In the dynamic world of Hollywood, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy tend to meld, the extraordinary and enigmatic sometimes unfold. Jim Carrey praised for his comedic skill, has shared a truly astonishing and uncanny encounter from his time on the set of Man on the Moon.
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The 61-year-old asserted that his portrayal of the late comedian Andy Kaufman took an otherworldly turn as if the very spirit of Kaufman had seized control for an astonishing four-month period. The enigmatic story of Carrey becoming Kaufman sheds light on a fascinating situation that defies explanation.
Jim Carrey’s Bizarre Behaviour On The Set Of Man On The Moon
In the annals of cinematic history, few tales of on-set abnormality could rival Jim Carrey’s remarkable journey during the making of Man on the Moon.
Carrey, celebrated for his transformative performances, had taken method acting to unparalleled heights when he stepped into the shoes of the enigmatic comedian, Andy Kaufman.
His immersion into the role had been nothing short of extraordinary, often bordering on the bizarre. In Chris Smith’s Netflix documentary Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond, audiences witnessed the behind-the-scenes footage of Man on the Moon for the first time.
The actor had mentioned that the studio had been worried that the footage would reflect poorly on him and that people might think he looked “like an a**hole.”
While making Milos Forman’s biopic about the eccentric comedian Andy Kaufman, The Mask star had gotten lost in the role, staying in character on set for four months of filming. Carrey had stayed in character on set, either as Kaufman or as Kaufman’s moody lounge-lizard character Tony Clifton.
In the documentary, Carrey said that when he got the role, Kaufman’s spirit had tapped him on the shoulder and taken over. Carrey stated, “What happened afterward was out of my control.”
However, the artist had surrendered himself to the spirit of the long-dead entertainer and had allowed himself to be filmed behind the scenes.
The Director Milos Forman had also addressed the situation and pleaded at first with his possessed performer but had eventually understood that he had to address Carrey as Andy to get anything from him.
However, it seemed Carrey’s method acting had resulted in an incredible performance that had won the comedian a Golden Globe; but for the cast and crew, Carrey’s method acting had been seen as unprofessional and disruptive to the production.
Jim Carrey’s Method Acting Received Strong Criticism From Co-Stars
Carrey, glorified for his remarkable talent in immersing himself in roles, embarked on an extraordinary journey when he assumed the persona of Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon.
Throughout his illustrious career in Hollywood, Carrey has earned his place among the most gifted actors and comedians, leaving millions in uproarious laughter.
However, his foray into method acting during the portrayal of Andy Kaufman in the biographical drama led to a clash with fellow actor Martin Freeman. Freeman, deeply troubled by Carrey’s unorthodox dedication, openly criticized the Dumb and Dumber star’s method acting approach.
During a 2021 interview on the Off Menu podcast with hosts James Acaster and Ed Gamble, Martin Freeman candidly expressed his discontent with Carrey’s approach. He stated,
“For me and I’m sure, genuinely sure Jim Carrey is a lovely and smart person, but it was the most self-aggrandizing selfish, f***ing narcissistic, bollocks I’ve ever seen.”
While Carrey’s dedication garnered praise from some quarters, it also provoked criticism, leading to frustration among his co-stars.
Ultimately, his method acting delivered an award-winning performance but left an enduring mark on the film’s production, underscoring the delicate balance between genius and eccentricity in the world of acting.
Source: Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond via Looper
