How Cameron Diaz built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Cameron Diaz is a celebrated American actress renowned for her versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles. Her films have earned over $3 billion domestically. Her popularity grew rapidly in the late 1990s and early 2000s, due to many successful romantic comedies, making her a sex symbol and one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. In 2013, she was recognized as the highest-paid actress over 40. Diaz has been nominated for awards such as a British Academy Film Award and four Golden Globe Awards.
1976: Setting of The Box
The film The Box, starring Cameron Diaz, is set in 1976.
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July 1990: Featured on Seventeen Magazine Cover
In July 1990, Cameron Diaz was featured on the cover of Seventeen magazine at the age of 17, marking an early milestone in her modeling career.
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1994: Film Debut in The Mask
In 1994, Cameron Diaz made her film debut at age 21, starring opposite Jim Carrey in the comedy "The Mask."
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1994: Starring in The Mask
In 1994, at the age of 21, Cameron Diaz starred in "The Mask" as Tina Carlyle, which launched her career and established her as a sex symbol.
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1995: Starring in The Last Supper
In 1995, Cameron Diaz starred in the independent black comedy "The Last Supper," playing one of several liberal graduate students who invite a group of extremist conservatives to a dinner in an attempt to murder them.
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1996: Starring in Feeling Minnesota, She's the One, and Head Above Water
In 1996, Cameron Diaz played a lead role in "Feeling Minnesota" and was cast opposite Jennifer Aniston in the comedy "She's the One", followed by a starring role in Head Above Water.
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1997: Role in My Best Friend's Wedding
In 1997, Cameron Diaz appeared in the romantic comedy "My Best Friend's Wedding", starring opposite Julia Roberts.
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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", contributing to her rising profile in Hollywood.
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1998: Starring Role in There's Something About Mary
In 1998, Cameron Diaz starred as the titular character in the comedy "There's Something About Mary", which brought her increased fame and her first Golden Globe nomination.
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1998: Starring in There's Something About Mary
In 1998, Cameron Diaz starred in "There's Something About Mary," gaining widespread recognition and a Golden Globe nomination.
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1999: Starring in Being John Malkovich and Any Given Sunday
In 1999, Cameron Diaz starred in "Being John Malkovich" and "Any Given Sunday," earning her nominations for Best Supporting Actress.
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1999: Recognition as a Dramatic Actress
In 1999, Diaz gained recognition as a dramatic actress for her roles in the sports drama "Any Given Sunday" and the fantasy film "Being John Malkovich."
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2000: Commercial Success with Charlie's Angels
In 2000, Cameron Diaz achieved commercial success with the action comedy "Charlie's Angels."
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2000: Starring in Charlie's Angels
In 2000, Cameron Diaz starred in the film adaptation "Charlie's Angels," which became one of the highest-grossing films of the year.
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2001: Critical Acclaim for Vanilla Sky
In 2001, Cameron Diaz received praise for her supporting role in Cameron Crowe's "Vanilla Sky" and also voiced Princess Fiona in "Shrek."
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2001: Starring in The Invisible Circus and Vanilla Sky
In 2001, Cameron Diaz starred in "The Invisible Circus" and "Vanilla Sky", earning nominations for her performance in the latter.
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2001: Voicing Princess Fiona in Shrek
In 2001, Cameron Diaz voiced Princess Fiona in the animated film "Shrek", which was a major commercial success.
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2002: Starring in The Sweetest Thing
In 2002, Cameron Diaz headlined the romantic comedy "The Sweetest Thing", which was a moderate commercial success.
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2002: Supporting Role in Gangs of New York
In 2002, Diaz played a supporting role in Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York", receiving praise for her performance.
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2003: Starring in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
In 2003, Cameron Diaz reprised her role in the commercially successful sequel "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle."
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2003: Sequel to Charlie's Angels
In 2003, Cameron Diaz reprised her role in the sequel, "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle."
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2004: Starring in Shrek 2
In 2004, Cameron Diaz reprised her role in the commercially successful sequel Shrek 2.
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2005: Starring in In Her Shoes
In 2005, Cameron Diaz starred in "In Her Shoes," receiving acclaim for her performance.
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2005: Starring in In Her Shoes
In 2005, Cameron Diaz starred in the comedy-drama "In Her Shoes", receiving praise for her performance.
