Melissa Womer, Jim Carrey’s First Wife – From Waitress to Producer, She Described Him as an “Extremely Depressive Person” After Divorce
The Most Famous Crooked Smile Hid a Dark Side – Jim Carrey, known for his wild characters and rubber-faced comedy, rose to fame with hits like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), The Mask (1994), and Dumb and Dumber (1994). But behind the laughter, Carrey struggled with deep personal battles – ones that his first wife, Melissa Womer, saw up close.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Melissa once described him as “an extremely depressive person.” She spent countless nights talking him through his darkest moments.
His first marriage to Melissa Womer, a former waitress at the Comedy Store, started as a love story but ended in divorce after eight years.
Jim Carrey a Struggling Comedian, Married to Waitress Melissa Womer
Before the movies, the fame, and the money, Jim Carrey was a struggling comedian trying to make it in Los Angeles. In the early ‘80s, he performed at The Comedy Store, trying to make a name for himself. That’s where he met Melissa Womer, a waitress at the club who had dreams of making it as a writer and actress.
They fell in love, bonding over ambition and the harsh realities of chasing success in Hollywood. On March 28, 1987, they got married in Santa Monica. Later that same year, they welcomed their only child, Jane Erin Carrey.
Melissa Womer, a Waitress, a Writer and Producer
Melissa Womer wasn’t just waiting tables at The Comedy Store—she was a hardworking woman balancing multiple jobs. She eventually found work as a writer and producer, most notably working on The Yesterday Show with John Kerwin.
Despite being married to a rising star, Melissa kept a low profile. She never sought the spotlight and focused on raising their daughter. However, she later opened up about their struggles, saying:
“Jim is an extremely depressive person. I know, because I would sit up counseling him through it until four or five in the morning on many, many nights.” (Rolling Stone)
When Carrey’s career took off, Melissa’s world changed. She went from being his partner in struggle to watching him become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. But instead of growing together, they grew apart.
Fame Completely Shifted Jim’s Mindset, Late-Night Convo Turned into Fights
Jim Carrey was a struggling comic for years. Jim Carrey’s rise to fame wasn’t easy. He came from a working-class family in Canada and faced years of rejection before landing his big break. Melissa saw firsthand how hard he worked to make it in Hollywood. Then, Ace Ventura happened in 1994, and suddenly, he was a global superstar.
According to Melissa, fame completely shifted Jim’s mindset. She told Rolling Stone:
“The day he first walked on that set as Mr. Carrey, he decided he wanted to enjoy success from the perspective of a single man.”
The sudden success created tension. Late-night conversations turned into fights. Melissa recalled screaming matches as Jim navigated the pressures of Hollywood.
Carrey has been open about his battles with depression throughout his life. In a 2004 interview, he said:
“I was on Prozac for a long time, but I eventually realized that just wasn’t for me.”
Melissa also hinted at how his mental struggles took a toll on their marriage. By 1995, their marriage had reached its breaking point. The divorce was finalized in December 1995, marking the end of an eight-year marriage.
Their Daughter: Where Is Jane Erin Carrey Now?
Jane Erin Carrey was born on September 6, 1987, and grew up away from the Hollywood spotlight. Despite her parents’ fame, Jane had a relatively normal childhood, attending public school and participating in music and theater.
She later pursued a career as a singer, even auditioning for American Idol in 2012. During her audition, she spoke about her famous father:
“It was definitely fun growing up with [Carrey] as a father. He’s not the most extravagant celebrity, so life’s been fairly normal … fairly.”
Jane made it past the first round but was eliminated during Hollywood Week. Still, she continued to perform with her band, The Jane Carrey Band, and worked on various music projects.
In 2010, Jane welcomed her first child, Jackson Riley Santana, making Jim Carrey a grandfather. He was thrilled about the news, saying:
“Jane is going to be a great mom.”
The Divorce Settled at $3.5 million, with $25000 Per Month in Child and Spousal Support
The divorce between Jim and Melissa wasn’t without controversy. At the time, Jim Carrey was one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood.
Melissa initially sought $5 million in a settlement, arguing that Jim’s success was built during their marriage. Carrey’s lawyers countered with $500,000. Eventually, they settled at $3.5 million, with an additional $25,000 per month in child and spousal support.
Melissa later expressed frustration about the divorce, believing Jim’s success changed him. In an interview with Inside Edition, she shared:
“I supported him when he had nothing, and now that he’s on top, he doesn’t need me anymore.”
Jim, on the other hand, has rarely spoken publicly about his divorce. However, sources close to him suggest that he felt trapped in the marriage and struggled with balancing fame and family life.
