“Dumb and Dumber,” the iconic ’90s comedy featuring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, almost didn’t happen for Daniels. In a recent interview on The Rich Eisen Show, Daniels revealed that both New Line Cinema and his managers were initially against him taking on the role.
Before the 1994 film, Daniels was primarily known as a dramatic actor, having appeared in films like the war movie “Gettysburg” and the action film “Speed.” During a round of “Celebrity True or False,” Daniels confirmed that the studio initially resisted casting him in “Dumb and Dumber,” even offering him a low salary for the role.
Despite the studio’s reservations, Carrey and the Farrelly Brothers were impressed with Daniels’ audition. He was eventually given the opportunity to shoot the first week of the film, where he filmed some of its most memorable scenes, including sticking his tongue to a frozen pole. Daniels successfully convinced the studio, secured the part, and the rest became history.
However, pushback continued from Daniels’ managers, who were concerned that starring in a comedy like “Dumb and Dumber” would harm his career as a serious actor. They even staged an intervention to dissuade him. Nevertheless, Daniels ignored the warnings and went on to deliver a standout performance alongside Carrey in the classic film.
Since “Dumb and Dumber,” Daniels has continued to have a successful career. He starred in films like “The Squid and the Whale” and more recently appeared in the TV series “American Rust.” With two Emmy awards, including one for Best Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his role in “The Newsroom,” Daniels has proven that the ’90s comedy didn’t hinder his career as a versatile and accomplished actor.
