MovieChat Forums > Jim Carrey Discussion > Would you rank him among comedy legends ...

Would you rank him among comedy legends like Chaplin, Groucho and Peter Sellers?


Also, do you think many years after he's dead, people will put him in the same category of those?

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Nope.

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He's gone off the deep end of crazy, not in a good way.

At one point he was on track to be a comic legend yes.

AND, I wouldn't argue with anyone who called him a legend, he's pretty close.
BUT I'll say no.

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He's dipped the last 10 years or so.

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Exactly. When i think of Jim Carey nowadays i don't think of his comedy, nor being a comedic legend. Now i think of his recent, wouldn’t exactly call it crazy but, bizarre behavior/outlook.
I think THAT is what he’ll be remembered for most. He hasn’t really done comedy is many years now.

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Yes absolutely. Like the guys you mentioned, they've all had their demons, Carrey is no different. His legacy will endure.

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I think something that works against him is that people think he's crazy and don't want to call him a legend based on that. However, Chaplin dated underage women and Sellers was known for being an asshole but they have their place in history

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Exactly. About Sellers and Chaplin I mean. Like I said I think his legacy will endure, regardless of what has happened in his "private" life. His work on In Living Colour, SNL, his 90s success, His work should speak for itself. Even in his dramatic roles he is undeniably brilliant, most notably The Truman Show, Man On The Moon and ESOTSM.

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100% agree

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No, I wouldn't. I like him, but I don't think he has done anything that puts him in the comedy legend category. Maybe one day, depending how the rest of his career goes.

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I think he owned the 90s. Even with Eddie Murphy still being consitently in stuff, Jim was the man.

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He's up there. His ability to parrot physical body language and facial expressions is insane. Look at his first Tonight Show appearance:

https://youtu.be/YWfh0k2inZo

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Most people probably still see him as this type of comedic actor, but he's able to be subtle. He gets points for being able to do drama and comedy.

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Oh yeah he's a fantastic dramatic performer as well. Eternal Sunshine, Man on the Moon, Truman Show, he delivers 100%.

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Lol yes!! I said pretty much the same thing a few post upwards

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I think about it like this. Look at somebody like Phil Spector. He killed somebody, and died in prison, but we will remember his music forever. Jim Carrey is on that level. Even if he completely retired, or only made terrible movies from now on, or even killed someone, his accomplishments will live on. I'd say he absolutely belongs amongst Chaplin, Groucho and Peter Sellers.

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I agree. Even now, he is still getting Golden Globe nominations. I know that doesn't mean a whole lot, as I think award shows are in decline. But still, people in the industry still believe he is a quality entertainer

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Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond was an excellent documentary where you really get to see a little bit into his mind and understand why he's made the choices he has. I think he's brilliant.

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He always struck me as a rather one-trick pony. He milked that over-exaggerated smile and “all-RIGHTY-then” bit for a decade, and I just got sick of seeing that face of his. Maybe he just got over-exposed...like Sandler and Farrell.

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What legacy?

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Of those you list only Sellers is a legend. Chaplin was not funny and a pedophile. Groucho was extremely unfunny and had a Backpfeiffengesicht.

Jim Carrey was funny 30 years ago. For a short while.

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no

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