Jim Carrey’s first notable relationship was with singer Linda Ronstadt, who was 15 years older than him. The couple spent eight months together in the 1980s when Carrey, known for his role in The Mask, was 21 and Ronstadt was 37.
In 2020, during an interview on The Howard Stern Show, Carrey discussed aspects of his semi-autobiographical novel, Memoirs and Misinformation, including his initial encounter with Ronstadt at one of his comedy performances.
“She approached me and said, ‘Wow, you’re really good. Would you like to come on the road with me?’ I responded, ‘No, but I’ll go out with you,'” Carrey recounted. “I was turning down a job that I needed because I had no money. She made a face, then said, ‘OK.’
Carrey explained that although it might have seemed like a superficial relationship from the outside, Ronstadt showed him great respect. “She appreciated my talent and respected it,” Carrey said. “We would spend time together, and she’d tell me, ‘You’re going to be where I am. You’re going to handle all these things I’ve handled.’
Reflecting on their time together, Carrey described the relationship as a “beautiful eight months,” acknowledging that they both knew it wouldn’t last forever. “I have immense respect for her. She’s an incredible human being,” he added.
