This minor stand-up comic and TV sketch comedy writer of the late 1980s and early 90s made a high- profile feature debut as a writer-director with "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls" (1995), the eagerly awaited sequel to "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" (1994), the surprise comedy smash that launched Jim Carrey's film career. Oedekerk's Carrey connection proved pivotal to his career. The two met when both were performers at the Comedy Store and later collaborated (as well as shared an office) when Oedekerk joined the writing staff of Fox's "In Living Color"--where Carrey had become the most prominent
