In Hollywood, there are some names that pop up when the words ‘method acting’ are mentioned. From Christian Bale to Daniel Day-Lewis to Robert de Niro to Al Pacino, these actors have made their names because of their ability to enmesh themselves into their characters. So much so, that sometimes it’s difficult to separate the two entities.
Another name that comes to mind is that of Jim Carrey. In all his movies, he has managed to mold himself into the character he is playing and become one with it. While playing American entertainer Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon, Carrey had invested so much of himself in the character, that he insisted on being called Andy instead of Jim, even when the cameras were not rolling.
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Jim Carrey Refused to be Called by His Name
While filming for Man on the Moon, Jim Carrey became Andy Kaufman. Whether the cameras were rolling or not, Carrey insisted the film crew refer to him as Andy instead of Jim. The actor himself said that the whole episode of filming took a toll on him mentally. In a documentary shot by Chris Smith, Jim Carrey said (via THR),
“It was psychotic at times. Jim Carrey didn’t exist at that time,” he said. “Andy actually affected The Grinch as well.”
Smith said in an interview with Yahoo that it was difficult to separate Carrey from his role.
“That was most attractive thing about doing the movie: I didn’t know who Jim was anymore. I didn’t have a good sense about where he was in his life, and I thought he felt very underexposed in that way.”
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Man on the Moon Changed Jim Carrey As an Actor
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond – Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton, was the documentary shot by Chris Smith about the actor and the filming of the movie.
It featured footage that was originally shot for an electronic press kit of Man on the Moon. Carrey said in the documentary (via THR),
“The true author of the project is Andy and his genius, the fact that he committed so completely to what he did, really made that possible and made it essential for me to lose myself. I don’t feel like I made the film at all. I feel like Andy made the film.”
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Carrey spoke as if Kaufman himself was orchestrating the whole thing. Considering the interview, It’s easy to forget that it was Carrey who was embodying the role of Andy Kaufman in the movie. Even a method actor like Daniel Day-Lewis would hesitate before enmeshing himself with a character to such an extent.
Man on the Moon is available for rent on Apple TV.
