Jayaram started as a mimicry artist at the Kalabhavan institute during the 1980s. He made his acting debut in a leading role in Padmarajan's 1988 film "Aparan". He established himself as a successful leading actor in 1990s by starring in family dramas and comedies—such as, but not limited to "Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal" (1989), "Shubhayathra" (1990), "Sandhesam" (1991), "Georgootty C/O Georgootty" (1991), "Malootty" (1992), "Ayalathe Adheham" (1992), "Meleparambil Aanveedu" (1993), "CID Unnikrishnan B.A., B.Ed." (1994), "Puthukkottayile Puthumanavalan" (1995), "Aniyan Bava Chetan Bava" (1995), "Thooval Kottaram" (1996), "Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu" (1997), "Summer in Bethlehem" (1998), "Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal" (1999), "One Man Show" (2001), and "Manassinakkare" (2003). The 2000 Tamil film "Thenali" won him two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. Jayaram won his first Kerala State Film Award, the Special Jury Award for his performance in "Thooval Kottaram" (1996). He won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for his performance in "Swayamvara Panthal" (2000). Jayaram won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor 3 times, for his performances in "Thooval Kottaram" (1996), "Theerthadanam" (2001), and "Manassinakkare" (2003).