Pat McAfee interviewed Dan Marino on his show to discuss the upcoming Super Bowl. However, the conversation took an unexpected turn towards a subject that holds great personal significance to me. I am referring to the iconic 1994 film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, featuring the talented Jim Carrey.
Let me clarify right from the start that Ace Ventura is not just any ordinary movie; it is a true masterpiece of cinematic artistry. I must warn readers that this “article” will be quite self-indulgent. I want to be upfront about this so that those who do not share my enthusiasm can opt out now. However, for those interested in learning more about McAfee’s discussion with Marino, let’s delve into it.
During the interview, McAfee inquired about a rumor surrounding Marino’s involvement in Ace Ventura. Apparently, Marino had the choice of receiving an upfront payment for his role in the film or opting for a percentage of the movie’s total revenue. Marino candidly admitted that he chose the upfront payment, ultimately missing out on millions of dollars. In a lighthearted manner, he jokingly mentioned that without him, Jim Carrey might not have gained the same level of recognition.
I came across a clip of this interview on social media, and it instantly struck a chord within me. Finally, I thought, the time has come for me to write about a movie that played a significant role in shaping my life, even though it is now three decades old. I owe this opportunity to Dan Marino, and for that, I am truly grateful.
You might be wondering why I was eagerly seeking a chance to write about Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Well, let me explain. Ace Ventura holds the top spot as my all-time favorite movie. My father passed down his love for various sports teams to me, including the New York Rangers, Cincinnati Reds, North Carolina Tar Heels (basketball), Penn State Nittany Lions (football), and the Milwaukee Bucks. However, there was one team he desperately wanted me to support but failed to win me over. You see, my father is a devoted Cincinnati Bengals fan.
On the other hand, my Uncle Todd has been a lifelong Miami Dolphins fan. The two of them competed fiercely to win the allegiance of a five-year-old me. Unfortunately for my father, my Uncle had an unfair advantage: Dan Marino. Not only did Marino share my first name, but he also shared my birthday (shout out to my fellow September 15th celebrants). Convincing a young child to support the Bengals when the Dolphins’ quarterback had the same name, birthday, and starred in an incredible film proved to be an impossible task for my poor father.
Ace Ventura became an integral part of my life. Most children my age would watch movies repeatedly, but they tended to gravitate towards Disney films or shows like Sesame Street. However, I was not like most kids. Instead, I watched Ace Ventura no less than a hundred times between the ages of five and fifteen. It became a remarkable bonding experience for me and my cousin, Emily. Since I did not have any siblings at the time, she was the closest thing I had to a sister. We reached a point where we would assign ourselves different roles from the movie and recite the entire script word-for-word.
I can only imagine how much our adult relatives enjoyed that. Speaking of things that probably amused the adults in our lives, I distinctly remember asking my uncle, Rob, the meaning of the term “gonorrhea.” It was probably not the question he expected to hear from a ten-year-old, but a memorable scene from Ace Ventura necessitated this discussion.
I still recall his exact response: “It’s a disease that affects your private parts.” To which I simply replied, “Eww.” I stand by that reaction to this day.
If you have made it this far, I genuinely appreciate your readership. Ace Ventura truly had a positive impact on my life, and I refuse to let any attempts by “trans activists” to retroactively diminish its significance. Yes, there are individuals trying to cancel a movie that is three decades old. Can you guess the reason? It is likely because of one of my all-time favorite scenes from the film.
As a token of my gratitude to those who have indulged me in this extensive personal narrative, I would like to offer something in return. If you wish to reach out to me, please feel free to email me at dan.zaksheske@. It is the least I can do.