Jim Carrey’s Reflections on His Divorce
Jim Carrey has never been one to talk extensively about his first marriage. However, he has admitted that relationships have been difficult for him. He once shared in an interview:
“I’m like a caged animal. I’m up all night walking around the living room,”
His intense personality, combined with the pressures of fame, made balancing a relationship almost impossible.
While he hasn’t publicly spoken about regrets regarding Melissa, he has acknowledged how difficult marriage can be when success takes over.
Jim Carrey’s High-Profile Relationships
After his divorce from Melissa Womer in 1995, Jim Carrey became known for his high-profile relationships with some of Hollywood’s biggest names. While some were brief flings, others became long-term romances that kept him in the public eye.
Courteney Cox – A Mystery Relationship?
Jim Carrey and Friends star Courteney Cox worked together in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), and rumors of a romance followed them for years.
During an interview on The Howard Stern Show, Cox, appearing alongside Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow, admitted to having a crush on Carrey. However, when pressed on whether they ever dated, she awkwardly dodged the question, saying,
“I don’t… I’m going to go to the bathroom.”
Although neither confirmed the relationship, Cox has spoken highly of Carrey’s comedic genius, recalling how he “turned it on” once filming began, making her realize he was “the funniest person” she’d ever worked with.
Lauren Holly – A Short-Lived Marriage
Jim Carrey’s first serious relationship after Melissa was with Dumb and Dumber (1994) co-star Lauren Holly. The pair married in 1996 but separated after just nine months.
In a Closer Weekly interview, Holly shared that despite their short marriage, she only had fond memories of Carrey.
“We just laughed and laughed—he’s constant entertainment.”
However, she later admitted the divorce was difficult, saying in another interview,
“I always felt like everybody knew my personal business.”
Charlotte Lewis – A Brief Romance
British actress Charlotte Lewis, known for The Golden Child (1986), was linked to Jim Carrey in the late ‘90s. She later confirmed their short-lived romance, telling News of the World,
“He was kind, charismatic, funny, and unbelievably gorgeous. But I wouldn’t sleep with him.”
Renée Zellweger – A Love That Almost Lasted
Jim Carrey and Renée Zellweger met while filming Me, Myself & Irene (2000) and quickly became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples. Many believed they were engaged, but Zellweger shut down those rumors in a Cosmopolitan interview:
“The English papers wrote that I was proposed to in a West End restaurant with a ring, and they included the size and cost of the ring. But it was all made up. I’d only been dating him for three months.”
She later cryptically mentioned she remained best friends with one of her exes, leaving fans wondering if she was referring to Carrey.
Jenny McCarthy – His Longest Public Relationship
Jim Carrey’s most serious post-divorce relationship was with actress and former Playboy model Jenny McCarthy. They dated from 2005 to 2010, and for years, they were seen as Hollywood’s happiest couple.
However, two years after their split, McCarthy revealed on The Howard Stern Show that Carrey had completely cut ties with her autistic son, Evan, who had grown close to him.
“I tell [Evan] that someday you’ll cross paths again. It’s hard. He’s been in therapy. It’s a process, he’s working on it.”
Despite her disappointment, McCarthy defended Carrey when actor Shia LaBeouf criticized him on Twitter. While hosting The View, she stated:
“Jim and I have become friends now since our breakup. We dated for five years, and I got to know his daughter, Jane, who is a lovely, lovely girl. It’s completely uncalled for and wrong. Jim is a great father.”
Cathriona White – A Tragic End
Perhaps the most heartbreaking chapter in Carrey’s romantic history was his relationship with Cathriona White, a makeup artist he dated on and off from 2012 to 2015.
In September 2015, White was found dead from an overdose. Her suicide note later revealed disturbing claims about her time with Carrey.
“Before you, I might not have had much, but I had respect, I was happy. You introduced me to cocaine, prostitutes, mental abuse, and disease.”
Her estranged husband and mother filed wrongful death lawsuits against Carrey, accusing him of supplying drugs and causing emotional distress. The case was dismissed in 2018, but the allegations left a lasting impact on his public image.
Stepped away from Hollywood Spotlight, Focused on Painting, philosophy and personal growth
Jim Carrey has since stepped away from the Hollywood spotlight. While he still makes occasional public appearances, he has become more focused on painting, philosophy, and personal growth.
He has openly discussed his struggles with depression and the impact of fame on his mental health.
His love life has been filled with ups and downs, but his first wife, Melissa Womer, remains an important part of his story. She was there before the fame, before the money—when he was just a young comic trying to make it.
As Jim Carrey himself once said:
“You can fail at what you don’t love, so you might as well do what you love.” Melissa was there when that love was just beginning.
Sources:
- Rolling Stone
- Los Angeles Times
- Vanity Fair
- Jim Carrey Interviews