Hollywood legend Jim Carrey mourns the loss of his sister Rita, five years after his brother passed away and nearly two decades after his nephew’s tragic death
Hollywood actor Jim Carrey is mourning the loss of his older sister Rita, who passed away just a few months after her wedding.
Rita, who was six years older than her famous brother, was surrounded by her loved ones when she passed on Thursday, November 14, as shared in a social media post.
Her husband, Alex, shared the news on Facebook, writing: “Rita and I were together for 16 years, and we finally got married last July in the outdoor wedding she always dreamed of. Rita had such a kind and caring heart, always wanting to help others—even complete strangers.”
He continued: “Everyone knows Christmas was Rita’s favorite time of year. For her, every day felt like Christmas. She even started a fundraiser to support a local charity.”
Alex also announced that a candlelight vigil will be held in her honor on Saturday, December 7.
His went on to leave a tribute for his wife of just four months: “Goodbye my lover. Goodbye my friend. Until we meet again. You really did have the Time of your life. Your bestest friend and husband, Alex,” he said.
The cause of her death is not known at the time of writing, on the morning of Saturday November 16.
Rita, 68, was one of four siblings, including her younger brother Jim Carrey, 62. Their other siblings were John and Patricia. Tragically, John passed away in 2019 at the age of 60 due to a blood disorder known as aplastic anemia.
When Jim rose to global stardom through iconic roles in films like The Mask and Ace Ventura, Rita referred to him as “the world’s greatest actor and comedian.”
Rita faced her own heartbreaking losses in life, including the death of her son Marty in 2005 at the age of 25. He tragically passed away in a car accident, suffering fatal head injuries. After Marty’s sudden death, Rita wrote a memoir titled Growing Up Carrey, where she reflected on her experiences with fame in the family and the grief of losing her child.
Alex, Rita’s husband, received an outpouring of condolences on his social media post. One person shared: “I’m so sorry for your loss. Rita and I worked together at Giant FM. She was an incredible woman, full of warmth and passion.” Another wrote: “I’m heartbroken to hear this. Rita was sweet, talented, and so loved by everyone who knew her. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.”
Former TV host Bob Cowan also shared his tribute on X, saying: “RIP Rita Carrey. My dear friend passed away yesterday after a long illness. Rita was a wonderful mother, a talented singer, radio host, and a proud big sister to Jim Carrey. Her laughter and smile will be missed forever.”
Another commenter added: “Alex, my deepest condolences. I’m heartbroken to hear this. I’ll never forget her joy at your wedding celebration and her amazing performance that night. Rita was a beautiful soul, and I feel blessed to have known her as a friend.”