Leave it to Céline Dion to show the Grinch the power of love.
The singer of “These Are Special Times” showed off her funny side by playfully imitating the Grinch, taking inspiration from Jim Carrey’s famous performance in the 2000 movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Oh my gosh, you HAVE to see this! She totally transformed! She went ALL OUT – a full Grinch costume, the furry green suit, the makeup… everything! And she didn’t just wear it, she became the Grinch! She even had a Santa coat and hat! She posted this amazing video on Instagram yesterday, December 24th, and perfectly recreated one of the most iconic scenes, but with her own hilarious twist! She acted out the part where the Grinch is frantically checking his calendar, and it was just… perfection. I’ve watched it like ten times already!
“Honestly, the nerve of those Whos, asking me to come all the way down there with so little warning,” Célinesaid, relaxing by the fire with her dog curled up on her lap. “Even if I did want to go, I just don’t have the time!”
The Grammy-winning artist jokingly listed her daily priorities, from vocal exercises to endlessly scrolling on TikTok, and even solving world hunger—but, like the Grinch, she added with a dry wit, ‘Don’t tell anyone.’
As a little something extra, and honestly, only Céline Dion could get away with this, she wove parts of her classic song ‘All By Myself’ into the performance. It was a really clever touch, playing on the fact that this particular creature is famously a bit of a loner!
“Silent night?” she captioned the post. “Not on my watch…”
Although Céline appeared to enjoy the attention the movie was getting on social media, Jim, age 63, recently shared that wearing the Grinch’s difficult green costume and lots of makeup was incredibly challenging and almost made him quit.
He told Vulture that the suit was incredibly itchy, made of yak hair that bothered him all day. Adding to the discomfort, he had long fingers that prevented him from scratching, and prosthetic teeth that made speaking difficult. He also wore full contact lenses that severely limited his vision to a small tunnel.
Director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer managed to persuade Jim to stay involved with the now-popular project, even after he threatened to leave and forfeit his $20 million salary. They enlisted the help of a Navy SEAL commander who taught Jim techniques for enduring discomfort, like self-inflicted pain (punching his leg), smoking during breaks, and eating constantly.
The actor maintained a positive attitude, boosted by one of pop music’s most beloved groups—a group Céline has actually worked with before.
He said he listened to every song by the Bee Gees while getting his makeup done. He described their music as incredibly cheerful and expressed his gratitude to Barry Gibb, even though they’ve never met.
Interested in learning more about how How the Grinch Stole Christmas was made? Read on to discover fascinating details – and maybe even feel your heart grow a little bit!
Jim Carrey famously stayed in character both on and off screen while portraying comedian Andy Kaufman in the 1999 film Man on the Moon.
Because filming for both How the Grinch Stole Christmas and another movie started in the same year, the lead actor had a busy schedule with some overlapping commitments.
During a Q&A at the 2017 Venice Film Festival, where his documentary Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond premiered, Jim Carrey explained that his persona at the time was so different that ‘Jim Carrey didn’t exist.’ He also noted that his experience embodying Andy Kaufman even influenced his performance as the Grinch.
Carrey mentioned he once spent two hours on the phone with Howard, but he stayed in character as Andy the entire time while they reviewed notes.
“It was psychotic at times,” he admitted.
According to director Ron Howard, Jim Carrey even met with Audrey Geisel, the widow of Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel), while preparing to play the Grinch.
Audrey controlled her late husband’s legacy, having final approval over any projects related to it.
But apparently she appreciated Carrey’s commitment to both characters.
Howard recalled telling Empire magazine in 2000 that he’d invited Mrs. Geisel to the film set. He described how Jim Carrey would switch between impersonating Andy Kaufman and then fully embodying the Grinch – complete with the character’s signature grin – captivating her attention. When Howard finally pitched his movie idea, she immediately responded with enthusiasm, saying she wanted Carrey to play the Grinch, which was exactly what he’d hoped to hear, as he wouldn’t have considered making the film with anyone else.
This was just the start, as Carrey later provided the voice for Horton in the popular 2008 animated film, Horton Hears a Who!
In Dr. Seuss’s “Horton Hears a Who!” (1954), the town of Whoville is so small you can’t even tell you’re there, and the entire planet is said to be no bigger than a tiny speck of dust.
