Fire Marshall Bill is one of Jim Carrey’s most well-known characters from the sketch show In Living Color, and he has a tragic backstory. With the triple threat of Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and The Mask, Jim Carrey became an instant Hollywood celebrity in 1994. His signature crazy humor and rubber-faced antics were huge hits with moviegoers all over the world, and he solidified his popularity as The Riddler in 1995’s Batman Forever.
Jim Carrey used to switch back and forth between studio comedy and more dramatic performances in films like The Truman Show during his prime. Carrey hasn’t made many films in the recent decade, and after appearing in a minor role in the 2013 sequel Kick-Ass 2, he effectively repudiated the film. He’s been a touch more active in recent years, starring in Showtime’s Kidding and reprising the type of high-octane role that launched his career as Dr. Robotnik in 2020’s Sonic The Hedgehog.
Before his cinematic debut, Jim Carrey was best known for his role in Keenen Ivory Wayans’ trailblazing sketch show In Living Color. Many of Wayans’ brothers, including Damon, Kim, and Shawn, were also cast members, while Jamie Foxx joined the ensemble in season 4. Carrey would be a recurring character on the show for all five seasons, with Fire Marshall Bill being one of them. Bill is a terrifying creature who emerges in numerous circumstances to teach fire safety, but generally ends up severely injured or blown up in the process. Carrey revealed the character’s dark origins in a retrospective interview with THR in 2019.