There it was, streaming across my Facebook news feed “Jim Carrey Moves to Grand Rapids, Michigan.”
What? Really? Click on the link and according to “KNP 7 News, Your Local News Source,” Carrey is moving because he is “… just tired of the L.A. lifestyle and the fake people, honestly, and I feel like, at this point in my life, I’d rather just live in a place full of real, genuine people. I’ve been to Grand Rapids a few times over the years and the people there are real…”
OK. But my question is whom is KNP 7 a local news source to? The only news outlet I know in the Grand Rapids area with a seven in its name is Fox 17. Checking the “about” section of the KNP 7 site and it states: “KNP 7 News is a fantasy news site. All news articles on knp7.com are satire or pure fantasy.” Hmm. Which coincidentally, Fox 17 News was quick to debunk the rumor.
Still, those West Michiganders who left welcoming messages – or shared the announcement on Facebook – shouldn’t feel too deflated. While Carrey might not be moving here, West Michigan has been home to a number of big name stars. For starters, Good Morning America weather anchor Ginger Zee, who hails from Rockford, for starters. Zee is currently on Dancing With the Stars.
And there must be something about Rockford as Dick York, from the 1960s television show Bewitched, lived there as well.
Other famous faces are Gillian Anderson, of The X Factor fame; Taylor Lautner, of Twlight fame; Conan O’Brien’s sidekick Andy Richter; and Tony Award-winning actress Elizabeth Wilson, just to name a few of the many who entered the entertainment field.
Musically we have Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kevin Max of dc Talk, Brian VanderArk from The Verve Pipe, Dennis “Fergie” Frederiksen from Toto and Al Green.
The list of sports names is long but boxers Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Jr. top it along with olympic medalist Brian Diemer who still hosts the Brian Diemer 5K every June. This year is June 11 in Cutlerville.
And while Carrey may have portrayed many different types of characters, he has never had the role of being president, something that Grand Rapids favorite son, Gerald R. Ford, certainly achieved.
Bottomline is, if Carrey was to move West Michigan, he would be among some great famous company, but if he doesn’t we won’t be a “grinch” about it.
