Funnyman Jim Carrey is well-known for getting a laugh out of audiences, and he even had Stephen Hawking cracking up when they met. In a throwback post Carrey shared in 2022, the pair are all smiles in an outdoor setting. One photo shows them posing for a planned photo, and the other is a zany shot of the renowned physicist laughing while the comedian is up to some antics.
“Must [have] been absolutely awesome to be able to share a moment in time with that mind,” one fan wrote in the comments section. Hawking passed away in 2018 at the age of 76.
Their First Connection was an On-air Phone Call
GettyCarrey and Hawking wouldn’t naturally have run in the same social circles, so their meeting was unconventional. Many social media videos show clips of their first-ever conversation, which was part of a 2003 bit on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien.” The two shared a hilarious exchange via cell phone and joined forces for another call just before the episode’s closing credits rolled.
In a video shared on Reddit, Carrey reflected on his decision to chat with Hawking on air. “When I do a talk show, most people see ‘Dumb & Dumber and assume that’s who I am,” he said. “So I thought, ‘Well, wouldn’t it be wonderful to partner up with the smartest man on the earth?'”
As the comedian also shared, Hawking’s attitude surprised him. “I expected him to be so serious about himself,” he said. “I think it was a relief for him to completely make fun of the whole thing.” After doing the bit together, the pair became friendly, so much so that Carrey was invited to join Hawking for dinner at his home. In the video, Carrey also revealed the context behind the hilarious picture of him and Hawking from that day: he asked the physicist to intentionally roll his wheelchair over his foot for the photo.
Carrey has Stepped Back from the Spotlight in Recent Years
GettyCarrey used to be everywhere, but he has taken a big step back from public life over the years. Although he has lent his voice to the “Sonic the Hedgehog” film series recently, he has been largely absent from the big screen. However, this big change isn’t for a lack of roles; Carrey has simply entered a new phase of life.
As an anonymous source told SkyNews Australia, the actor’s priorities have changed since the early days of his career. “He simply doesn’t want to be part of that world anymore,” they said. Instead of fame, Carrey is finding meaning through different experiences. “He is on a spiritual journey and looking for something deeper.”
