Jim Carrey’s Wild Method Acting Drove His Director Spare
Jim Carrey’s extreme approach to playing Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon left director Miloš Forman exasperated, as Carrey’s commitment to character blurred the lines between performance and reality.
It’s almost a running joke these days how many comedians are painted as troubled geniuses, but Jim Carrey, one of the biggest names in comedy, seemed to take that idea to heart. His dedication to his craft has often come with a price, and sometimes, those around him have copped the brunt of it. Whether he was blasting Bee Gees tracks to get through the gruelling makeup for How the Grinch Stole Christmas, needing a CIA expert’s help, or chasing a massive paycheque, Carrey’s process has never been straightforward. He’s had his moments on set, like losing his cool during Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. For lighter films like Ace Ventura or Dumb and Dumber, he didn’t need to go to such extremes, but when he was chasing awards, he pushed himself to the edge—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Even in a flop like The Number 23, which landed him a Razzie nomination, Carrey’s obsession with his roles was clear. He’s never been one to do things by halves, but his work on Man on the Moon took things to a whole new level. Playing Andy Kaufman for Miloš Forman, Carrey didn’t just act—he lived as Kaufman, taking on all his personas. There’s method acting, and then there’s whatever Carrey was doing. He didn’t just stay in character; he became Kaufman, and even took on the roles of Kaufman’s alter egos, like Tony Clifton and Latka Gravas, around the clock.
Method to the Madness
Was it worth all the effort? Not really. Despite the commitment, Carrey didn’t score any major awards, the film didn’t do well at the box office, and while critics liked it, they weren’t exactly raving. The performance was strong, but the extreme approach seemed a bit much. It made life tough for everyone on set. At one point, filming was delayed because ‘Andy Kaufman’ was apparently holding Danny DeVito hostage. Forman later admitted he had a preference for some of Carrey’s characters over others.
“Tony Clifton was a nightmare,”
he said.
“He was abusive, undisciplined, arrogant; you had to flatter him all the time. I had to play this game. I felt like a fool, but then I noticed that the whole crew is enjoying watching our game. That it brings excitement on the set. That it really helped the movie. So, it was alright.”
On-Set Chaos
Forman just wanted to make a film, but instead, he found himself dealing with Carrey as Kaufman as Clifton—a persona he couldn’t stand, and one that left DeVito rattled. The director admitted that
“Latka was a puppy dog,”
but the brash, foul-mouthed crooner Clifton was a different story, pushing Forman to his limits.
Carrey’s all-in approach might have added some spark to the production, but it also meant the crew had to put up with a lot. The lines between acting and reality blurred, and not everyone was keen on the experience. Still, for those watching, it was a spectacle—if not always a pleasant one.