Interestingly, according to the established story within Dr. Seuss’s books, the tiny Whos that Horton hears actually come from the same Whoville that’s featured in How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Taylor Momsen, the actress who played Cindy Lou Who at age seven, used to receive candy bars from Jim Carrey, who brought them from his home country of Canada.
According to the Gossip Girl actress, he would jokingly tell people she “used to give him too much candy.” He’d use this as an excuse if he forgot his lines, claiming he was “all hyped up” on sugar. She shared this story with TopMob in 2000, adding, “It’s just a funny story he likes to tell.”
Although she remembered giving him toffees, she couldn’t recall what kind of chocolate bar he liked best. However, he vividly remembered being surrounded by his favorite treat.
She knew I loved Crunchies – they were my favorite chocolate bar from Canada – and she kept giving them to me,” he explained to TopMob.
Okay, seriously, hearing Marin say this just gets me. Apparently, working with James Horner – the James Horner, who did Titanic! – on Cindy Lou Who’s songs totally changed everything for her. She realized right then and there that making music wasn’t just something she liked, it was everything she wanted. I mean, can you imagine?! Working with that legend and having it spark a lifelong passion? It’s amazing!
In a 2020 interview on TODAY, the lead singer of Pretty Reckless recalled the powerful experience of her first time recording in a professional studio. She described walking into a beautiful space and feeling inspired while singing ‘Where Are You, Christmas?’ into a microphone. That moment, she said, solidified her passion for music and her desire to pursue it as a lifelong career. She realized she loved being in the recording studio.
Performing the tune on set, Momsen said, “essentially, that was my first music video.”
Jim Carrey shared with TopMob that everyone involved felt like they were creating something extraordinary. He remembered thinking, every time he arrived on set, ‘This is absolutely wild!’
He described feeling as though he’d stepped into The Wizard of Oz, constantly wondering about the original filmmakers’ creative process and being impressed by their ingenuity.
Meanwhile, Momsen did her communing with the 1939 Judy Garland classic before she came to set.
“I love how creative you are,” she said. “When I was little, I’d often dress up as Dorothy or pretend to be Glinda and play around the house.”
Makeup artist Kazu Hiro initially created a Grinch look that the studio felt was too extreme. They wanted Jim Carrey to still be clearly recognizable, so they asked Kazu to make the transformation less dramatic.
In a 2000 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Hiro explained that their initial plan for the Grinch’s makeup was simple: just paint Jim Carrey green, add some shading and highlights, and give him a wig. However, Carrey initially preferred minimal makeup so he could move freely. He even filmed himself making Grinch-like faces, which looked good, but he soon realized that a simple green face and wig wouldn’t be enough to become the Grinch. He ultimately agreed that their more elaborate approach was the better way to go.
After many failed attempts to improve the Grinch’s look, and with filming starting in less than a week, they finally returned to the original design created by Hiro.
Hiro remembered that a typical day began between 5 and 6 a.m. He estimated he worked on Jim Carrey’s makeup four days a week for three months. The makeup application itself took around two hours and ten minutes. With his assistant, Amy Schmiederer, he worked efficiently to avoid keeping Jim in the makeup chair for extended periods.
The makeup process involved three key stages: first, applying foam rubber pieces to his face, covering everything except his lower lip and chin; next, painting the color; and finally, attaching the hairpieces and wig. Jim took a 10 to 30 minute break after completing each stage.
Hari said the hardest part was keeping the makeup looking good all day, since things like moving around and sweating can cause it to fade or smear.
According to Hari, Jim Carrey was always fidgeting on set, requiring frequent makeup adjustments. However, once he began a scene, he was determined to perfect it, repeatedly performing the same shot multiple times – often at least three or more – to achieve the best possible result. During these takes, he didn’t want anyone to interrupt him for touch-ups.
The artist carried a heavy tool belt – makeup expert Rick Baker thought it weighed around 100 pounds – to ensure he could quickly meet the star’s needs.
In 2001, Gail Rowell-Ryan, the key hairstylist, and her team won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
Time did not make Carrey’s heart grow fonder for the Grinch costume.
