Jim Carrey's Daughter Is All Grown Up

Jim Carrey is known for starring in some of the biggest comedy movies of the '90s and for dating some of Hollywood's most popular leading ladies, but what many may not realize is that he's also a proud father to one.

On Sept. 6, 1987, the actor and then-wife Melissa Womer welcomed their baby girl, Jane Erin Carrey, into the world. Although the couple's marriage didn't last (Jim and Melissa called it quits in December 1995), their little girl has always been a major part of his life. From supporting her musical dreams (Jim was the first to call her after she auditioned for American Idol) to spoiling her son, whose birth he dubbed an "explosion of pure bliss," the funnyman has proven he has a real soft spot for his only child. Here's everything you need to know about Jim Carrey's beautiful and talented daughter, who is now all grown up.

She was born from love that went sour

Comedian Jim Carrey has had a slew of high-profile relationships with some of Hollywood's biggest names, from Renée Zellweger to Jenny McCarthy, but before he started stepping out with A-listers, he found his first love in a comedy club.

While doing stand-up at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, a then-unknown Carrey met aspiring actress Melissa Womer, who was working as a waitress at the venue. They tied the knot in 1987 and had Jane that same year, but the marriage wasn't all joy and laughter. Womer said she dealt with an "extremely depressive person" and would "sit up counselling him ... until four or five in the morning on many, many nights," according to the Daily Mail. When the comedian finally hit it big with 1994's Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, he allegedly "decided he wanted to enjoy success from the perspective of a single man."

The pair divorced in 1995. By then, Carrey had already started dating his Dumb and Dumber co-star, Lauren Holly, whom he married the following year.

Her mom tried to give her a 'prestigious lifestyle'

While growing up, Jane Carrey spent most of her time with her mother, only visiting her dad about 10 percent of the year, according to The Smoking Gun, but when Jane was 15, her mom tried to get more money out of her ex in order to provide her daughter with the same "prestigious lifestyle" she was accustomed to with her A-list dad. 

When Jim and Melissa Carrey initially split in 1995, Jane was just 7 years old and Jim reportedly agreed to pay $10,000 in monthly child support, but Jane's needs had apparently "increased significantly" as she got older and expressed an interest in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. According to The Smoking Gun, Melissa wanted to provide her daughter with the same "type of home and amenities" as her ex-husband, including a personal trainer, and "at least one skiing trip per year" with "a private skiing instructor to work with her." In court papers, Melissa said she also wanted their daughter to have "personal security," a $200,000 home exercise studio, and horseback riding lessons, reported the Houston Chronicle.

Jim's rep told the Chronicle that Jane's parents reached an agreement but declined to discuss its terms.

She's extremely proud of her heritage

Jane Carrey is so proud of her Canadian-American heritage (Jim was born in Ontario), that she got an ode to it permanently tattooed on her body.  

The aspiring singer showed off the ink on her left shoulder while attending the premiere of Forgetting Sarah Marshall in 2008. The design pays tribute to her mixed roots. It features a maple leaf (the same motif that's found on the Canadian flag) outlined in black and colored in with the American flag. The statement-making piece, which takes up some serious real estate on her arm, isn't her only tattoo. Jane also has what appears to be flowers and a bird adorning her right shoulder blade and three lines of script across her back, which Perez Hilton compared to Angelina Jolie's infamous work.

She auditioned for American Idol

When Season 11 of American Idol rolled though San Diego in 2012, judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and Randy Jackson were treated to one particularly unexpected audition: Jane Carrey's.

"The last name definitely helps and hurts," a 24-year-old Jane told viewers before trying out for the hit reality TV show. "There's this pressure to be better because if I make it somewhere, I run the risk of people saying, 'You only got there because of [your name],'" she said, adding, "I'm here to make my place in the world." The aspiring songstress belted out Bonnie Raitt's "Something to Talk About" and received mixed feedback. Even so, she made it through to Hollywood, as Jackson proclaimed, "I like you. I like the voice. I like the potential."

Following her audition, host Ryan Seacrest spoke to Jim Carrey over the phone (via Us Weekly). "She's so wonderful and amazing to me," the proud papa gushed. "I can't wait for the world to understand what she has inside of her. This is going to be a fantastic year." Alas, Jane was sent home on the first night of Hollywood Week.

She came under fire for getting special treatment

Despite her very short-lived stint on American Idol, which lasted all of two performances, Jane Carrey came under fire for reportedly receiving special treatment from producers during the audition process.

An source told Radar Online that the celeb kid's audition experience was extremely different than the average contestant's. Jane allegedly "didn't have to sleep outside and wait for hours hoping to audition like everyone else" and "basically had an appointment and showed up." The insider said, "American Idol always says they don't give everyone favours, but this time they did for Jane."

Regardless, Jane's last name didn't help her make the final cut. She was sent packing after her rendition of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Lookin' Out My Back Door." After the performance, Jane said (via Us Weekly), "I freaked out when I was there so I was really really shaky. I know I can do way better than that so I'm really disappointed."

She married a metal singer

In November 2009, a 22-year-old Jane Carrey said, "I do," to fellow musician Alex Santana. Jane, the frontwoman of the Jane Carrey Band, and her beau, the lead singer of Blood Money — a hardcore and heavy metal group from Milwaukee, exchanged vows after her dad walked his little girl down the aisle.

"It was a beautiful day. Simple and sweet. I wish them everything that love has given us," Jim Carrey told People. Taking to Twitter, the actor told his followers: "My Jane is a married woman. Days ago her and my new son-in-law Alex got hitched. The day was simply perfect... lots of love there."

The newlyweds were already expecting their first child at the time, and they soon hit another major milestone just a few months later, when they became parents in February 2010. Jim was also looking forward to that moment, telling People in July 2009, "I am very excited." He added, "Jane is going to be a great mom."

She was 'afraid' of becoming a mother

On Feb. 26, 2010, Jane Carrey and hubby Alex Santana welcomed their first child into the world, a baby boy named Jackson Riley Santana. Born at 12:28 a.m. in Los Angeles, the bundle of joy arrived weighing 7 lbs., 11 oz and clocking in at 20 inches long.

The pregnancy wasn't without stress, however. The first-time mom told People she had some reservations when it came to gender. She explained that she'd wanted a boy "because [she] never really got along with girls growing up." She noted, "I was a little afraid that if it was a girl that she would not like me, you know? So I'm very happy about the boy."

Little Jackson's grandpa was also over the moon about the new addition to the family. Jim Carrey introduced his first grandchild to the world with a photo and a tweet: "Jackson Riley Santana, My Grandson, Born today! This is what 7lbs.11oz. of California dynomite [sic] looks like!"

Her love story came crashing down

Sadly, Jane Carrey's marriage wasn't meant to be. According to Us Weekly, the new mom filed for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court in October 2011, citing irreconcilable differences as the main reason for the couple's split. Jane asked the court for shared legal and physical custody of their son. After their initial split in 2010, Jim Carrey's rep assured People that Jane and Alex Santana "will remain friends, as well as devoted parents." Amidst the heartbreak, Jane spent time with her dad, reportedly traveling to New York with her son to visit Jim on the set of Mr. Popper's Penguins. 

Speaking with Access Hollywood, Jim Carrey reminisced about the moment he became a grandpa to Jackson. "When it happened, oh my gosh, it was just like an explosion of pure bliss. He is the coolest dude on earth." He added, "I'm the grandfather that wants to improve him and stuff like that. 'Start reading to him right now! While he's playing soccer! He must be a super being!'"