The film was shot between September 1999 and January 2000. Dr. Seuss ' wife, Audrey, visited the set in October 1999. Much of the Whoville set was constructed on the backlot of Universal Studios behind the Bates Motel. During a break in filming, Jim Carrey scared tourists on the Studio Tour by running out of the motel in a dress and brandishing a knife. Despite this, none of the Universal employees and tourists on the tour recognized him. Jim Carrey 's Grinch suit was covered in yak hair, which was dyed green, and sewed onto a spandex suit. The first application of the makeup took eight hours, after which a frustrated Carrey kicked a hole in the wall of his trailer, wanting to quit the film. The production brought in CIA operative who instructed agents how to endure extreme torture techniques to coach Carrey to remain calm during the process. The process was later refined so that it took only three hours in the morning getting in, and one hour in the evening to get out. In total, Carrey spent 92 days in the Grinch make - up, and became a "Zen Master '' while sitting in the make - up chair.
when was the grinch with jim carrey made
between September 1999 and January 2000