30 years ago, an unlikely hero hit the big screen—a goofy guy on a mission to protect our pets. The eccentric detective specialized in animal cases. Ace Ventura Pet: Detective opened in theaters on Feb. 4, 1994. Ventura was on a mission to find the missing Miami Dolphins mascot, Snowflake, and to ensure our pets never go missing again.
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective was Jim Carrey’s first major film role. The movie proved to be a hit comedy and launched Carrey’s film career. It pivoted Carrey from a TV funny man to a movie star. The role was popular enough that the studio coaxed Carrey into making his first sequel in 1995, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls.
But Ace Ventura was more than a flash in the pan. These movies and Jim Carrey’s comedy have endured. Ace Ventura is a cult classic.
Classic movie lines are a shared experience
Like most cult classics and great movies, memorable lines are identifiable to just about everyone. Interestingly, we can connect lines to movies even when the quote was never said. Ilsa Lund, played by Ingrid Bergman, never said, “Play it again, Sam” in Casablanca. As Captain Kirk in Star Trek TOS, William Shatner never said, “Beam me up, Scotty.”
It’s not the accuracy of the quote that brings movie lovers together. Identifying with each other and the shared experience creates a connection.
The most popular Ace Ventura quotes
So many of the lines from Ace Ventura are hilarious. Carrey proved to be the ideal actor to deliver so many well-written quips and endlessly quotable dialogue. Below are 11 of my favorites.
1. “Alrighty Then”
How did such a simple and already-used phrase become synonymously connected with Ace Ventura? The delivery, of course, which only Carrey could pull off. (Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)
2. “Re-he-he-eally?”
This is one of Ace’s famous catchphrases that Carrey makes work so well. An extended version of the word ‘really’ is one of the most repeated Ace Ventura quotes. (Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls)
3. “Of Course Not. This Is A Lovely Room Of Death.”
This sarcastic line is used to demonstrate the insanity of trophy hunting. When Ace is in Vincent Cadby’s study decorated with animal heads, Ace uses this line to describe the reality of the scene. (Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls)
4. “Ace Ventura, Pet Detective, And You Must Be The Monopoly Guy.”
This not-so-subtle insult is directed to the rich and entitled. Ace is uncomfortable at a fancy party but unintimidated by being substantially underdressed. He turns the tables by mocking how one man who looks like the Monopoly board game character, including his clothes. (Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls)
5. “Pleasure To Meet You, Mr. Camp, And Congratulations On All Your Success. You Smell Terrific.”
This is another great quote that illustrates Ace’s comedic ability to inject a bit of mockery when interacting with the wealthy and privileged. Ace introduces himself to wealthy Ronald Camp at a party with this line, which immediately makes Camp feel insecure. (Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)
6. “That’s None Of Your Damn Business And I’ll Thank You To Stay Out Of My Personal Affairs.”
Comedy is all about timing and surprise. Asking a personal question could result in this response, but when a friend asks for gum?
In Pet Detective, football star Dan Marino plays himself. In his final scene with Carrey, Marino innocently asks Ace for a stick of gum.
Dan Marino: Hey Ace?
Ace Ventura: Yeah, Dan?
Dan Marino: You got any more of that gum?
Ace Ventura: That’s none of your damn business, and I’ll thank you to stay out of my personal affairs.
(Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)
7. “Yes, Satan? Oh, I’m Sorry, Sir. You Sounded Like Someone Else.”
If Carrey does one thing best, it’s delivering insults with humor. What better way to make an insult? When Mr. Shickadance comes to Ace from behind and says, “Ventura,” Ace answers with “Yes, Satan?” without turning around. A simple insulting response that puts Ace in the superior position. (Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)
8. “If I’m Not Back In Five Minutes, Just Wait Longer”
There’s nothing special about this junior high humor quip, except that Jim Carrey’s deadpan delivery makes it hilarious. The situation is far from life-threatening; Ace is descending a ladder into a drained water tank. (Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)
9. “Lovely Party. Pity I Wasn’t Invited.”
While Ace is a master impressionist, impersonating characters from Captain Kirk to Tangina Barrons in Poltergeist, he’s spot-on with Sean Connery’s James Bond. (Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)
10. “Do Not Go In There!”
A bit of bathroom humor that works due to Carrey’s delivery. This line comes out when Ace emerges from the bathroom he entered to surreptitiously investigate a hidden aquarium. While there, he is attacked by a shark. Coming out of a bathroom in shambles, Ace warns everyone to stay out of the washroom. (Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)
11. “Yeah? And You’re Ugly.”
After one of Ace’s theories turns out to be completely wrong, Melissa, Ace’s love interest, implies he doesn’t know where to direct his anger. Upset and frustrated, Ace pulls this line from his razor-sharp junior high humor. (Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)
There are many more wonderful and funny quotes from Ace Ventura. Every time I watch both movies, I recall more. Give yourself a laugh and binge these two movies. You never know when you need to pull out an Ace Ventura quote to poke fun at the rich and entitled.
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