Oh my god, can you believe it took him eight and a half hours to get into full makeup the very first time? He talked about it on Graham Norton, and he said it felt like… like being buried alive! It’s just… I can’t even imagine! He suffers for his art, honestly, and it’s so incredible to hear him talk about the dedication. It’s a truly haunting image, but it just makes me love him more, knowing how much effort he puts in.
He explained that he returned to his trailer, physically injured himself by putting his leg through the wall, and told director Ron Howard he had to drop out of the film. Luckily, producer Brian Grazer stepped in with a solution: hiring someone who trains CIA agents in torture resistance to help him get through it.
Carrey remembers being told to distract himself from anxiety in any way possible—by eating, watching TV, breaking routines, or even getting a physical jolt, like a slap or a punch. He was even advised to smoke heavily if needed.
Asked how long this went on for, Carrey said he was in makeup 100 times.
“And you know what got me through it?” he added. “The Bee Gees.”
Carrey wasn’t joking about that.
Hiro told the LA Times that while she was applying makeup, he’d often watch a DVD or listen to music, frequently playing the Bee Gees’ live album – possibly Here at Last…Bee Gees…Live from 1977.
The artist explained that she eventually started applying makeup in sync with the music on an album. She even used the music to check her timing! One Friday, a colleague named Jim borrowed the CD. Worried he might not return it and disrupt her makeup routine, she quickly bought a replacement copy and brought it to work the following week.
Which was good thinking, he said, because Carrey did forget to bring the CD back.
Carrey later autographed Hiro’s copy.
On the day Carrey recalled putting his leg through the wall, Hiro felt the tension in the air.
As a long-time fan, I always find it fascinating to hear behind-the-scenes stories! Apparently, every first day of shooting always has its hiccups, but this one was particularly nerve-wracking. It was the first time they actually put the complete look – the final design – on Jim, and they weren’t sure how he’d react. The director told the LA Times he and Jim were both really anxious. Turns out, Jim wasn’t happy with how the wig covered his neck, so they had to make adjustments right there on set before they could even begin filming. It’s amazing to me how they problem-solve on the fly like that!
And, he added, “Jim is a perfectionist, and every time there was a change, he said something.”
Hiro explained that Jim’s biggest issue with the makeup was his contact lenses. The set used fake snow made of crushed paper, and tiny particles were constantly floating in the air. This dust kept getting trapped between the lenses and Jim’s eyes, causing him discomfort.
Howard said Carrey was a guy who really couldn’t wear contacts.
The director explained to Empire that the actor had to go through with a difficult process because it was essential for his character. However, they often had an eye doctor on set with a magnifying glass, as the actor frequently got debris in his eyes, which sometimes prevented them from filming.
A mistake during the editing of the 2000 film How the Grinch Stole Christmas briefly showed Jim Carrey’s real eyes – without his green contact lenses. In one frame, as the Grinch discovers Whoville is still celebrating Christmas, you can clearly see Carrey’s brown eyes, and this moment went viral in 2022.
Jim Carrey described learning to cope with discomfort as a “real lesson in Zen.” He explained that he would sometimes playfully punch himself in the leg during difficult moments, letting those around him know he was struggling. He discovered a technique for managing pain – briefly pinching himself to shift his focus. While challenging at first, he eventually adapted, remarking on the incredible ability of people to become accustomed to anything.
Carrey would waste no time getting de-Grinched after filming wrapped for the day.
As Hari remembered in an interview with the LA Times, the lens, suit, and I would rush over to Jim Carrey after each take and quickly start removing his Grinch costume. All that would remain was the Grinch mask itself—without the wig—and the black spandex suit he wore underneath. Then he’d head back to his trailer to rest and begin taking off the makeup pieces himself.
Jim Carrey saved bits of the foam rubber that came off his face during makeup and kept them in a bag with the daily filming schedule. He then gave these pieces to crew members as keepsakes.
At the time, Hiro said all was well that ended well.
According to an interview with the Times, about two months after filming wrapped, Jim and I spoke again. He told me he appreciated my work and thanked me for a job well done. I thanked him in return, acknowledging how challenging the experience was for him. I think How the Grinch Stole Christmas was the most difficult film I’ve ever been a part of. It’s a positive memory, but we definitely wouldn’t repeat it!
