Jim Carrey Reveals What He Learned When He Stepped Away From Hollywood

Jim Carrey‘s return to Hollywood has been b-e-a-utiful.

In fact, taking a break from Tinseltown proved to be exactly what the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 actor needed to give him a new perspective on his career. 

“I think whenever you step away from something—even if it’s something you love—you get a new appreciation for it,” Jim exclusively told E! News‘ Francesca Amiker at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on Dec. 16. “A different angle on the whole thing.”

As the 62-year-old explained, he’s never taken himself “too seriously,” so he enjoyed the time away.

Plus, the move gave his fans a chance to actually miss him.

“I also value getting out of people’s faces,” Jim said in the interview, airing on E! News Dec. 17, at 11 p.m. “I mean, some people just want to be in people’s faces all the time, and I don’t, so I like to give them a rest.”