As theChristmasseason comes around, streaming services and network television bombard their services with Christmas-themed shows and films. More specifically, around this time of year, the return of classic Christmas movies and shows. One popular iconic film isHow the Grinch Stole Christmas, both theanimated film and the live-action. AlthoughTheodor GeiselakaDr. Seusswas involved with the 1966 film, he had nothing to do with the live-action film released in 2000.
While based onDr. Seuss’s original story, the live-action ofHow the Grinch Stole ChristmasstarringJim Carreyis only loosely based, as it takes on a lot of creative liberties from character personality to plot line. And though it doesn’t follow its original story closely, it is a spectacular adaptation, making it into something entirely distinct on its own. However, to get this iconic masterpiece,there was plenty of development and wild behind-the-scene moments that fans aren’t aware of.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
10The Make-Up For The Grinch Was No Laughing Matter
The whole process was several hours long.
One spectacular feat of the live-action filmHow the Grinch Stole Christmaswas the fact thatThe Grinch’s makeup was real with barely any digital altercations.Rich Baker, a retired special make-up effects artist, was the make-up artist responsible for the design and prosthetics for The Grinch and Whoville makeup. Initially, Jim Carrey was satisfied with the design, though the actual process ended up being a several-hour-long process. According toCarrey’s conversation onThe Graham Norton Show, the makeup process initially took a little over eight hours.
Carrey’s makeup artist,Kazu Hiro,is a special makeup effects artist who has been nominated and won several awards for his talents. ForHow the Grinch Stole Christmas, Hiro won a BAFTA award for Best Hair and Makeup, though the makeup process was a long one. Though very talented,Hiro recalled inVulturesome not-so-fond moments with Carrey initially, often pointing out minuscule differences or variations in makeup from previous sessions since it was done over a period of 92 days. This led to the amazing makeup that madeThe Grinchso much more real and alive.
9Jim Carrey’s Prosthetics Caused the Actor Serious Pain
Because of the heavy amount of prosthetics and makeup that Jim Carrey had to wear, he compared the experience to “being buried alive every day.” Not to mention, with the makeup process being so long—the equivalent of a work shift alone—Carrey couldn’t withstand the process nor the suffocating feeling. As a result, producerBrian Grazersuggestedhiring someone who taught CIA operatives torture endurance.
Perhaps the suffering endured by Carrey suggests that his acting and improvisation as the sour and agitated Grinch was close to authentic.
Some coping methods included smoking a lot, eating everything in sight when he felt hungry, and even punching himself in the thigh. From this experience,Carrey focused on endurance training commonly used for torture through various methods and techniques, and the makeup for The Grinch was worn approximately one hundred times, as reported by Carrey. Perhaps the suffering endured by Carrey suggests that his acting and improvisation as the sour and agitated Grinch was close to authentic.
8Jim Carrey Made Many Creative Choices
He improvised many scenes, including where he recites his schedule.
It’s universally acknowledged that Jim Carrey provides some hilarious moments in his turn as the green curmudgeon of Whoville. One of the most popular scenes fromHow the Grinch Stole Christmasis the scene where The Grinch recites his schedule when he is invited to the Whobilation by Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen).
In an effort to avoid going, The Grinch goes through his schedule, hour by hour. This scene is beloved for The Grinch’s overdramatization of his schedule, eliciting laughs everywhere. However, this scene—along with a few others—was improvised entirely by Jim Carrey.
7Ron Howard Takes a Turn as The Grinch
The director dressed up in full costume to boost morale on set.
Because of the intense makeup and costuming of Jim Carrey and the rest of the Whoville citizens, it’s no surprise that recording sessions were tense sometimes. So, directorRon Howard’s brotherClint Howardmade a suggestion.
His brother suggested that Ron boost morale somehow, be it through a prank or a joke.Ron Howard opted to dress up as The Grinch, donning the full costume, except for the contacts, as those tended to require a bit too much work for a joke. Still, Howard in full costume is a memory that is remembered fondly by his daughter,Bryce Dallas Howard.
6Jim Carrey Puts His Directing Hat On
Jim Carrey was known for improvising quite a few scenes inThe Grinch. In addition to the scene where The Grinch lists his excuses for rejecting Cindy,Carrey also improvised the directing scene between him and his dog, Max.
Originally not intended to be part of the film, Carrey decidedto mimic Ron Howard’s directing stylewith Max. Though meant to be a joke with Carrey making fun of Howard, it appeared that Howard enjoyed it. Clearly, he did, because he decided to keep the scene in the film.
5Jack Nicholson and Robin Williams Were Almost The Grinch
Even Eddie Murphy was considered for the role.
No one could imagine anyone else as The Grinch besides Jim Carrey, who had done a spectacular job and put on an incredible performance. However,Carrey was almost not cast not in the titular role.
Other potential contenders for The Grinch wereJack Nicholson, who played psycho Jack inThe Shining,and the hilariousRobin Williams, who played the Genie in the hit animatedDisneymovie,Aladdin. Plus,according toVulture,Eddie Murphywas also up for the role. Though Williams is insanely funny, his humor is quite distinct from Carrey’s, and Nicholson could have made The Grinch a little too bleak or sadistic.
4The Secret Behind The Grinch’s Distinctive Eyes
His yellow eyes were a mix of digital effects and real contact lenses.
In the filmHow the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Grinch is portrayed with yellow eyes. Jim Carrey’s costume consisted of dyed yak fur, green paint, prosthetics, and enlarged, yellow contact lenses.
However, there were times that Carrey’s eyes would burn from the lenses, causing visible irritation. Not to mention, the lenses would catch the fake snow. After some time,the film crew opted out in place of digital effects on Carrey’s eyesso that he didn’t have to wear the lenses anymore.
3The Whos Were More Talented Than You Thought
Some Whoville citizens were Cirque du Soleil performers.
InHow the Grinch Stole Christmas, one unique aspect of the original that the live-action film developed further was the Whoville citizens. This is especially true of Cindy Lou Who, her family, and Martha May Whovier (Christine Baranski), the love interest of the Grinch and the mayor (Jeffrey Tambor).
However, to perfectly adapt the Whos from the original book and animation,the film brought in Cirque du Soleil performers. This was because, in the original material,many of the Who citizens performed acrobatics, and the Cirque du Soleil performers were the perfect casting choices for the citizens.
2The Grinch Wasn’t Originally Planned to Be Green
The Grinch’s fur was almost white!
The Grinch is best known for his bright green fur and golden-yellow eyes. An iconic appearance inthe Dr. Seuss world, The Grinch is as popular as the Cat fromThe Cat in the Hat. However, he almost had an entirely different appearance.
Apparently,The Grinch in the live-actionHow the Grinch Stole Christmasalmost had white fur and pink-red eyes. This was supposed to match the original book in which the pictures were black-and-white apart from the red coloring. However,this ended up copying the animated version, which ultimately became the default appearance of The Grinch.
1The Grinch’s Tablecloth Scene Was Supposed to Fail
Apparently, Jim Carrey isthatgood.
By now, it is established thatJim Carrey improvised many scenesinHow the Grinch Stole Christmas. Among many of Jim Carrey’s famous improvised scenes was the tablecloth scene. In this scene,The Grinch rips a tablecloth from a table and almost perfectly keeps everything intact.
Originally in the script, Carrey was supposed to rip the cloth from the table and pull everything with it. However, upon his first take filming this scene, he didn’t make a mess at all. Being the improviser that he was,Carrey provided some ad-lib to go with it, thus turning it into an iconic scene fromone of the best Christmas movies.
