Hollywood actor-comedian Jim Carrey has taken on the real-life role of human rights advocate by appearing in an online video urging people to support jailed Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Human Rights Action Center and the US Campaign for Burma posted the public service announcement Tuesday on the free video sharing Web site YouTube.
In the video, the 45-year-old actor calls Aung San Suu Kyi an "unsung hero" and "a symbol of hope for all struggling people."
The Nobel laureate has been under some form of detention for most of the past 18 years.
Her political party, the National League for Democracy, won elections in 1990, but Burma's military government has never accepted those results.
The country's ruling military junta has faced international sanctions and criticism for its human rights policies. More than 1,200 activists are imprisoned in the police state.
Security forces have also detained at least 50 activists, and undercover police have maintained a strong presence in Rangoon since protests began this month over the military's sharp increase in fuel prices.
Despite being known originally as a comedian, Carrey has starred in several critically praised dramatic movies, such as "The Truman Show" and "The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." He won Golden Globe Awards as Best Actor for both films.
Information for this story is provided by AP.