Jim Carrey & Lauren Holly: The Nine-Month Marriage of Hollywood's $20 Million Man
They fell in love on the set of Dumb and Dumber — and the marriage was over in nine months
Key Facts
What Happened
Jim Carrey and Lauren Holly met during auditions for Ace Ventura: Pet Detective in 1993. Although Holly did not get that particular role, they reconnected on the set of Dumb and Dumber in 1994 and began a relationship. At the time, Carrey was in the process of divorcing his first wife, Melissa Womer, with whom he had a daughter. His career was about to explode — The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, and Ace Ventura would make him the highest-paid comedian in Hollywood.
Carrey and Holly married in September 1996, by which point Carrey was commanding $20 million per film. The marriage lasted only nine months and two days — Holly filed for divorce on July 29, 1997, citing irreconcilable differences, with a separation date of June 25. The brevity of the marriage made it one of the shortest in Hollywood history at the time and became fodder for late-night television jokes.
During divorce proceedings, Holly sought spousal support from Carrey, who was one of the highest-paid actors in the business. The specific terms of their settlement were never made public, but the case raised interesting legal questions about spousal support obligations after extremely short marriages. In California, the duration of the marriage is a key factor in determining spousal support, with very short marriages typically resulting in minimal or no support.
Despite the brief and failed marriage, both parties maintained a surprising degree of goodwill. In 2019, Holly told Closer magazine: 'I'm still in touch with Jim. I only have the best memories of working with him because we were boyfriend and girlfriend. We just laughed and laughed — he's constant entertainment.' The case illustrates that not all short marriages end in bitterness, and that workplace romances in Hollywood carry unique risks when they escalate to marriage too quickly.
Legal Breakdown: Short Celebrity Marriages and Spousal Support
Short Marriage and Spousal Support
In California, the length of a marriage is the primary factor in determining spousal support duration. For marriages under 10 years, the general rule is that support lasts for half the length of the marriage. For a nine-month marriage, this would typically mean minimal or no spousal support, regardless of the payor's income.
The Income Disparity Factor
Even in short marriages, courts consider the income disparity between spouses. When one spouse earns $20 million per film and the other earns a fraction of that, courts may award temporary support to help the lower-earning spouse transition. However, the brevity of the marriage limits the duration and amount significantly.
Workplace Romances in Entertainment
Film sets create intense emotional environments that can accelerate romantic relationships. The intimacy of on-set work, combined with the temporary nature of production schedules, can create relationships that feel deeper than they are. When these relationships lead to marriage too quickly, the results are often predictable.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →The shorter the marriage, the less likely a court is to award substantial spousal support — even when the payor earns millions.
- →Workplace romances that begin on film sets are particularly risky because the intense, temporary environment does not reflect everyday life.
- →A significant income disparity between spouses does not automatically entitle the lower earner to substantial support if the marriage was very brief.
- →Not all short marriages end in acrimony. Maintaining civility after a brief failed marriage is both possible and beneficial for everyone involved.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.