jim carrey ontroert parys met emotionele ereprijs toespraak in het frans

2026-02-27 buitenland

Parijs, vrijdag, 27 februari 2026.
De Canadese acteur Jim Carrey ontving gisteren de ere-César in Parijs en verraste het publiek met een toespraak in het Frans. Ondanks een zwaar accent kreeg hij een staande ovatie na zijn emotionele woorden. Carrey vertelde over zijn Franse roots via zijn verre voorouder Marc-François Carré uit Saint-Malo. Hij noemde het moment een volledige cirkel. In dezelfde speech sprak hij voor het eerst openlijk over zijn partner Min Ah, die hij omschreef als zijn “sublime metgezel”. Hij dankte ook zijn vader voor de lessen in liefde en lachen. Zijn uitspraak over zijn vermoeide tong trok glimlachen. Het was een zeldzame publieke verschijning die onderwereld raakte.

canadian actor jim carrey receives honorary césar in paris

The 51st César Awards took place on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Olympia in Paris, honoring outstanding achievements in French cinema [1]. Among the recipients was Canadian-American actor Jim Carrey, who was awarded the honorary César (César d’honneur) in recognition of his diverse and influential acting career [3]. This prestigious accolade is typically reserved for internationally renowned figures, following past honorees like Julia Roberts in 2025 and Christopher Nolan in 2024 [5]. The ceremony marked a significant cultural moment as Carrey delivered his acceptance speech entirely in French, despite having no formal background in the language [1][5].

speech in french draws standing ovation

During his address, Jim Carrey spoke in French with a strong American accent, earning immediate praise and a standing ovation from the audience [1][3]. Video footage circulating on social media platforms confirmed the enthusiastic reaction, showing attendees rising to their feet in appreciation [2]. Carrey humorously acknowledged his limited fluency, asking the crowd, “So, how was my French? Almost mediocre, right?” and adding, “Forgive me, I didn’t speak French, but I’m just learning it. My tongue is tired” [1][5]. This self-deprecating remark resonated warmly with viewers both inside the venue and online, amplifying the viral reach of the moment [2][4]. His effort to communicate in French was widely interpreted as a gesture of deep respect toward French culture and its cinematic community [3].

personal revelations and ancestral ties

In a deeply personal segment of his speech, Carrey traced his lineage back approximately 300 years to a distant ancestor named Marc-François Carré, who originated from Saint-Malo, France, before emigrating to Canada [1][5]. Reflecting on this heritage, Carrey remarked, “Tonight with this magnificent honor, this ‘square’—carré in French—has come full circle,” drawing a poetic connection between his surname and the symbolic nature of the award [5]. He publicly acknowledged his partner Mina Ahn (also referred to as Mina), describing her as his “sublime companion”, marking a rare disclosure about his private life [1][3]. The couple attended the event together alongside Carrey’s daughter Jane and grandson Jackson [1].

tributes to family and career legacy

Carrey dedicated part of his speech to his late father, Percy Joseph Carrey, whom he described as “the funniest man I have ever known.” He credited his father with instilling values of love, generosity, and laughter—qualities that would later define his comedic persona [1][5]. Director Michel Gondry, who worked with Carrey on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), introduced him during the ceremony, evoking emotional reflections on their creative partnership [1][5]. Actor Emmanuel Curtil, known as Carrey’s official French dubbing voice, also expressed public admiration, urging him not to abandon acting altogether [5]. Though less active in recent years, Carrey returned briefly to voice Dr. Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), confirming ongoing ties to film [5].

context within the 51st césar awards

While Carrey’s honorary distinction stood outside competitive categories, the evening celebrated numerous achievements in French filmmaking [6]. The Best Film award went to Carine Tardieu’s L’Attachement, while Laurent Lafitte and Léa Drucker were recognized as Best Actor and Best Actress respectively [6]. Richard Linklater earned Best Director honors for his black-and-white homage Nouvelle Vague, a work inspired by Jean-Luc Godard’s French New Wave movement [3][6]. Notably, the ceremony included a brief tribute to actress Brigitte Bardot, though it sparked controversy after audible boos emerged from parts of the audience—a reflection of polarized views regarding her political history [7]. Despite these tensions, the overall atmosphere remained celebratory, particularly during Carrey’s appearance, which became one of the most discussed moments of the night [1][2][3].

Bronnen

Jim Carrey César Awards