Director Calls Jim Carrey 'Abusive' During Method Acting Nightmare
Academy Award-winning director Miloš Forman reveals how Jim Carrey's extreme method acting approach for 'Man on the Moon' created chaos on set and left the filmmaker feeling foolish.
Comedy stars often get labeled as tortured artists, but Jim Carrey took that reputation to dangerous extremes. His method acting approach for biographical films pushed directors and co-stars past their breaking points. The actor's commitment went far beyond what anyone expected or wanted.
Carrey's preparation methods were already intense. He used Bee Gees music to survive the grueling makeup process for How the Grinch Stole Christmas. That project required help from a CIA veteran and a $20 mn paycheck to get through. He also had breakdowns during Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Living as Andy Kaufman
For Man on the Moon, Carrey didn't just play Andy Kaufman. He became him completely. The actor absorbed every personality Kaufman had created, from lounge singer Tony Clifton to Taxi character Latka Gravas. This wasn't standard method acting anymore.
The results were mixed at best. Carrey received no major award nominations. The biopic bombed at theaters. Critics liked it without calling it brilliant. His extreme preparation seemed pointless given the mediocre outcome.
Director's Breaking Point
Miloš Forman, the Academy Award-winning director, struggled with Carrey's approach daily. The actor stayed in character between takes, creating multiple problems. He once held up filming because 'Andy Kaufman' was keeping Danny DeVito hostage.
Forman preferred some personalities over others. "Tony Clifton was a nightmare," he explained. "He was abusive, undisciplined, arrogant; you had to flatter him all the time. I had to play this game. I felt like a fool, but then I noticed that the whole crew is enjoying watching our game. That it brings excitement on the set. That it really helped the movie. So, it was alright."
Multiple Personalities, Multiple Problems
The director had to manage different versions of his lead actor. "Latka was a puppy dog," Forman admitted. But Tony Clifton pushed everyone to their limits. The profane, demanding crooner personality traumatized DeVito and exhausted the director.
Forman just wanted to make a movie. Instead, he dealt with Carrey-as-Kaufman-as-Clifton, a character he genuinely disliked. The filmmaker had to flatter and cajole someone who wasn't even real. The whole experience left him questioning his profession.