Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Cameron Diaz
How Cameron Diaz built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Cameron Diaz is a highly successful American actress known for her roles in both comedic and dramatic films. She became a prominent figure in Hollywood, particularly for her romantic comedy roles in the late 1990s and early 2000s, establishing her as a sex symbol and a bankable star. Her films have grossed over $3 billion in the U.S. box office, and she was named the highest-paid actress over 40 in 2013. She has received nominations for prestigious awards, including a British Academy Film Award and four Golden Globe Awards.
1976: Setting of "The Box"
In 1976, the psychological horror film "The Box" is set. The movie stars Cameron Diaz and James Marsden as a couple who receive a mysterious box offering them one million dollars if they press a button that will cause someone to die.
July 1990: Featured on Seventeen Magazine Cover
In July 1990, at age 17, Cameron Diaz was featured on the cover of Seventeen magazine.
1994: Film Debut in The Mask
In 1994, at the age of 21, Cameron Diaz made her film debut in the comedy "The Mask" alongside Jim Carrey.
1995: Starred in The Last Supper
In 1995, Cameron Diaz starred in the independent black comedy "The Last Supper", playing one of the liberal graduate students.
1996: Lead Role in Feeling Minnesota and Other Films
In 1996, Cameron Diaz had a lead role as an ex-stripper in "Feeling Minnesota" and also starred in "She's the One" and "Head Above Water".
1997: Supporting Role in My Best Friend's Wedding
In 1997, Cameron Diaz had a supporting role in the romantic comedy "My Best Friend's Wedding".
1997: Return to Mainstream with My Best Friend's Wedding
In 1997, Cameron Diaz returned to mainstream cinema with the romantic comedy "My Best Friend's Wedding", playing the wealthy fiancée of a sportswriter.
1998: Starred in There's Something About Mary
In 1998, Cameron Diaz starred as the titular character in the Farrelly brothers' comedy "There's Something About Mary", which significantly increased her fame and earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
1998: Starred in There's Something About Mary and Very Bad Things
In 1998, Cameron Diaz starred in "There's Something About Mary" as the titular character, and also in the comedy "Very Bad Things".
1999: Recognition as a Dramatic Actress
In 1999, Cameron Diaz earned recognition as a dramatic actress for her roles in the sports drama "Any Given Sunday" and the fantasy film "Being John Malkovich".
1999: Starred in Being John Malkovich and Any Given Sunday
In 1999, Cameron Diaz starred in Spike Jonze's "Being John Malkovich", and Oliver Stone's sports drama "Any Given Sunday".
2000: Starred in Charlie's Angels
In 2000, Cameron Diaz starred in "Charlie's Angels," a commercially successful action comedy.
2001: Roles in Vanilla Sky and Shrek
In 2001, Cameron Diaz received praise for her supporting role in "Vanilla Sky" and began voicing Princess Fiona in the "Shrek" franchise.
2001: Starred in The Invisible Circus and Vanilla Sky
In 2001, Cameron Diaz starred in the independent drama "The Invisible Circus" and appeared in "Vanilla Sky".
2001: Voiced Princess Fiona in Shrek
In 2001, Cameron Diaz voiced Princess Fiona in the animated film "Shrek", which became a major commercial success and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
2002: Headlined The Sweetest Thing
In 2002, Cameron Diaz headlined the romantic comedy "The Sweetest Thing", which was a moderate commercial success.
2002: Role in Gangs of New York
In 2002, Cameron Diaz starred in Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York", adding to her diverse filmography.
2003: Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
In 2003, Cameron Diaz reprised her role in the commercially successful sequel, "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle".
2004: Shrek 2
In 2004, Cameron Diaz reprised her role as Princess Fiona in "Shrek 2", which continued the commercial success of the franchise.
2005: Starred in In Her Shoes
In 2005, Cameron Diaz starred in "In Her Shoes", a comedy-drama film based on the novel of the same name, receiving positive reviews for her performance.
2006: Starred in The Holiday
In 2006, Cameron Diaz starred in Nancy Meyers' romantic comedy "The Holiday", which became one of the biggest commercial successes of the year.
June 2008: Earnings and Role in What Happens in Vegas
By June 2008, Cameron Diaz earned an estimated US$50 million for her roles in the Shrek sequel and "What Happens in Vegas".
