Career Timeline of Rachel McAdams: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Rachel McAdams built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Rachel McAdams is a Canadian actress known for her roles in both comedy and drama films, later expanding into television and theater. A graduate of York University's theater program, she has garnered significant recognition for her performances, receiving nominations for prestigious awards such as an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Tony Award, highlighting her versatility and talent in various acting mediums.
1975: Influence of 'Landslide' on Emotional Scenes
In 1975, Fleetwood Mac released the song "Landslide", which Rachel McAdams used in 2005 to prepare for emotional scenes while filming 'Wedding Crashers'.
1992: Inspiration from Alec Baldwin's Performance
In 1992, Alec Baldwin's performance in the drama 'Glengarry Glen Ross' served as inspiration for Rachel McAdams' character Regina George in 'Mean Girls'.
2001: Television and Film Debut
In 2001, Rachel McAdams made her television debut in the MTV pilot 'Shotgun Love Dolls' and her Canadian film debut in 'My Name Is Tanino', marking significant early steps in her career.
2002: Filming 'The Notebook' Commenced
Filming for 'The Notebook', starring Rachel McAdams, began in late 2002 and continued into early 2003.
2002: Hollywood Debut and 'Slings and Arrows'
In 2002, Rachel McAdams made her Hollywood debut in 'The Hot Chick' and starred in the Canadian comedy mini-series 'Slings and Arrows', marking an important year for her career.
2002: Hollywood Film Debut in 'The Hot Chick'
In 2002, Rachel McAdams made her Hollywood film debut in the comedy 'The Hot Chick', marking a significant step in her career.
2003: Filming 'The Notebook' Concluded
Filming for 'The Notebook', starring Rachel McAdams, concluded in early 2003 after commencing in late 2002.
2004: Breakthrough Roles in 'Mean Girls' and 'The Notebook'
In 2004, Rachel McAdams rose to fame with her roles in the comedy 'Mean Girls' and the romantic drama 'The Notebook', establishing her as a prominent actress.
2004: Starring in 'Mean Girls'
In 2004, Rachel McAdams starred in 'Mean Girls' as Regina George, which was a breakout role for her, earning her two MTV Movie Awards.
2005: Starring in 'Red Eye' and 'The Family Stone'
In 2005, Rachel McAdams starred in the psychological thriller 'Red Eye' and the comedy-drama 'The Family Stone', showcasing her versatility as an actress.
2005: Starring in 'Wedding Crashers'
In 2005, Rachel McAdams starred in the romantic comedy 'Wedding Crashers' alongside Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, and Bradley Cooper, where she played a daughter of an influential politician.
2005: Starring Roles in Several Films
In 2005, Rachel McAdams starred in the romantic comedy 'Wedding Crashers', the psychological thriller 'Red Eye', and the comedy-drama 'The Family Stone', solidifying her status as a leading actress.
2005: Volunteered in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina
In 2005, Rachel McAdams volunteered in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Louisiana, as part of the clean-up effort following Hurricane Katrina.
February 2006: Stage Appearance in 'The Vagina Monologues'
In February 2006, Rachel McAdams made a stage appearance in 'The Vagina Monologues' in Toronto to raise funds for V-Day.
2006: Participated in the 'Day Without Immigrants' demonstration
In 2006, Rachel McAdams participated in the "Day Without Immigrants" demonstration in Los Angeles, protesting the federal government's attempts to further criminalize immigrants living illegally in the United States.
2007: Ran GreenIsSexy.org and sat on TreeHugger/Live Earth judging panel
In 2007, Rachel McAdams ran the eco-friendly lifestyle website, GreenIsSexy.org, with friends and also sat on a TreeHugger/Live Earth judging panel.
2008: Return to Film Career with 'Married Life'
In 2008, Rachel McAdams returned to her film career, starring in the film noir 'Married Life', where she played Kay Nesbitt, and studied old films of Kim Novak to prepare for the role.
2009: Starred in Sherlock Holmes
In 2009, Rachel McAdams starred as Irene Adler in 'Sherlock Holmes' with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. The movie was a major commercial success, earning over $524 million worldwide.
2009: Starring in 'The Time Traveler's Wife' and 'Sherlock Holmes'
In 2009, Rachel McAdams starred in 'The Time Traveler's Wife' and 'Sherlock Holmes', marking her return to prominence after a brief hiatus.
2009: Starred in 'State of Play' and 'The Time Traveler's Wife'
In 2009, Rachel McAdams starred in the political thriller 'State of Play' as Della Frye, an online reporter, alongside Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck, grossing over $87 million worldwide. Also in 2009, she starred in the science fiction romantic drama 'The Time Traveler's Wife' with Eric Bana, which earned over $101 million worldwide.
2010: Starring in 'Morning Glory'
In 2010, Rachel McAdams starred in 'Morning Glory', further establishing her career after her return from a hiatus.
2011: Attended the Occupy Toronto demonstration
In 2011, Rachel McAdams attended the Occupy Toronto demonstration.
2011: Favorite character Colee Dunn
In 2011, Rachel McAdams said that Colee Dunn in the movie 'The Lucky Ones' was "probably one of my favorite characters I've ever played".
2011: Starring in 'Midnight in Paris'
In 2011, Rachel McAdams starred in 'Midnight in Paris', adding another notable film to her career.
