Jim Carrey is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, and he is known for his funny movies. But before he became famous, there was Melissa Womer—the woman who was with him when he was just a struggling comedian trying to make a name for himself.
Many people know Melissa as Jim Carrey’s ex-wife, but there is so much more to her story. She worked hard in Hollywood, supported Jim in his early days, and later chose to live a quiet life.
So, who is Melissa Womer? How did she and Jim Carrey fall in love, and why did their marriage end? And where is she now in 2025? If you want to learn everything about her, keep reading! In this article, we’ll talk about Melissa’s early life, her career, her marriage to Jim Carrey, their divorce, and what she’s doing today. Let’s dive in and find out more!
Quick Facts About Melissa Womer
🎂 Born: July 8, 1960
🗓️ Age: 64 years (as of 2025)
🏡 Hometown: New York City, USA
🎭 Profession: Actress, producer, former waitress
📚 Education: University of Kansas
💍 Ex-Husband: Jim Carrey (1987-1995)
👧 Daughter: Jane Carrey (born in 1987)
👶 Grandchild: Jackson Riley Santana (born in 2010)
💰 Net Worth: Estimated between $4 million – $6 million
🏡 Current Residence: Los Angeles, living a private life
Melissa Womer’s Early Life
Melissa Womer was born on July 8, 1960, in New York City, USA. But her childhood was not easy. She grew up in a difficult family situation where life was full of struggles. Because of this, she had to learn to be strong and independent from a young age. Instead of letting problems stop her, she decided to work hard and build a better future for herself.
Even with these challenges, Melissa never gave up. She worked hard in school and later attended the University of Kansas, where she found something she truly loved—writing and comedy. While studying, she also worked for Q104 Radio in Kansas, where she showed her creative talent and passion for entertainment. This was her first step toward something bigger.
But Melissa wanted more from life. After college, she decided to move to Los Angeles. She knew Hollywood was not easy, but she was ready to work hard and follow her dreams. She didn’t know what would happen next, but one thing was clear—she was ready to make her future bright.
Melissa’s Career in Hollywood
Hollywood can be tough, especially for someone without connections. To support herself, Melissa took a job as a cocktail waitress at The Comedy Store, a famous comedy club where many stand-up comedians like Andrew Santino performed. This was her first time being part of the entertainment. She watched comedians perform every night and saw how the comedy worked.
Even though she was working behind the scenes, Melissa still wanted a career in Hollywood. She didn’t just want to watch others succeed—she wanted to be part of it. Over time, she got small acting roles, including a role in the TV show Petrocelli (1974). Many years later, she also appeared in the movie Man on the Moon (1999), which was about the life of comedian Andy Kaufman.
Melissa also worked as a producer, helping to create projects like Real Stories of the Donut Men (1997) and The Yesterday Show (2004). Even though she worked hard, she never became famous Hollywood star. Instead, the biggest change in her life happened when she met Jim Carrey.
How Melissa Womer Met Jim Carrey
Melissa Womer met Jim Carrey in a very unexpected way—at the comedy club where she worked. Jim wasn’t a big Hollywood star back then. In fact, he was just a young comedian trying to make people laugh and earning only $25 a night. But even though he wasn’t famous yet, he had something special and a unique style of comedy that made him stand out.
Melissa noticed him right away. His jokes were crazy and unpredictable, but she saw he had real talent. The two started talking after shows, sharing stories and laughing together. These chats turned into late-night conversations, and soon, they became more than just friends. In 1986, they officially started dating.
For the next few years, Melissa was always by Jim’s side. While he worked hard to make it in Hollywood, she took on extra jobs to support them financially. She believed in him, but neither of them had any idea how much their lives were about to change.
Their Marriage and Family Life
On March 28, 1987, Jim Carrey and Melissa Womer got married in Santa Monica, California. Their wedding was simple but full of love. Both of them were so happy that they even cried tears of joy on their special day.
A few months later, on September 6, 1987, they had their first and only child, Jane Carrey. Jane later followed her dreams in music, but at that time, she was just a baby with two loving parents.
At this time, Jim Carrey was still not famous. He was working on small TV shows and stand-up comedy. Melissa stood by his side and supported him. She worked hard to keep their family together, believing in Jim’s talent and waiting for the day he would finally reach success.
