the value of love, generosity, and laughter.”
Details about Carrey’s relationship with Min Ah remain largely private. She was previously identified as Minzi, a Los Angeles-area actress and artist, after she and Carrey were photographed leaving a charity comedy show hosted by Judd Apatow in 2022.
Carrey shares daughter Jane with his ex-wife Melissa Womer, to whom he was married from 1987 to 1995. He later wed his Dumb and Dumber co-star Lauren Holly from 1996 to 1997.
The French Academy first announced Carrey as the 2025 honorary recipient last fall, praising his “exceptional versatility” across film and television. Ever the performer, he capped his acceptance speech with a self-deprecating joke about his language skills.
“Almost mediocre, right? Forgive me, I didn’t speak French, but I’m just learning it. My tongue is tired,” he quipped, per a translation.
In recent years, Carrey has largely stepped back from Hollywood, though audiences last saw him as the scene-stealing Dr. Robotnik in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. While promoting the second installment in 2022, he famously suggested he was “fairly serious” about retiring from acting.
“I really like my quiet life, and I really love putting paint on canvas, and I really love my spiritual life, and I feel like — and this is something you might never hear another celebrity say as long as time exists – I have enough,” he said at the time. “I’ve done enough. I am enough.”