Jim Carrey is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, breaking through in wacky comedies such as “The Mask” and the “Ace Ventura” movies, while later showcasing his flair for drama in acclaimed films such as “The Truman Show.” Carrey famously got his start on the Fox sketch-comedy show “In Living Color,” making him a breakout star thanks to Fire Marshall Bill, Vera De Milo, and other hilarious characters.
Prior to joining “In Living Color,” Carrey auditioned for “Saturday Night Live” on several occasions — and was passed by each time. In fact, Carrey’s audition tape was played during the “SNL” 40th anniversary special, featuring a bonkers impression he dubbed “post-nuclear Elvis.”
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The first of those auditions was when Carrey was just 18, for the 1980 season, in which exec producer Michaels wasn’t involved. For Carrey’s subsequent audition, Michaels was back in charge — but didn’t see it. “I wasn’t at the Jim Carrey audition, but somebody who was there said, ‘I don’t think Lorne would like it,’ and they were probably wrong, but it doesn’t matter,” Michaels told Vanity Fair in 2015. “Or maybe they were right — who knows? No one gets it all right.” Interviewed by the New York Times, Dana Carvey recalled auditioning alongside Carrey. “I thought, ‘Oh, you’re going to get it, Jim,'” Carvey recalled, remembering that Phil Hartman — then a member of the cast — was also certain Carrey would make it. They were both wrong, and he was rejected again.
