Jim Carrey is undeniably one of Hollywood’s most gifted and prolific entertainers, charming audiences with his lively slapstick performances. With a stellar career spanning over 30 years, the actor has starred in a slew of celebrated films like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, Bruce Almighty, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, cementing his status as one of the industry’s most sensational comedians. Carrey movies truly stand out from the typical comedy pack.

Carrey has also showcased his range as an actor with critically-acclaimed roles in dramatic works such as The Truman Show, Man on the Moon, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, winning prestigious awards like two Golden Globes and multiple People’s Choice Awards for his portrayals. While fans may have a hard time choosing their favorite Carrey flick, it’s interesting to look at the popular parts the zany star failed to nab. These are the major roles Jim Carrey didn’t get or turned down.

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Ferris Bueler’s Day Off (Didn’t Get)

     Paramount Pictures

Matthew Broderick became a household name when he skyrocketed to stardom as the eponymous lovable slacker in the 1986 teen comedy Ferris Bueler’s Day Off, which follows the character as he skips school and gets into hilarious misadventures with his girlfriend and close pal.

Though John Hughes had Broderick in mind when he wrote the character, he also had other up-and-coming actors audition for the comedic role, including Johnny Depp, Michael J. Fox, John Cusack, and a then-unknown Jim Carrey. Though the now iconic part was nabbed by Broderick, Carrey would go on to find immense success in the 1990s and became a celebrated comedian in his own right.

Elf (Turned Down)

     New Line Cinema

Will Ferrell delighted audiences across the world with his portrayal of a lovable human raised by elves in the 2003 Christmas comedy classic Elf, capturing the hearts of both the old and young and becoming a beloved holiday staple. Jon Favreau directed the feel-good flick, with Saturday Night Live favorite Ferrell brilliantly bringing the eccentric Buddy to life as he searches for his father in New York City.

Despite the role now being one of his most celebrated, Ferrell almost wasn’t cast as the endearing character; both Chris Farley and Jim Carrey were early contenders for portraying Buddy when the script was first written in 1993. Though Carrey was offered the role, the project went into development hell and the comedian walked away from the film. While he never starred as the wannabe elf, he did appear in another Christmas hit, 2000’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Edward Scissorhands (Didn’t Get)

     20th Century Fox

The king of gothic fantasy, Tim Burton, directed the epic 1990 hit Edward Scissorhands, in which Johnny Depp portrays the titular character with scissor blades for hands who is taken in by a kind Avon saleswoman and brought to suburbia. Depp was able to break free from the teen idol status he earned from starring in 21 Jump Street with the film and the role marked the decades-long collaboration with Burton.

Though it’s hard to imagine anyone else capturing the essence of the quirky character, other celebrated stars were in the running for the lead role including John Cusack, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Cruise, and Carrey before Depp won the career-making part.

Toy Story (Didn’t Get)

     Disney

Widely regarded as one of the best animated films ever made, the 1995 blockbuster comedy Toy Story tells the wondrous tale of toys that come to life when humans are not present, introducing moviegoers to the enemies-turned-friends duo Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Prior to Tom Hanks and Tim Allen voicing the iconic characters, an early draft for the comedy had Paul Newman as Woody and Jim Carrey as Buzz Lightyear (after both Billy Crystal and Bill Murray turned down the part).

However, despite reports that Carrey passed on the role over salary disputes, co-writer Joss Whedon revealed the actual reason was the actor’s then lack of star power. Whedon once revealed, “We were still casting. Disney put the kibosh on the person they wanted for Buzz Lightyear because he wasn’t famous enough, so we couldn’t use Jim Carrey.”

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (Turned Down)

     Walt Disney Pictures

Johnny Depp became a certified box-office leading man when he starred as the perpetually drunk, trickster pirate Captain Jack Sparrow in 2003’s Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, helping launch a lucrative and enduring film franchise. While Depp has become synonymous with the fan-favorite swashbuckler, the face of the film series could have had quite a different look; fellow oddball Jim Carrey was initially offered the part by director Gore Verbinksi. The comedian was forced to drop-out of the film when its production schedule overlapped with his work in Bruce Amighty, opening up the coveted spot for Depp.

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (Turned Down)

Comedic genius Mike Myers wrote and headlined the sidesplitting 1997 big-screen extravaganza Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, a parody of the James Bond films that featured Myers as the groovy and fun-loving secret agent Austin Powers as he takes on his arch nemesis Dr. Evil. When Myers was writing the comedy’s screenplay he specifically wrote the villainous Austin Powers character for Jim Carrey, as the performer initially had no intention of playing multiple roles in the farce.

Though Carrey was interested in portraying the devious Dr. Evil, he had to pass on the part over scheduling conflicts with his film Liar Liar. While it’s interesting to wonder what the comedian would have done with the character, Myers was sensational as Dr. Evil and he was subsequently able to base the character on Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels.

Chaplin (Didn’t Get)

     Carolco Pictures

Robert Downey Jr. delivered a performance of a lifetime when he portrayed worldwide icon and cinema legend Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 biographical dramedy Chaplin, earning an Oscar nomination for his riveting rendition. While the Richard Attenborough picture established Downey Jr. as a gifted dramatic actor, the part of the Tramp was almost played by Jim Carrey. Financiers were interested in the Ace Ventura star as well as both Robin Williams and Billy Crystal, and were initially hesitant to cast Downey Jr. due to his lack of star power at the time. Regardless, Attenborough pushed for Downey Jr. and he was ultimately awarded the role.

Scooby-Doo (Didn’t Get)

     Warner Bros.

Fans of the beloved Great Dane cartoon character are all in aggreement that Matthew Lillard was the perfect casting choice to portray Shaggy Rogers in the nostalgia-fueled live-action adaptation of the ’60s animated show. While his performance as the lazy-but-kind-hearted Shaggy in 2002’s Scooby-Doo helped the film become a smash hit at the box office and won the admiration of fans everywhere, a bigger name was once attached to the role. Jim Carrey was set to play the pooch’s lovable owner back in the ’90s but when production hit a snag the comedian got too busy and Lillard would later nab the role.

Meet the Parents (Turned Down)

     Universal Pictures

Ben Stiller hilariously squared off with Robert De Niro in the uproarious 2000 comedy Meet the Parents, with the brilliant actor and filmmaker portraying nurse Greg Focker as he anxiously meets his girlfriend’s parents to ask them for their blessing to propose. Steven Spielberg was originally set to direct the flick with Jim Carrey appearing as Focker, with the comedian revealing to Larry King that he was the one behind the character’s cheeky last name. When Carrey was linked to the role, Focker was written with more physical comedy before Stiller ultimately molded the character to fit his charming approach to humor.