Jim Carrey made 140 times more than Jeff Daniels for 'Dumb and Dumber'

Many people may not have realized this, but Jim Carrey released three films in theaters in 1994: 'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective' in February, 'The Mask' in November, and 'Dumb and Dumber' in December.

Releasing 'Dumb and Dumber' in December allowed the actor to go from the $400,000 he asked the production company at first to the $7 million he would end up making for playing Lloyd Christmas in the famous comedy.

Photo: New Line Cinema

The tragedy is that his partner and friend, Jeff Daniels, who played Harry Dunne, would only charge $50,000 for the other lead role in this legendary comedy. That's 140 times less than Jim Carrey. How could this happen?

Photo: New Line Cinema

We have to go back to the beginning of 1994 when Jim Carrey was a well-known actor but not the star he would become thanks to 'Ace Ventura'.

At first, the studio offered Jim Carrey $350,000 for the role, but he rejected it and asked for $400,000, recalls the director, Peter Farrelly, in The Hollywood Reporter.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio decided to wait for Ace Ventura's results. Once the movie became number one, the studio agreed to give Carrey $400,000. But then he replied that he wanted $500,000.

In the photo, Jim Carrey with Lauren Holly (Mary Swanson in the film)

As long as the negotiation lasted, Jim Carrey's salary went up. From the $400,000 he initially asked for, they went to the $7 million he would end up receiving. It was nearly half of the total budget of $17 million.

And then there was Jeff Daniels. The actor was better known than Jim Carrey, he had a richer background in acting, but he had never done a comedy. In fact, the studio did not want him, so they made him a ridiculous offer: $50,000. To their surprise, he agreed.

Why? Daniels explained it himself on 'The Rich Eisen Show' in 2021. He wanted to dedicate himself to comedy and auditioned, read, and recorded with Jim. Both Jim Carrey and the Farrelly brothers (the screenwriters/directors) wanted him too, but the studio preferred a comedian.

Photo: New Line Cinema

Finally, the scenes they shot that week pleased the production company, and Jeff Daniels ended up forming a historic comedy couple with Jim Carrey.

In fact, beyond money and fame, Jeff Daniels still considers Jim Carrey as one of his best friends after 30 years. Their friendship was forged with the movie, even if there was a 140-fold salary difference.

By the way, the film was profitable like few others. Even though a considerable 17 million had been invested, it ended up grossing more than 247 million dollars worldwide. It was a great deal for everyone, even for Jeff Daniels.

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