By Iona Kirby
Published: 15:49 EST, 26 May 2014 | Updated: 17:29 EST, 26 May 2014
Jim Carrey had graduates in stitches while delivering a commencement speech at the Maharishi University Of Management on Saturday.
But the comic actor also showed his serious side as he addressed the departing students in Iowa.
Jim told the audience at the institution, which focuses on consciousness-based learning, that he was inspired by his late father to follow his dreams.
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Inspiring: Jim Carrey, pictured at the Oscars in March, gave a commencement speech at the Maharashi University of Management in Iowa on Saturday
The 52-year-old said in the speech, which was posted to Youtube: 'So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality.
'My father could have been a great comedian, but he didn't believe that that was possible for him, and so he made a conservative choice. Instead, he got a safe job as an account.'
Everything changed however when Jim was 12 and his father Percy, who died in 1994, lost his job. Jim recalls how his family had 'to do whatever we could to survive'.
Powerful words: The actor spoke about why it's so important to follow your dreams, because you could fail even if you take the safe route
See the highlights of the address here.
The Dumb And Dumber star explained: 'I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which was that you could fail at what you don't love, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.'
Jim said that he was 28 when he realised what the purpose of his life and his ministry was - using comedy to 'free people from concern'.
The father-of-one added: 'I've often said that I wish people could realize all their dreams and wealth and fame, so that they could see that it's not where they're gonna find their sense of completion.'
Funnyman: Jim, who got an honorary degree, didn't leave before having the audience in stitches
As well as his inspiring words, Jim didn't want to go home without having made the crowd laugh sufficiently too.
After he was given an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Honoris Caus degree, he said: 'It's a good thing they are giving this to someone who has conquered their ego.'
Jim can next be seen reprising his role as Lloyd Christmas in Dumb And Dumber To, which will hit cinemas in November.
Family man: The 52-year-old, seen here in February, was inspired by his father, who could have been a comedian but decided to become an accountant instead
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