Starring E! movie dude Ben Lyons

Jim Carrey Plays It Straight, Freaks Me Out

Fri., Feb. 23, 2007 1:35 PM PST by Ben Lyons

Ace Ventura. Lloyd Christmas. Andy Kaufman. The defense rests.

Jim's a throwback to '50s Hollywood, blessed with an everyman quality that allows him to reinvent himself every few years, from stand-up to comedies to serious work, the guy is talented and passionate.

I expected him to be all "Robin Williams" in our interview for The Number 23—off-the-wall and all over the place. Far from it. He was focused, present and all-business.

New Line Cinema

Turns out, this is a real passion project for him. His production company is J.C. 23. He predicted a big Super Bowl for Devin Hester (Bears rookie who wears number 23 and ran back the first play of the game for a touchdown). He is obsessed with the number, for real for real.

And shout-out to Virginia Madsen, who has two movies opening on the same day (The Astronaut Farmer as well). Big things, girl. She is no longer "the chick from Sideways," or "homegirl from Candyman," but one of the most in-demand leading ladies in the game. She's also a big fan of Spago and close friends with Wolfgang Puck. Got to love a hottie who's a foodie, too.

Hit that clip and see how it went down.