2008: Starred in What Happens in Vegas
In 2008, Cameron Diaz starred in the romantic comedy "What Happens in Vegas", a box office success despite negative reviews.
June 2009: Release of "My Sister's Keeper"
In June 2009, "My Sister's Keeper", based on Jodi Picoult's novel, was released to mixed reviews. The film, starring Cameron Diaz as a former lawyer and mother of three, grossed US$95 million worldwide.
2010: Starred in Knight and Day
In 2010, Cameron Diaz starred in the action comedy "Knight and Day".
2010: Forbes Ranking and Shrek Forever After Release
In 2010, Forbes ranked Cameron Diaz as the richest female celebrity. Also in 2010, she reprised her role as Princess Fiona in "Shrek Forever After", and starred in "Knight and Day" with Tom Cruise.
April 21, 2011: End of The Green Hornet theatrical run
On April 21, 2011, The Green Hornet, starring Cameron Diaz, ended its theatrical run with a worldwide gross total of US$228 million.
2011: Roles in The Green Hornet and Bad Teacher
In 2011, Cameron Diaz starred in both "The Green Hornet" and "Bad Teacher".
2012: Cast in "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and Gambit
In 2012, Cameron Diaz was cast in "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and Gambit, a remake of the 1966 film of the same name. She also voiced Sigmund Freud in "A Liar's Autobiography".
2013: Release of "The Counselor" and Publication of "The Body Book"
In 2013, Cameron Diaz starred in Ridley Scott's "The Counselor", and in late 2013, she published a health book, "The Body Book: Feed, Move, Understand and Love Your Amazing Body", co-written with Sandra Bark.
2013: Highest-Paid Actress Over 40
In 2013, Cameron Diaz was named the highest-paid actress over 40, solidifying her status as a successful and prominent figure in Hollywood.
2013: Publication of The Body Book
In 2013, Cameron Diaz wrote "The Body Book", which became a New York Times bestseller.
March 2014: "The Body Book" on The New York Times Best Seller list
In March 2014, Cameron Diaz's book, "The Body Book: Feed, Move, Understand and Love Your Amazing Body", reached no. 2 on The New York Times Best Seller list.
2014: Releases of The Other Woman and Sex Tape
In 2014, Cameron Diaz starred in "The Other Woman" and "Sex Tape". The Other Woman received mostly negative reviews from critics, while "Sex Tape" became a moderate commercial success.
2014: Starring in Successful Comedies and Retirement Announcement
In 2014, Cameron Diaz starred in three successful comedies—"The Other Woman," "Sex Tape," and "Annie"—before announcing her retirement from acting.
June 2016: Release of "The Longevity Book"
In June 2016, Cameron Diaz released "The Longevity Book: The Science of Aging, the Biology of Strength, and the Privilege of Time".
2016: Publication of The Longevity Book
In 2016, Cameron Diaz published her second health book, "The Longevity Book".
July 2017: Decision to Take a Break from Acting
In July 2017, Cameron Diaz decided to take a break from acting, citing exhaustion from traveling for filming.
May 2019: Keynote Speaker at EEEEEATSCON
In May 2019, Cameron Diaz was a keynote speaker at The Infatuation's annual food festival, EEEEEATSCON.
2020: Launch of Avaline Wine Brand
In 2020, Cameron Diaz launched an organic wine brand, Avaline, with business partner Katherine Power.
June 2022: Return to Acting in Netflix's "Back in Action"
In June 2022, it was announced that Cameron Diaz would return to acting by starring alongside Jamie Foxx in the Netflix action-comedy "Back in Action".
2022: Guest Judge on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7
In 2022, Cameron Diaz appeared as a guest judge in the season opener episode of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7.
March 2024: Talks to Star in Apple's "Outcome" and Welcomes Second Child
In March 2024, Cameron Diaz was in talks to star in Apple Original Film "Outcome" alongside Keanu Reeves. Filming for the project started later that month.
January 17, 2025: Release of Back in Action on Netflix
Cameron Diaz's movie, "Back in Action", was released on Netflix on January 17, 2025.
2025: Return to Acting in Back in Action
In 2025, Cameron Diaz is set to make a return to acting with the action comedy "Back in Action".
2027: Scheduled Release of "Shrek 5"
In 2027, Cameron Diaz is scheduled to reprise her voice role as Princess Fiona in "Shrek 5".
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