Jim Carrey’s Extreme Method Acting Drove His Director to the Edge

It ’s almost a running joke in Hollywood how many comedians are labeled as tortured geniuses, but Jim Carrey ’s reputation for going all-in on his roles is no exaggeration. Throughout his career, Carrey has thrown himself into characters with a level of intensity that’s both impressive and, at times, overwhelming for those around him. Whether he was blasting Bee Gees tracks to get through the grueling makeup process for How the Grinch Stole Christmas, relying on advice from a CIA expert, or chasing a massive paycheck, Carrey’s dedication has always come with a price. Even on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, he was known to lose his cool, and his obsession with roles like The Number 23 landed him on the Razzies’ ‘Worst Actor ’ list.

But nothing compared to the lengths he went for Man on the Moon. To portray Andy Kaufman, Carrey didn’t just act—he lived as Kaufman, adopting every facet of the late comedian’s personality. He didn’t break character, even off-camera, and took on not just Kaufman’s persona but also his alter egos, like the abrasive lounge singer Tony Clifton and the quirky Latka Gravas from Taxi. This wasn’t just method acting; it was total immersion, and it left a mark on everyone involved in the production.

Method to the Madness

Carrey’s approach on set was so intense that it disrupted the entire filmmaking process. There were moments when filming ground to a halt because ‘Andy Kaufman’—as embodied by Carrey—refused to let co-star Danny DeVito leave a scene. Director Milos Forman found himself dealing with not just one actor, but a revolving door of personalities, each with their own demands and quirks. Some were easier to handle than others. Forman later recalled,

“Tony Clifton was a nightmare. 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.”

Despite the chaos, there was a strange energy on set that kept the crew engaged. The unpredictable antics brought a certain excitement, even if it meant the director had to put up with behavior that bordered on the outrageous. For Forman, it was a balancing act between keeping the production moving and managing Carrey’s relentless commitment to the role.

Behind the Scenes Tension

While Carrey’s performance was widely praised, the toll it took on those around him was significant. The film didn’t achieve the awards recognition Carrey may have hoped for, and its box office performance was underwhelming. Still, the experience left a lasting impression on everyone involved. Forman admitted that he preferred some of Carrey’s personas over others, saying,

“Latka was a puppy dog,”

but it was the over-the-top Tony Clifton that truly tested his patience. The director wasn’t alone—DeVito and other cast members also found themselves caught up in the whirlwind of Carrey’s method madness.

In the end, Carrey’s total immersion in the role blurred the line between acting and reality, creating an environment that was as challenging as it was unforgettable. The set of Man on the Moon became a stage for not just a film, but a real-life drama fueled by one actor’s relentless pursuit of authenticity.