Jim Carrey is once again at the centre of an online conspiracy theory after his recent appearance at the César Awards prompted social media users to claim he looked 'unrecognisable.'
The speculation, which has circulated for years, suggests without evidence that the actor was 'cloned' or replaced. There is no credible proof supporting those claims, but the rumour continues to swirl.
Videos and photos from the French awards ceremony began circulating online shortly after the event, with some users commenting on what they described as changes in Carrey's facial features and demeanour.
Origins of the Cloning Claims
The 'Jim Carrey clone' narrative appears to have emerged around 2014–2017, during a period when the actor made a series of unconventional public comments about existentialism, identity and power structures.
In 2014, Carrey appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and jokingly referenced the Illuminati while making a triangle hand gesture. In the interview, he suggested that media figures were sometimes used as distractions. The segment was widely shared online, and some viewers interpreted his remarks as more than satire.
By 2017, following the overdose death of his former girlfriend, Cathriona White and his increasingly philosophical interviews, including a red carpet moment where he said 'Jim Carrey doesn't exist,' conspiracy forums began suggesting he had been 'replaced' after speaking out.
However, it should be noted that Carrey has long discussed spirituality, ego, and identity in interviews, and these themes have been consistent with his beliefs. Hence, when he spoke about existentialism, it is possible that these ideas stemmed only from those beliefs.
Why the César Awards Sparked More Rumours
Clips from the César Awards resurfaced the theory largely because some viewers claimed the actor's face looked 'swollen' or 'too smooth.' Others pointed to what they described as 'dead eyes' or a change in tone.
🚨 HAS JIM CARREY BEEN REPLACED? NEW RED CARPET FOOTAGE HAS FANS ASKING IF HE WAS CLONED
— HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) February 27, 2026
New video from the 2026 César Awards in Paris is going viral after viewers noticed something very off about the Hollywood actor.
Watch closely.
What do YOU see? pic.twitter.com/t13tCpkibL
Similar claims were made after his appearance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in 2025, where social media users again questioned his appearance.
However, some reports have previously cited plastic surgeons who had not treated Carrey, suggesting that normal ageing, lighting, weight fluctuations, or possible cosmetic procedures could explain perceived differences. None of those observations constitutes evidence of cloning.
Carrey, who is now in his 60s, has also spoken publicly about stepping back from acting and living a quieter life, which may contribute to shifts in public perception.
The Broader Context of Celebrity Replacement Theories
Celebrity 'replacement' or 'cloning' conspiracies are not something new for social media. One of the best-known examples is the long-running claim that Paul McCartney died in the 1960s and was secretly replaced, a theory that has been repeatedly debunked over the decades.
More recently, similar claims have circulated about rappers and actors following physical transformations, prison sentences or extended absences from public view.
In Carrey's case, some proponents link the theory to his outspoken positions on vaccines, influenced in part by his past relationship with Jenny McCarthy, as well as his critiques of Hollywood culture.
Also, according to experts, visible changes in celebrities, particularly ageing actors who appear less frequently in public, often become catalysts for speculative narratives.
Recently, Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted for sex trafficking and related crimes, was also subjected to this theory when she appeared during a House committee interview from prison. She appeared with a slightly blurry image, given she was connected, probably via a Zoom call, but the second she was off, theories that 'she was not real Maxwell' started to pick up heat.
Something similar is happening with actor, singer and beauty brand owner, Selena Gomez, as well, with many claiming she was 'replaced.' Carrey, on the other hand, has never reacted to or spoken about this wave of speculation.
