Jenny McCarthy is standing firmly behind her ex Jim Carrey after the comedian sparked widespread speculation over his “unrecognizable” appearance at the César Awards.
A month after the viral moment, McCarthy dismissed online conspiracy theories suggesting Carrey had been “cloned” or replaced, making it clear she believes the actor seen at the French ceremony was indeed him.
When asked about the rumors at the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026, she said she had no doubt: “It was definitely Jim Carrey.”
Rather than focusing on his changed appearance, McCarthy emphasized his demeanor. “He looked very happy at that award show. And I was happy for him,” she said. “That’s the first thing I noticed. I said, ‘Oh wow, Jim looks really happy.’”
Her husband, Donnie Wahlberg, echoed that sentiment, adding, “You know, that’s the part that, sadly, people miss. We’re so obsessed with how he looks that we didn’t consider how happy he looked.”
McCarthy, 53, and Carrey, 64, were in a relationship from 2005 to 2010. She later began dating Wahlberg in 2013.
Viral Conspiracy Theories Take Over Social Media
Carrey’s appearance at the César Awards in February quickly went viral, sparking a wave of online speculation.
Some users on X (formerly Twitter) pushed bizarre theories, with one writing, “You can’t convince me they didn’t clone Jim Carrey…”
Another added, “Jim Carrey was cloned years ago. Something has changed behind the scenes to allow us to see unfinished and malfunctioning clones.”
Others offered more grounded explanations, suggesting cosmetic procedures, with one user commenting, “He just had some bad plastic surgery…”
Representatives and Event Officials Shut Down Claims
Carrey’s representative, Marleah Leslie, directly addressed the rumors, confirming: “Jim Carrey attended the César Awards, where he accepted his Honorary César Award.”
Grégory Caulier, general delegate of the César Awards, also dismissed the speculation, calling the actor’s presence “a historic moment.”
He revealed that Carrey’s appearance had been planned months in advance and that the actor had prepared extensively for the event.
“Jim Carrey’s visit has been planned since this summer. From the outset, he was extremely touched by the Academy’s invitation,” Caulier said, adding that Carrey “worked on his speech in French for months, asking me about the exact pronunciation of certain words.”
According to Caulier, Carrey attended the ceremony with “his partner, his daughter, his grandson and 12 close friends and family members.” His longtime publicist was also present, along with filmmaker Michel Gondry, who has collaborated with Carrey on multiple projects.
“For me, it’s a non-issue,” Caulier said. “I just remember his generosity, his kindness, his benevolence, his elegance.”
Plastic Surgery Speculation Emerges
Amid the speculation, a plastic surgeon weighed in, suggesting Carrey’s altered appearance could be the result of a “major surgical transformation” costing more than $60,000.
However, no official confirmation has been made regarding any procedures.
Jim Carrey’s Time Away From Hollywood
Carrey has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent years. In a 2018 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he said he “didn’t want to be in the business anymore” and preferred to focus on other creative pursuits.
The actor stepped back from mainstream Hollywood in the late 2010s, pursuing painting and other artistic interests.
Return to Acting With ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’
Despite his hiatus, Carrey made a return to the screen in 2024 with a voice role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, reportedly after running out of money.
The appearance marked one of his few recent public engagements, making his César Awards outing all the more notable and, for some, surprising.
Source: Page Six