One of Hollywood's biggest stars
Hollywood actress Cameron Diaz is well known for her roles in both comedy and drama, with films grossing over $3 billion at the U.S. box office. She rose to prominence in the 90s and became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. She was named the highest-paid actress over 40 in 2013.
In this slideshow, we take a trip back in time and explore Diaz’s early years and influence in Hollywood.
Diaz was raised in Long Beach
Born on August 30, 1972, in San Diego, California, Diaz was raised in Long Beach and attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where she was classmates with Snoop Dogg.
Frugal but happy
She described her upbringing as frugal but happy, with her family collecting soda cans for extra money.
She signed a modeling contract
At 16, she signed a modeling contract with Elite Model Management and appeared in ads for Calvin Klein and Levi’s, later featuring on the cover of Seventeen magazine at 17.
Diaz auditioned for the role
At 21, Cameron Diaz auditioned for the role of Tina Carlyle in “The Mask,” which became a top-grossing film in 1994.
Starred in the independent comedy
She then starred in the independent comedy “The Last Supper” (1995) and played an ex-stripper in “Feeling Minnesota” (1996).
Withdrew due to a hand injury
Diaz appeared in “She’s the One” (1996) and “Head Above Water” (1996) before withdrawing from “Mortal Kombat” due to a hand injury.
She achieved mainstream success
She achieved mainstream success with “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997) and “There’s Something About Mary” (1998). “There’s Something About Mary” became the highest-grossing comedy of the year and earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
Starred in successful films
Diaz starred in successful films such as “Charlie’s Angels,” “Shrek” and “The Other Woman”
Diaz appeared in Oliver Stone's sports drama
Diaz appeared in Oliver Stone’s sports drama “Any Given Sunday” (1999), which grossed $100 million globally. She also co-starred in the successful film adaptation “Charlie’s Angels” (2000), which grossed $264.1 million.
She received critical acclaim
In 2001, she starred in “Vanilla Sky,” receiving critical acclaim and multiple award nominations for her performance.
Diaz voiced Princess Fiona
Diaz voiced Princess Fiona in the animated film “Shrek” (2001), headlined the romantic comedy “The Sweetest Thing” (2002), and played a pickpocket-grifter in Martin Scorsese’s “Gangs of New York” (2002).
She reprised her roles
She reprised her roles in “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” (2003) and “Shrek 2” (2004). In 2010, she starred in “Knight and Day” alongside Tom Cruise.
Diaz retired from acting
Diaz retired from acting in 2014 to focus on her family, returning to the profession in 2022. After a brief hiatus, Diaz announced her return to acting in 2022 for the Netflix film “Back in Action” alongside Jamie Foxx.
Diaz has authored two health books
Diaz has also authored two health books, “The Body Book” and “The Longevity Book.” In 2015, she married Benji Madden, and they welcomed their first child via surrogate in 2019, followed by a second child in 2024.