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2006: Starring in The Holiday
In 2006, Cameron Diaz starred in the romantic comedy "The Holiday", alongside Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black.
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2006: Starring in The Holiday
In 2006, Cameron Diaz starred in the romantic comedy "The Holiday," which became a commercial success.
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2007: Starring in Shrek the Third and Christmas Special
In 2007, Cameron Diaz starred in "Shrek the Third" and voiced Princess Fiona in a Christmas special.
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June 2008: High Earnings for Shrek Sequel and What Happens in Vegas
Cameron Diaz earned an estimated US$50 million during the period of a year ending in June 2008, for her roles in the Shrek sequel and What Happens in Vegas.
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2008: Starring in What Happens in Vegas
In 2008, Cameron Diaz starred in the comedy "What Happens in Vegas" with Ashton Kutcher.
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June 2009: Release of My Sister's Keeper
In June 2009, My Sister's Keeper, starring Cameron Diaz, was released to mixed reviews but moderate commercial success.
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2010: Starring in Knight and Day
In 2010, Cameron Diaz starred in the action comedy "Knight and Day" with Tom Cruise.
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2010: Forbes ranked Diaz as richest female celebrity
In 2010, Forbes ranked Cameron Diaz as the richest female celebrity, placing her at number 60 among the wealthiest 100. That same year, Diaz reprised her role as Princess Fiona in "Shrek Forever After", reunited with Tom Cruise in "Knight and Day", and voiced Fiona in a Halloween special.
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April 21, 2011: The Green Hornet ended theatrical run
On April 21, 2011, "The Green Hornet", starring Cameron Diaz, ended its theatrical run with a worldwide gross of US$228 million.
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2011: Starring in The Green Hornet and Bad Teacher
In 2011, Cameron Diaz starred in "The Green Hornet" and "Bad Teacher," adding to her diverse filmography.
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2012: Diaz acted in What to Expect When You're Expecting and Gambit
In 2012, Cameron Diaz starred in "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and "Gambit". She also voiced Sigmund Freud in "A Liar's Autobiography".
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2013: Release of The Body Book
In 2013, Cameron Diaz released her first health book, "The Body Book," which became a New York Times bestseller.
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2013: Diaz starred in The Counselor and published The Body Book
In 2013, Cameron Diaz starred in Ridley Scott's "The Counselor". Also in late 2013, Diaz published a health book, "The Body Book: Feed, Move, Understand and Love Your Amazing Body".
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2013: Highest-Paid Actress Over 40
In 2013, Cameron Diaz was named the highest-paid actress over 40, marking a significant milestone in her successful acting career.
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March 2014: The Body Book was number 2 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" hit number 2 on The New York Times Best Seller list.
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2014: Diaz starred in The Other Woman and Sex Tape
In 2014, Cameron Diaz starred in "The Other Woman" and "Sex Tape", with the latter requiring her to perform multiple scenes of nudity.
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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 retiring from acting to focus on her family.
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June 2016: Diaz released 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".
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2016: Release of The Longevity Book
In 2016, Cameron Diaz released her second health book, "The Longevity Book," further exploring health and wellness topics.
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July 2017: Diaz took a break from acting
In July 2017, Cameron Diaz decided to take a break from acting, citing weariness from traveling for filming.
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2020: Diaz launched Avaline organic wine brand
In 2020, Cameron Diaz launched Avaline, an organic wine brand, with business partner Katherine Power.
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June 2022: Diaz to star in Back in Action
In June 2022, it was announced that Cameron Diaz would return to acting by starring alongside Foxx in the Netflix action-comedy "Back in Action".
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March 2024: Diaz in talks to star in Outcome
In March 2024, it was announced that Cameron Diaz was in talks to star in the Apple Original Film "Outcome" alongside Keanu Reeves.
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January 17, 2025: Back in Action released on Netflix
On January 17, 2025, "Back in Action" was released on Netflix.
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2025: Return to Acting with Back in Action
In 2025, Cameron Diaz is set to return to acting with the action comedy "Back in Action", marking her comeback to the profession.
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2026: Diaz to reprise her voice role as Princess Fiona in Shrek 5
In 2026, Cameron Diaz is scheduled to reprise her voice role as Princess Fiona in "Shrek 5".
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