2011: Supported Foodstock and involved in Matter of Trust's 'hair boom' efforts
In 2011, Rachel McAdams supported Foodstock, a protest against a proposed limestone mega quarry in Melancthon, Ontario. She was also involved in Matter of Trust's "hair boom" efforts following the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
2012: Commercial Success of 'The Lucky Ones'
As of 2012, 'The Lucky Ones', starring Rachel McAdams, is the least commercially successful film of her career, having grossed just $266,967 worldwide.
2012: Starring in 'The Vow'
In 2012, Rachel McAdams starred in 'The Vow', continuing her successful film career.
2013: Co-starred in 'To the Wonder' and 'Passion'
In 2013, Rachel McAdams co-starred in Terrence Malick's 'To the Wonder' with Ben Affleck and in Brian De Palma's erotic thriller 'Passion' with Noomi Rapace.
2013: Filmed promotional videos for the Food & Water First Movement
In 2013, Rachel McAdams filmed two promotional videos for the Food & Water First Movement, aimed at preserving farmland and source water in Ontario, Canada.
2013: Starring in 'About Time'
In 2013, Rachel McAdams starred in 'About Time', further cementing her status as a prominent actress.
2013: Volunteered with Habitat for Humanity
In 2013, Rachel McAdams volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in her hometown of St. Thomas. She has also worked with charities including the Sunshine Foundation of Canada, the Alzheimer's Association, the READ Campaign, and United Way of Canada.
2014: Narrated Take Me To The River documentary
In 2014, Rachel McAdams narrated the feature documentary 'Take Me To The River', which investigates what is being done to try to save iconic rivers.
2014: Starred in A Most Wanted Man and Received a Star on Canada's Walk of Fame
In 2014, Rachel McAdams starred in an adaptation of John le Carré's espionage thriller 'A Most Wanted Man' opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman. Later in 2014, McAdams received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.
December 2015: Starred in 'Southpaw', 'Every Thing Will Be Fine' and True Detective season 2, plus LACMA Live Read of 'The Princess Bride'
In December 2015, Rachel McAdams starred in the boxing drama 'Southpaw' and Wim Wenders' drama 'Every Thing Will Be Fine', and the second season of HBO's 'True Detective'. Also in December 2015, McAdams played Buttercup in a staged LACMA Live Read of 'The Princess Bride'.
2015: Starred in Spotlight
In 2015, Rachel McAdams starred as journalist Sacha Pfeiffer in Tom McCarthy's 'Spotlight'. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and McAdams received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress and Screen Actors Guild Award.
2015: Starring in 'True Detective'
In 2015, Rachel McAdams starred in the second season of the HBO anthology crime drama series 'True Detective', earning a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination.
2015: Nomination for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for 'Spotlight'
In 2015, Rachel McAdams was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Sacha Pfeiffer in the drama 'Spotlight', recognizing her performance.
2016: Role in 'Doctor Strange'
In 2016, Rachel McAdams appeared in 'Doctor Strange', which is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, marking a new role in her career.
2016: Roles in 'The Little Prince', 'Doctor Strange' and audiobook narration of Anne of Green Gables
In 2016, Rachel McAdams voiced The Mother of The Little Girl in an animated version of 'The Little Prince', co-starred in the Marvel film 'Doctor Strange' as Christine Palmer, and narrated the audiobook version of L. M. Montgomery's novel 'Anne of Green Gables'.
2017: Starring in 'Disobedience'
In 2017, Rachel McAdams starred in the romantic drama 'Disobedience', adding a new role to her filmography.
2018: Starred in Game Night and Disobedience
In 2018, Rachel McAdams co-starred in the comedy 'Game Night' and the romantic drama 'Disobedience'. She also performed some of her own stunt driving in a getaway scene in Game Night.
2018: Starring in 'Game Night'
In 2018, Rachel McAdams starred in the comedy 'Game Night', expanding her range of film roles.
2020: Co-starred in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
In 2020, Rachel McAdams co-starred in the Netflix musical comedy film 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga' with Will Ferrell.
2021: Participated in Stand.earth video
In 2021, Rachel McAdams participated in a video produced by Stand.earth calling on the government of British Columbia, Canada, to stop logging the last old-growth rainforests across the province.
May 2022: Reprised role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
In May 2022, Rachel McAdams reprised her role as Christine Palmer in the superhero sequel 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'.
2022: Role in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'
In 2022, Rachel McAdams reprised her role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'.
April 2023: Starred in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
In April 2023, Rachel McAdams starred in 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.', a film adaptation of Judy Blume's novel of the same name, receiving positive reviews for her portrayal of Barbara, the mother of Margaret.
2023: Starring in 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.'
In 2023, Rachel McAdams starred in the comedy-drama 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.'.
January 2024: Saturday Night Live Cameo
In January 2024, Rachel McAdams made a cameo appearance on 'Saturday Night Live', introducing Reneé Rapp as a musical guest and appearing in a comedy sketch as a look-a-like of herself.
April 23, 2024: Broadway Debut in Mary Jane
On April 23, 2024, Rachel McAdams officially made her Broadway debut, starring in Amy Herzog's play 'Mary Jane' at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. She earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play for her performance.
2024: Broadway Debut in 'Mary Jane'
In 2024, Rachel McAdams made her Broadway debut in the play 'Mary Jane', receiving a Tony Award nomination.
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