The ludicrous debate about whether or not the Jim Carrey that stepped out at the 51st Cesar Awards on February 26 was a clone or someone wearing a mask continues. Amidst the madness, it’s fun to remember that one of the movies that made Carrey a global household name was “The Mask.”
Directed by Chuck Russell, “The Mask” is a slapstick superhero movie loosely based on John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke’s 1991 Dark Horse Comics series of the same name.
Set in the fictional Edge City, it follows Carrey’s Stanley Ipkiss, a hapless and timid bank teller who, after discovering an ancient enchanted mask belonging to the Norse God of Mischief, Loki, transforms into a green-faced cartoonish troublemaker who can alter the very fabric of reality at will.
Carrey is ably supported in the film by a brilliant core cast comprised of Cameron Diaz, Peter Riegert, Peter Greene, Amy Yasbeck, and Richard Jeni.
“The Mask” was a huge critical and commercial success. It boasts an impressive 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and, per The Numbers, grossed over $351 million worldwide, having cost just $18 million to produce.
Released in the United States on July 29, 1994, the movie will turn 32 this year. So wouldn’t it be cool to compare how those cast members looked back then to how they look today? Let’s do exactly that…
Jim Carrey (Stanley Ipkiss, AKA The Mask)
GettyCanadian-American actor and comedian Jim Carrey played Stanley Ipkiss, aka the Mask in “The Mask.” Ipkiss is a down-on-his-luck bank employee who often gets mistreated and walked all over. When he discovers Loki’s mask and puts it on, he becomes an uber-confident and cartoonish superhero who can alter reality at will.
Age when “The Mask” released: 32.
Selected movie credits before “The Mask”: Earth Girls Are Easy (1988), Pink Cadillac (1989), Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994).
GettyAge now: 64.
Selected movie credits after “The Mask”: Dumb and Dumber (1994), Me, Myself & Irene (2000), Sonic the Hedgehog (2020).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Cameron Diaz (Tina Carlyle)
GettyActress Cameron Diaz played Tina Carlyle in “The Mask.” Tina is a beautiful nightclub performer and singer. While she starts out as the girlfriend of the movie’s main villain, she becomes the love interest of Stanley Ipkiss after developing feelings for him.
Age when “The Mask” released: 21.
Selected movie credits before “The Mask”: N/A.
GettyAge now: 53.
Selected movie credits after “The Mask”: Being John Malkovich (1999), Shrek (2001), The Green Hornet (2011).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Peter Riegert (Mitch Kellaway)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Peter Riegert in “The Mask.”
Actor and director Peter Riegert played Lieutenant Mitch Kellaway in “The Mask.” Mitch is a cynical but dedicated police lieutenant investigating the bizarre incidents linked to the Mask.
Age when “The Mask” released: 47.
Selected movie credits before “The Mask”: National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978), Local Hero (1983), Crossing Delancey (1988).
Above is a 2025 social media post with several recent pictures of Peter Riegert (he’s on the right in the first image).
Age now: 78.
Selected movie credits after “The Mask”: Pie in the Sky (1996), Traffic (2000), We Bought a Zoo (2011).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Peter Greene (Dorian Tyrell)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Peter Greene in “The Mask.”
Character actor Peter Greene played Dorian Tyrell in “The Mask.” Dorian is a ruthless gangster and the movie’s main villain, who’s initially in a relationship with Tina Carlyle. He wishes to take over Edge City’s criminal underworld — something that becomes a plausible reality when he gets his hands on the Mask.
Age when “The Mask” released: 35.
Selected movie credits before “The Mask”: Laws of Gravity (1992), Judgment Night (1993), Pulp Fiction (1994).
Above is a social media post with a picture of Peter Greene in 2021.
Age now: Sadly passed away in 2025 aged 66.
Selected movie credits after “The Mask”: Blue Streak (1999), Training Day (2001), New York New York (2016).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Amy Yasbeck (Peggy Brandt)
GettyTelevision and movie actress Amy Yasbeck played Peggy Brandt in “The Mask.” Amy is a newspaper reporter looking to land a major scoop on the Mask to get her out of writing the publication’s advice column.
Age when “The Mask” released: 31.
Selected movie credits before “The Mask”: Pretty Woman (1990), Problem Child (1990), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993).
GettyAge now: 63.
Selected movie credits after “The Mask”: Home for the holidays (1995), Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995), Denial (1998).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Richard Jeni (Charlie Schumaker)
Above is a social media post with two pictures of Richard Jeni in “The Mask” (top left is Jeni with Jim Carrey, top right is Jeni alone).
Actor and comedian Richard Jeni played Charlie Schumaker in “The Mask.” Charlie is Stanley Ipkiss’ loyal and upbeat best friend, as well as his co-worker at the bank. He provides a lot of comedy in the movie.
Age when “The Mask” released: 37.
Selected movie credits before “The Mask”: Bird (1988).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2007 aged 49.
Selected movie credits after “The Mask”: Dad’s Week Off (1997), An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (1998), Chasing Robert (2007).
Filmography info per IMDb.
It’s great to see the majority of the core cast of “The Mask” doing so well (including Jim Carrey, who absolutely hasn’t been replaced by a clone or a masked decoy), but undoubtedly sad that not all of them are still with us.
May Peter Greene and Richard Jeni rest in eternal peace.
