Jim Carrey received a lifetime achievement award at the 51st César Awards in Paris on Thursday, February 26, 2026, but his appearance sparked a wave of online speculation about whether the actor himself attended the ceremony. Carrey was honored for his contribution to the film and television industry and delivered an acceptance speech entirely in French, a move that initially drew widespread praise but subsequently fueled conspiracy theories.
The rumors began circulating on social media after drag queen Alexis Stone posted images on Instagram suggesting she had impersonated Carrey at the event. Stone’s post included photos of prosthetic makeup and a wig resembling Carrey’s seem on the red carpet, accompanied by the caption “Alexis Stone as Jim Carrey in Paris.” This ignited a debate about the authenticity of Carrey’s appearance, with some users sharing comparative images claiming noticeable differences in his features.
Gregory Caulier, the delegate general of the César Awards, swiftly dismissed the claims as “a problem of no importance.” He emphasized the extensive planning involved in Carrey’s visit, which began as early as the previous summer. “The visit of Jim Carrey was planned since last summer,” Caulier told Variety. “From the beginning, he was deeply moved by the invitation of the Academy. There were months of continuous and constructive conversations. He worked on his speech in French for months, asking me about the exact pronunciation of certain words.” Caulier also highlighted the actor’s entourage, including his daughter Jane, grandson Jackson, partner Min Ah, longtime publicist, and friend Michel Gondry, who previously directed Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Carrey’s speech, delivered fluently in French, touched upon his family history and expressed gratitude to those who supported him. He revealed that his ancestor, Marc-François Carré, emigrated from Saint-Malo, France, to Canada approximately 300 years ago. He also paid tribute to his father, Percy Joseph Carrey, describing him as “the funniest man I’ve ever known.” He thanked his daughter, grandson, and partner, Min Ah, whom he publicly acknowledged for the first time on the Parisian red carpet. “Thank you to my wonderful family, to my daughter Jane and my grandson Jackson. I love you now and forever. Thank you to my sublime companion, Min Ah. I love you!” he said.
During his speech, Carrey playfully acknowledged his French language skills, joking, “Almost mediocre, right? Excuse me, I don’t speak French, but I’m barely learning it. My tongue is tired.”
A spokesperson for Carrey confirmed his attendance at the awards ceremony in a brief statement to People magazine: “Jim Carrey attended the César Awards, where he accepted his Honorary César Award.” The Academy of France had announced Carrey as the recipient of the honor in October 2025, citing his “exceptional versatility” in film and television roles.
Carrey announced his retirement from acting in 2022, having largely stepped back from the industry since 2018, citing a desire to distance himself from corporate pressures. He has continued to voice the character of Dr. Ivo Robotnik in the Sonic the Hedgehog film series.
