Grinch impersonator: ‘I eat raw onion for the character – I want Jim Carrey’s job’
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Ryan Swain has been visiting hospitals and care homes in the run-up to Christmas – and now wants to replace Jim Carrey. A dedicated Grinch impersonator from Yorkshire who spends an hour getting into character and eats onions and sugar glass dreams of replacing his hero Jim Carrey in a new blockbuster film.
![[Ryan is an entertainer (Andrew Ball Fp Photography/PA Real Life)]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/16/06/13154906-6327dc35-b5a9-4df5-8912-23eb5455a596.jpeg)
Ryan Swain, 34, an entertainer and DJ, from Malton, North Yorkshire, was first captivated by the green, Christmas-hating Grinch in his childhood after reading the Dr Seuss book and growing affectionate for the “phenomenal character”. The 2000 hit comedy film How The Grinch Stole Christmas also became a love of Ryan’s, who has been a life-long fan of actor Carrey and found similarities between their mannerisms and “zany” nature in his personal life.
![[Ryan and Sam are expecting a ‘little baby Who’ in April (Collect/PA Real Life)]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/16/06/13155736-fd159f09-be19-45f1-9abd-0db3ee9f4780.jpeg)
He said it would be a “dream come true” to step into the role if a sequel to the blockbuster went into production and Carrey was unavailable. Last Christmas, Ryan donned the Grinch outfit for the first time during a winter wonderland event in York, finding he could slip into the character “very quickly”, and this year he has been voluntarily visiting hospitals, care homes and community centres in his furry, viridescent garb – which takes an hour to pull together.
![[Ryan said it is a ‘gift’ to bring smiles and laughter to others with his character (Collect/PA Real Life)]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/16/06/13153319-83840439-2f6b-4cfd-b7e3-c49d31378d4b.jpeg)
Unlike the character he plays, Ryan loves Christmas and has adorned his home with Grinch-themed decorations much to the delight of his fiancee, Sam Cook, 40, who is expecting a “little baby Who” in April, and their three young children from previous relationships.
![[The Grinch outside York Hospital (Collect/PA Real Life)]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/16/06/13161218-6e3900c6-e2be-4a5a-bde5-f48d858353ae.jpg)
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