9. Parental inspiration
Jim Carrey allegedly based his character on his father. We’re not sure if that’s flattering or not?
8. The singing double
Cameron Diaz’s singing voice was dubbed by Susan Boyd – who also landed her vocals to films like The Little Mermaid and Mulan.
7. The dancing scene
Did you see those dancing feet? In the big Coco Bongo dance scene in The Mask, it was actually Jim Carrey dancing . Although Carrey landed his voice for the song and Cameron did not.
6. The Mask silences Carrey critics
After the release of Ace Ventura, Jim Carrey clearly proved himself to be a cashable star, but the critics hated the film. The Mask turned it around and earned Carrey praise for his performance.
5. Twelve times for a big break
Cameron Diaz had to audition 12 times before she got the part – just seven days before shooting.
4. Crushed Dreams
Nintendo Power Magazine promised a fan a part in the sequel. Long before the dreadful Son of the Mask, they were planning to bring back Jim Carrey for a sequel. Nintendo Power ran a contest that promised the winner a non-speaking role in the movie. The movie never happened, and the winner's dreams were crushed forever.
3. Runners up for the Mask
Before Jim Carrey nabbed the role, actors who were considered for the role include: Martin Short, Steve Martin, Matthew Broderick and Rick Moranis.
2. Scary in green.
20-year-old Cameron Diaz said she was horrified on the set when Jim Carrey took off the mask. “The process of taking it off is terrifying. It’s just like, glue and chunks of sponge would stay on his face…”
She recounted the story at age 41 with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. As a prank, Ellen had a man dressed as The Mask sneak up on her, which left Cameron in a fit of giggles.
1. Sally Field reference
The scene at the Coco Bongo, where the Mask makes a fake acceptance speech and says, “You love me, you really love me!” is a reference to Sally Field’ iconic Oscar acceptance speech for Best Actress in 1985 – often misquoted, since the actress used the word “like” not “love”.