Interestingly, Hiro—now a two-time Oscar winner for his work on the 2017 film Darkest Hour and the 2019 film Bombshell—began attending therapy following his time on HTGSC.
In a 2018 interview with Vulture, Hiro explained that things became so difficult a producer actually suggested he temporarily leave the project – as a way to demonstrate to Jim Carrey how vital Hiro was to the film. While the movie required a large makeup team, Hiro was the sole artist specifically credited with working on the Grinch’s makeup.
According to Hiro, Carrey didn’t respond to his call after a week. However, Howard said Carrey promised he was working on improving his behavior.
Although his friends told him to ask for a significant raise, the artist, who was born in Kyoto, chose to request the studio’s assistance with obtaining a green card instead.
It was successful, and he later became a U.S. citizen. He also discovered through therapy that he was naturally an introvert.
Boris Karloff, famous for playing Frankenstein, actually narrated and provided the voice for the Grinch in the 1966 animated TV special How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Because of this, a lot of people believe he also sang the famous song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
It wasn’t him. The singer had actually been Thurl Ravencroft, and he was also the voice of Tony the Tiger in Frosted Flakes commercials for many years.
For the 2000 film, sans exclamation point, Carrey did his own vocal on the classic tune.
Howard acknowledged the film’s production was unusual. The set and costume teams, thankfully with the original children’s book as a guide, had to wait for the script to be completed before they could begin their work.
Jim Carrey didn’t stick to the script, instead making up lines on the spot, like his memorable, “6:30 p.m. Dinner with me. I can’t cancel that again.”
Director Ron Howard has frequently cast his brother, Clint Howard, in his movies, appearing in 17 films together over the years—from 1977’s Grand Theft Auto all the way to 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story.
That’s Clint portraying Mayor Augustus May and his overly flattering assistant, Bris, in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
Clint also came up with the idea of having his older brother dress up as the Grinch to cheer everyone up.
Howard explained to Empire that everyone was feeling a bit discouraged, and he wanted to do something to lift spirits. He decided to wear makeup as a way of acknowledging the difficult situation. One morning, he surprised Jim and the rest of the crew by showing up in costume, which he hoped would bring a little levity and show his willingness to persevere through the tough times.
He didn’t like wearing contact lenses at all. Howard explained it wasn’t worth the cost of getting a custom pair just for one day, and added, quite simply, that he ‘didn’t want to wear the damn things’.
Jim Carrey struggled with intense anxiety and claustrophobia while wearing the Grinch suit, even having panic attacks and needing to breathe into a paper bag. Director Ron Howard often tried to boost his spirits. He would later share the film’s massive $350 million worldwide success with Carrey.
As someone who’s been around the entertainment industry a while, I always love hearing about genuine connections between actors. In this case, Ron Howard – you might remember him as a child star on shows like the 1950s sitcom – discovered a fellow actor was a massive Don Knotts fan. Knowing Don played the beloved Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show alongside him, Ron went above and beyond and invited Don to come visit the set. It’s those kinds of thoughtful gestures that really make a production feel special, don’t you think?
In a 2023 interview with Graham Bensinger, Howard recalled wishing he’d been filming when Jim Carrey, whom he called a “genius impressionist,” flawlessly impersonated Don Knotts while wearing his Grinch costume.
According to Howard, he empathized with the pain Jim Carrey was experiencing, but ultimately believed Carrey needed to do what he felt was necessary.
And, er, why was Carrey doing this again?
He explained that his lifelong love of the Grinch was what originally inspired him to take on such a challenging project.
I’ve always been struck by his transformation, because it shows anyone can change,” he told TopMob in 2000. “Most people simply want to feel included, and if you offer them that chance, they’ll usually take it.
And he also wanted to call foul on the avarice.
Jim Carrey explained that the book, at its core, reflects the true meaning of Christmas. He believes Dr. Seuss wanted to remind people what Christmas is really about – a time for self-reflection and focusing on what truly matters. Despite all the commercial aspects, Christmas still resonates because it’s fundamentally about family, love, and accepting one another, reminding us that we’re all connected.
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2025-12-24 22:50