Conan O’Brien tells Ryan Tubridy hilarious story from when his mom met Jim Carrey

Virgin Radio

5 Jan 2024, 15:15

Conan O’Brien called in to Ryan Tubridy’s Virgin Radio mid-morning show and shared some hilarious anecdotes with listeners.

Speaking over the phone with the new Virgin Radio show host, the American comedian and former late-night talk show host told Ryan about an hilarious run-in his mom had with Jim Carrey at a Christmas party.

“Years and years ago I had a Christmas party at my house,” the former Tonight Show host told Ryan. “This was at the height of Jim Carrey mania, you know, he was coming off of his fourth massive hit film, and it was like The Beatles!”

Jim stopped by at Conan’s party, and as the former Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons writer explained: “Everywhere Jim Carrey went there was a riot.”

But despite this, Jim was successfully managing to enjoy a seemingly rather quiet time at Conan’s party, which was when the talk show host noticed the actor had begun chatting with his mother.

“Out of the corner of my eye, I see my mother having a long chat with Jim Carrey, and I got nervous,” Conan admitted. “When the party was over, I said: ‘Mom, what were you talking to that man about? Jim?'

“And she said: ‘Oh… he told me that he’s a comedian, and I told him: 'Well my son’s had his difficulties but he just keeps at it, and eventually made it. So if you just keep at it Jim, you’re gonna make it too.'’”

Conan paused as Ryan chuckled before adding: “And I said to her: ‘Mom, I want you to go home to Boston and tell everyone you told Jim Carrey to keep at it!’”

“Well, that’s an Irish mother right there, described beautifully,” Ryan told the star in response to his story. Conan was speaking to Ryan from Dublin, where he is currently staying in order to film an episode of his new HBO Max travel show Conan O’Brien Must Go.

The two hit it off talking about the Irish capital, and Conan also shared a story related to a recent genealogical discovery he’d made involving his Irish roots. The pair also enjoyed discussing the pros and cons of hosting late-night talk shows, and bonded over a love for podcasts.

Conan O’Brien’s podcast, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is available to listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to Ryan Tubridy on Virgin Radio Monday to Friday from 10am-1pm, and catch up on-demand here.