Who Is Melissa Womer? The Untold Story of Jim Carrey’s First Wife

Melissa Womer is known by many people as Jim Carrey’s first wife, but there’s a lot more to her than that.

She is an actress, a comedy writer, and a TV producer. She helped build her own path in Hollywood before and after her marriage. Even though she doesn’t like being in the spotlight, her story is full of strong moments.

In this article, we’ll explore everything about her — where she came from, what she did in her career, her life with Jim Carrey, their daughter Jane, and where she is now.

Melissa Jaine Womer Profile Summary

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Melissa Jaine Womer
Date of Birth	July 8, 1960
Age (as of 2026)	66 years old
Birthplace	New York, United States
Nationality	American
Zodiac Sign	Cancer
Ethnicity	White American
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.7 m)
Weight	130 lbs (59 kg)
Hair Color	Blonde
Eye Color	Brown
Marital Status	Divorced (Jim Carrey, 1987–1995)
Children	Jane Erin Carrey
Net Worth (est.)	$7 million

Melissa Womer’s Early Life

Melissa Womer was born on July 8, 1960, in New York, United States. She grew up in a difficult home. Her family life was not easy. There were problems like substance abuse and mental illness in the family. She also witnessed domestic violence when she was young.

But even with all these challenges, Melissa stayed strong. She didn’t give up. She grew up to be someone who believed in hard work and staying focused on her goals.

She learned how to take care of herself from a young age. That strength helped her later when she faced struggles in her adult life.

Melissa’s School and Education

Melissa went to local schools in New York City. After finishing high school, she went on to college. She studied at the University of Kansas.

While she was in college, she worked many small jobs to earn money. One fun job she had was writing funny jokes for a morning radio show on Q104, a local station in Kansas City.

This job showed she had a natural talent for comedy. Even before Hollywood, she was already making people laugh.

She also learned how to write and perform — skills that would help her later in life.

How Melissa Got Into Comedy and Acting

After college, Melissa moved to Hollywood, California to chase her dreams. She wanted to work in the entertainment world.

At first, she didn’t act right away. She got a job as a cocktail waitress at a comedy club on Sunset Boulevard. This club was called the Comedy Store, a famous place where new comedians perform.

While working there, Melissa got a chance to perform on open mic night. That means anyone could go on stage and try to be funny.

She took the chance — and people loved her!

Melissa became known at the club for her natural sense of humor. Step by step, she grew more confident.

Melissa Womer’s Acting and Producing Work

Once Melissa got noticed, she started trying out for roles in TV and movies.

Her first acting role was in the TV show Petrocelli in 1974. Later, she acted in the movie Man on the Moon, where she played a waitress — the same kind of job she once did in real life.

But she didn’t stop there. Melissa also worked behind the scenes. She became a TV producer.

She helped produce shows like:

The Yesterday Show with John Kerwin
Real Stories of Donut Men

This showed she had more than one talent. She could act, write, and produce — all while staying out of the public eye.

Meeting and Marrying Jim Carrey

Melissa met Jim Carrey at the Comedy Store, the same place where she worked and performed.

Jim was also trying to become a comedian at that time. He wasn’t famous yet. He was doing comedy shows and also working as a masseuse at a health club to make money.

They started talking, laughing, and slowly fell in love.

In 1986, they began dating. And in March 1987, they got married at a small hotel in Santa Monica, California.

They didn’t have a rich lifestyle at that time. In fact, Jim was earning just $25 a night doing comedy. Melissa was working two jobs and was even pregnant when she worked through most of it.

Even with little money, they were happy. On their wedding night, they sat together over a plate of untouched mahi-mahi and cried happy tears.

Becoming a Mom: Jane Erin Carrey

A few months after their wedding, Melissa Womer became a mother. Her daughter, Jane Erin Carrey, was born on September 6, 1987. This changed Melissa’s life in a big way. She focused more on family and caring for her child.

Melissa Womer worked hard to give Jane a normal life. Even though Jim Carrey was becoming famous, Melissa tried to keep their daughter away from too much attention. She wanted Jane to grow up feeling safe, loved, and grounded like any other child.

As Jane grew older, she showed interest in music and acting. She later appeared on American Idol and became a singer. Melissa always stayed close to her daughter and supported her dreams quietly and fully.

Problems in the Marriage

As Jim Carrey’s career grew, life at home started to change. Fame brought long work hours and stress. Melissa Womer noticed that Jim was not as present at home as before. Small daily things slowly became big problems.

Melissa wanted balance in the marriage. She asked Jim to stay grounded and share normal home duties. She believed marriage needed care, teamwork, and understanding. Over time, the distance between them grew wider.

Melissa later said she was happy being a wife and mother. But she felt the marriage was no longer working the way it once did. Success changed Jim’s life, and sadly, it also changed their relationship.

Divorce from Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey filed for divorce in 1993, and the divorce was finalized in 1995. The split was not easy. There were disagreements about when they separated and how money should be shared.

At that time, Jim signed a $7 million movie deal, which made the divorce more complicated. Melissa believed they were still together then. Jim’s team claimed they had already separated earlier.

During the process, Melissa received temporary support. She later requested a fair settlement for herself and her daughter. In the end, they reached a private agreement, and the final details were kept secret.

Life After the Divorce

After the divorce, Melissa Womer chose a quiet life. She stayed away from interviews and public events. Unlike many people connected to Hollywood, she did not chase attention or fame.

Her main focus was raising Jane and creating a peaceful life. She stayed in Los Angeles, close to her daughter, and lived privately. People rarely saw her in the media after the split.

This choice showed her true nature. Melissa preferred calm over noise. She valued family, privacy, and personal peace more than being in the spotlight.

Melissa Womer’s Net Worth

Melissa Womer’s estimated net worth is around $7 million. This amount comes from her work in acting, producing, and her divorce settlement.

She did not build her life on fame. Instead, she made smart choices and lived within her comfort. Her money helped her live a stable and quiet life.

Even today, Melissa is believed to be living comfortably. She does not show her lifestyle online, which fits her private personality.

Her Life Today

Today, Melissa Womer is still living in the United States. She stays away from public attention and lives a calm life with her family.

She is also a grandmother now. Her grandson is named Jackson Riley Santana. Melissa enjoys spending time with her family and staying out of the spotlight.

There is mention of a possible social media account, but it is not confirmed. Overall, Melissa prefers real life over online life.

Lesser-Known Facts About Melissa Womer

Melissa Womer is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds. She has blonde hair and brown eyes. Her zodiac sign is Cancer.

Some people still call her “Melissa Carrey,” even though the marriage ended long ago. This shows how strongly people remember her connection to Jim Carrey.

She is known to be shy, calm, and private. These traits have guided her life choices for many years.

Final Thoughts

Melissa Womer’s life is more than a celebrity marriage story. She is a strong woman who faced hardship, supported a rising star, raised a child, and chose peace over fame.

She showed that success does not always mean being seen. Sometimes, success means living quietly and happily.

Even in 2026, Melissa Womer’s story matters. It reminds us that strength, dignity, and family values still matter in a world full of noise.