The Tragic And Triumphant Lives Of Jim Carrey's Two Wives And His Most Controversial Relationships

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Jim Carrey's love life has been as dramatic and publicized as his blockbuster film career, a journey marked by two marriages, a beloved daughter, and several high-profile relationships that ended in both heartbreak and controversy. As of late 2025, the iconic comedian and actor remains officially single, having stepped back from the spotlight to focus on his art and personal life, but the women who have held the title of "Mrs. Carrey" remain a major topic of curiosity for fans worldwide.

The two women who married Carrey—Melissa Womer and Lauren Holly—each represent a distinct period in the star's rise to fame, from his early days as a struggling stand-up comedian to his peak as a Hollywood megastar. This article delves into the lives of his two wives, their careers, and the significant relationships that shaped his personal narrative, including the tragic story that continues to haunt his public image.

Jim Carrey's Wives and Significant Partners: A Complete Biography List

Jim Carrey has been married twice. Here is a detailed look at the two women who were his wives, followed by his most significant long-term partners.

Melissa Womer (First Wife)

  • Role: Actress, Producer, Writer.
  • Born: July 8, 1960.
  • Nationality: American.
  • Marriage Date: March 28, 1987.
  • Divorce Date: 1995.
  • Children: Jane Erin Carrey (Born 1987), his only child.
  • Career Highlights: Known for her work as a waitress at The Comedy Store where she met Carrey, and roles in films like Man on the Moon and Petrocelli.

Lauren Holly (Second Wife)

  • Role: American-Canadian Actress.
  • Born: October 28, 1963.
  • Nationality: American-Canadian.
  • Marriage Date: September 23, 1996.
  • Divorce Date: 1997.
  • Children: None with Carrey.
  • Career Highlights: Starred with Carrey in Dumb and Dumber. Known for her major roles as Deputy Sheriff Maxine Stewart in Picket Fences, Dr. Betty Rogers in Motive, and Director Jenny Shepard in NCIS.

Significant Non-Marital Partners

  • Renée Zellweger: Dated from 1999 to 2000 after meeting on the set of Me, Myself & Irene. They were briefly engaged.
  • Jenny McCarthy: Dated from 2005 to 2010. Their five-year relationship was highly publicized, focusing on their joint advocacy for autism awareness.
  • Cathriona White: Dated on and off from 2012 until her tragic death in 2015. This relationship led to a highly publicized wrongful death lawsuit against Carrey, which was ultimately dismissed.

Melissa Womer: The Wife Who Stood By His Side During His Rise

Melissa Womer was Jim Carrey's first wife and is the mother of his only child, Jane Erin Carrey. Their relationship began in the mid-1980s when Carrey was a struggling stand-up comedian working the circuit in Los Angeles. Womer, an aspiring actress, producer, and writer, met Carrey while working as a waitress at the legendary Comedy Store. They married in 1987, the same year their daughter, Jane, was born.

The marriage spanned the most transformative years of Carrey's career, from his early success on the sketch comedy show In Living Color to his breakthrough film role in 1994’s Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. However, as Carrey's fame exploded, his marriage to Womer began to crumble, and they divorced in 1995 after eight years together. Despite the separation, they maintained a relationship focused on co-parenting their daughter. Melissa Womer has since maintained a relatively private life, occasionally working on various entertainment projects, but her lasting legacy is their daughter, Jane Erin Carrey, who is now a singer and mother herself.

Lauren Holly: The Co-Star Marriage That Lasted Less Than a Year

Jim Carrey's second wife, actress Lauren Holly, was a co-star who became a whirlwind romance. Holly is a well-known American-Canadian actress with an impressive resume, including her breakout role as Deputy Sheriff Maxine Stewart in the critically acclaimed drama series Picket Fences.

Carrey and Holly first met on the set of the 1994 comedy hit Dumb and Dumber, where Holly played the love interest, Mary Swanson. Their professional chemistry quickly turned romantic, and they married in September 1996 in a lavish ceremony. However, the pressure of their combined celebrity and the intensity of the relationship led to a swift and shocking end. The couple divorced just nine months later in 1997.

Following her brief marriage to Carrey, Lauren Holly's career continued to thrive with major roles, solidifying her topical authority in the television landscape. She starred as Dr. Betty Rogers in the Canadian police drama Motive and is perhaps most recognizable to a new generation of fans for her role as NCIS Director Jenny Shepard on the global hit series NCIS. In recent years, Holly has continued to work steadily, with an appearance in the Netflix series Designated Survivor, demonstrating her enduring presence in Hollywood well into 2025.

The Post-Marital Relationships: Controversy and Lasting Impact

While Jim Carrey has only been married twice, his subsequent relationships have garnered even more media attention and are essential to understanding his personal life. The most significant of these was his five-year partnership with model and television personality Jenny McCarthy, which lasted from 2005 to 2010. Their relationship was a constant tabloid fixture, characterized by their public displays of affection and their shared advocacy.

However, the most controversial chapter is undoubtedly his on-again, off-again relationship with makeup artist Cathriona White. Their relationship ended tragically in September 2015 when White took her own life. The aftermath saw a highly publicized wrongful death lawsuit filed by White's estranged husband and mother against Carrey. The lawsuits alleged that Carrey had introduced White to hard drugs and had given her STDs, claims the actor vehemently denied. Carrey fought the allegations, calling them a "shakedown," and the case was ultimately dismissed in 2018, allowing the actor to finally close that painful chapter.

Since the conclusion of that legal battle and a brief relationship with his *Kidding* co-star Ginger Gonzaga in 2019, Jim Carrey has embraced a quieter life. He has openly discussed his struggles with depression and his decision to step away from acting to pursue painting and other forms of art. As of today, late 2025, the star remains unmarried, focusing on his well-being and his role as a grandfather to his daughter Jane's child. His history with Melissa Womer and Lauren Holly, however, remains a key part of the legacy of one of comedy's most complicated and brilliant minds.

wives of jim carrey
wives of jim carrey

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