The comic actor was filming a scene for Man On The Moon at Los Angeles' Olympic Auditorium when he had to spit in wrestler Jerry Lawler's face.

Carrey's manager, Eric Gold, said Lawler attacked the actor and injured his neck.

Carrey was rushed to hospital for a brain scan, but later discharged. Gold said he had suffered a minor neck injury.

The wrestler was playing himself in the film about the life of American comedian Andy Kaufman, played by Carrey.

Real-life incident

The alleged assault took place while the two were acting out an incident that actually took place.

"He (Carrey) did spit in his face, as Andy had done years ago in Memphis. So Jim, playing Andy, performed as Andy ... and Mr Lawler, knowing that, still behaved in an unprofessional manner," Gold said, adding that Carrey would not work with Lawler again.

One eyewitness, who declined to be named, told reporters the wrestler "turned around real angry, pushed Jim Carrey, and he started kind of swinging," before he grabbed the actor by his hair.

Lawler was unavailable for comment.

Carrey shot to fame in 1994 after taking the lead role in comedy Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, following years of starring in unsuccessful movies.

Highest-paid actor

He is now Hollywood's highest paid actor, most recently acclaimed for his lead role in The Truman Show, about a salesman who suddenly discovers his whole life is a TV show.

Carrey fought off tough competition from Nicolas Cage, John Cusack and Kevin Spacey to play Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon.