Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz is an American actress, author, and producer who rose to international fame in the 1990s. Known for her comedic timing and girl-next-door charm, she became one of Hollywood's highest-paid and most bankable stars, headlining major box office successes across multiple genres. After an eight-year hiatus from acting, she returned to the screen in the 2022 Netflix action-comedy Back in Action.

Early life and education

Cameron Michelle Diaz was born on August 30, 1972, in San Diego, California, to a Cuban-American father and a mother of German, English, and Native American ancestry. She attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School before beginning a successful modeling career at age sixteen, signing with Elite Model Management. Her modeling work took her internationally, with assignments for major brands like Calvin Klein and Levi's, and appearances in magazines including Seventeen and Rolling Stone. She did not pursue formal acting training prior to her cinematic debut.

Acting career

Diaz's acting career began unexpectedly when she auditioned for and won the female lead in the 1994 comedy The Mask, opposite Jim Carrey. This breakout role led to parts in independent films such as The Last Supper and the romantic comedy She's the One. Her status as a major star was cemented with starring roles in the blockbuster comedy There's Something About Mary, the crime thriller Very Bad Things, and the adaptation of Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York. Throughout the 2000s, she headlined numerous commercial hits, including the Charlie's Angels franchise, Vanilla Sky, The Holiday, and the voice role of Princess Fiona in the immensely successful Shrek animated film series. Later prominent roles include the crime-comedy The Counselor and the musical adaptation Annie. In 2022, she ended her acting hiatus to star alongside Jamie Foxx in the Netflix film Back in Action.

Personal life

Diaz married Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden in a private ceremony in 2015. The couple welcomed a daughter via surrogate in 2019 and a son in 2023. She is a longtime resident of Los Angeles and has been an advocate for environmental causes, serving on the board of the environmental organization Global Green USA. Diaz is also a published author, having co-written several health and wellness books, including The Body Book and The Longevity Book. She maintains a close friendship with former co-stars like Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu.

Filmography

A selection of her notable film work includes: * The Mask (1994) * My Best Friend's Wedding (1997) * There's Something About Mary (1998) * Being John Malkovich (1999) * Charlie's Angels (2000) and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003) * Vanilla Sky (2001) * Gangs of New York (2002) * Shrek (2001) and its sequels (voice) * The Holiday (2006) * What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012) * The Counselor (2013) * Annie (2014) * Back in Action (2022)

Awards and nominations

Throughout her career, Diaz has received recognition from various awarding bodies. She earned Golden Globe nominations for her performances in There's Something About Mary and Being John Malkovich. Her role in Gangs of New York garnered a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. She has also received multiple MTV Movie Awards, including Best Comedic Performance for There's Something About Mary, and a Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Vanilla Sky. The Shrek franchise, featuring her voice work, won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Category:American film actresses Category:Actresses from California Category:1972 births Category:Living people