Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

Gag writer Tom Shadyac pitched a rewrite of the script to Robinson and was hired as director for what was his directorial debut.

Filmmakers first approached Rick Moranis to play Ace Ventura, but Moranis declined the role.

Ultimately Robinson noticed Jim Carrey's performance in the sketch comedy show In Living Color and cast him as Ace Ventura.

From the beginning of my involvement, I said that the character had to be rock 'n' roll.

It's so ridiculous it can't be taken seriously—even though it guarantees that somebody's going to be offended." The death metal band Cannibal Corpse performed their song "Hammer Smashed Face" in the film at the request of Jim Carrey, who personally selected the band for the film; the band originally had scheduling conflicts with a European tour, but the crew adjusted their filming schedule to accommodate the band to be able to participate in the film.

The filming took place in Miami, Florida in the second quarter of 1993.