Jim Carrey Becomes a Star
In 1990, Jim Carrey’s life completely changed when he got a role on In Living Color, a popular comedy show. Before this, he was just another struggling comedian, but now, people started noticing him. He finally got the attention and recognition he had worked so hard for.
By 1994, Jim had become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. That year, he acted in three hit movies that made him famous worldwide:
✔ Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
✔ The Mask
✔ Dumb and Dumber
Jim’s career was now at its highest point, and he was living his dream. But success also brings big changes, and sometimes, it can be hard on relationships. As Jim became busier and more famous, Melissa started to feel left behind. The life they had built together was now shifting in a new direction, and things between them were no longer the same. Let’s see what happens next.
Divorce: Why Did Jim and Melissa Split?
As Jim became more famous, his marriage started to struggle. He was always traveling, filming movies, and busy with Hollywood life. Melissa later said that Jim had changed and was not the same person she married.
On November 1, 1994, Jim filed for divorce. There were rumors that he left Melissa to be with actress Lauren Holly, but Lauren denied this. Melissa later said that “Jim wasn’t a good husband anymore” and that fame had changed him.
Even though their marriage ended, they remained connected because of their daughter, Jane.
Divorce Settlement and Financial Problems
When Melissa Womer and Jim Carrey divorced, money became a big issue. Melissa requested between $5 million and $10 million, but she ultimately received $3.5 million in the settlement.
Jim also paid $10,000 per month in child support. However, in 2003, Melissa asked for more, saying their daughter needed a better lifestyle to match Jim’s rich lifestyle. This child support battle was settled privately, but it showed how difficult things became after their divorce.
Life After Divorce: Where is Melissa Now?
After her split from Jim, Melissa chose a private life. Instead of chasing fame, she focused on raising her daughter, Jane. She made one final appearance in the film Man on the Moon (1999) but soon disappeared from the public eye. Melissa now lives quietly in Los Angeles. She rarely speaks about Jim Carrey and has never remarried.
Melissa as a Mother and Grandmother
Melissa’s daughter, Jane Carrey, followed her dreams but chose a different path from her father. Instead of becoming an actress, she became a singer. In 2012, she even auditioned for American Idol, hoping to make a name for herself in the music world.
Jane later married musician Alex Santana, and in 2010, Melissa became a grandmother when Jane gave birth to Jackson Riley Santana. Today, Melissa is happy as a mother and grandmother. She focuses on her family and prefers a quiet life away from the spotlight.
Jim Carrey’s Life After Melissa
After divorcing Melissa, Jim Carrey’s love life was not stable. He married Lauren Holly, but their marriage lasted only 8 months. Later, he dated Renée Zellweger, Jenny McCarthy, and Cathriona White, but none of these relationships worked out. Jim never got married again, and in recent years, he has stepped away from Hollywood, choosing to live a quieter life.
Melissa Womer’s Net Worth in 2025
As of 2025, Melissa Womer’s net worth is between $4 million and $6 million. According to details, most of her wealth comes from her divorce settlement and her Hollywood work.
Final Thoughts
Melissa Womer may not be as famous as Jim Carrey, but she has her own amazing story. She supported Jim in his toughest years, raised her daughter, and chose to live a life away from the spotlight. Her story reminds us that not all Hollywood stories end in fame.
(FAQs)
Who is Melissa Womer?
Melissa Womer is an American actress and producer best known as Jim Carrey’s first wife. She supported him during his early struggling years in comedy before he became a Hollywood star.
How old is Melissa Womer?
Melissa Womer was born on July 8, 1960. As of 2025, she is 64 years old.
How did Melissa Womer and Jim Carrey meet?
Melissa met Jim Carrey while working as a cocktail waitress at The Comedy Store, a famous comedy club. Jim was a young, struggling comedian, and they started dating in 1986.
When did Melissa and Jim get married?
Melissa and Jim Carrey got married on March 28, 1987, in Santa Monica, California.
Do Melissa and Jim have children?
Yes, they have one daughter, Jane Carrey, born on September 6, 1987.
Did Melissa remarry after divorcing Jim Carrey?
No, Melissa never remarried after her divorce from Jim Carrey. She chose to live a private life focused on her daughter and family.
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