Jim Carrey is quite discreet when it comes to his relationships. The comedic actor has repeatedly expressed how he prefers to keep his personal life private. He's even mentioned that people get surprised by how serious he actually is behind the camera. So it's understandable that many fans have forgotten about the Bruce Almighty star's short-lived relationship with Renée Zellweger back in 2000. But of all Jim Carrey's exes, many of whom he had longer relationships, it's still Zellweger who he considers his "last great love."
"She definitely was special to me, very special... I think she's lovely," Carrey said about the Academy Award-winning actress in an interview with Howard Stern. Stern asked if the two-time Golden Globe award winner was telling the truth when he wrote that Zellweger was the "last great love of his life" in his satirical autobiography Memoirs and Misinformation. Stern also said that perhaps Carrey wrote that to express his regrets on his relationship with the Judy star.
But here's the real story about their relationship...
How Did Jim Carrey And Renée Zellweger Meet?
Carrey and Zellweger got to know each other well on the set of Me, Myself & Irene in 1999. However, the Bridget Jones's Diary star said that they had met prior to that. She said she'd met him at a dinner party two years before. She said they also had common business associates and friends. But it was on the Farrelly brothers' film that The Mask star really saw the actress. One half of the director duo, Bobby Farrelly said that Carrey "flipped for [Renée] immediately."
Unfortunately for the actor, Zellweger is not the type who dates co-stars. Peter Farrelly said that this got Carrey "sick over her" that he had to say, "hey she's not that great" to make him feel better. After they wrapped the film, the two eventually started speaking on the phone. At that time, rumors of them dating started going around. The Jerry Maguire leading woman said that it made her mad. However, when she got home after denying the speculations, she said she started missing the Liar Liar star.
What Was Jim Carrey And Renée Zellweger's Relationship Like?
Zellweger and Carrey had a honeymoon type of affair. At that time, the Yes Man openly gushed about his relationship. He told Entertainment Weekly that the Miss Potter actress was "absolutely a gem of a human being" who kept him grounded. What Carrey ultimately loved about the multi-award-winning actress was that "she thinks having a good time is renting a U-Haul and taking furniture to Texas," The Truman Show star said. "She's real in that way and I absolutely love it." The actress also described their relationship as an "unexpected, wonderful thing."
The couple instantly became a fan favorite at the 2000 Golden Globes when Carrey had received an award for his performance in Man on the Moon. The lovebirds were spotted walking the red carpet in the rain, holding their own umbrella and just having the best time together. It was simple, but it's exactly what captured the fans' hearts. Usually, celebrities have assistants during those instances guarding them or holding their umbrella for them. But Carrey and Zellweger were all smiles, posing for the paparazzi. Not a care in the world.
Why Did Jim Carrey And Renée Zellweger Break Up?
The couple called it quits in December 2000. Grinch director Ron Howard said that they were pressured by the media's increased attention to their relationship. Zellweger's side revealed, however, that the couple "wanted different things." Classic celebrity answer, right? But some fans assumed that maybe it had something to do with Carrey being a father to his then 13-year-old daughter, Jane Erin Carrey.
It was also rumored that the two actually got engaged at some point. But Zellweger denied it. She told Cosmopolitan, "It was all made up... As if I would consider marriage after only three months." The Chicago actress added that half the time they were dating, she was in England shooting Bridget Jones's Diary. Clearly, their work schedules had also taken a toll on the relationship.
What's Jim Carrey And Renée Zellweger's Relationship Like Now?
Carrey and Zellweger seemed to have ended things on good terms. When asked if the What/If star was the one that got away, The Ace Ventura star told Howard Stern, "I don't regret, I don't have those things. But I do appreciate the people that have come through my life for the good that they gave me." Isn't that sweet? We're sure Zellweger also thinks fondly of the actor.