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 who graduated from York University's theatre program in 2001. She began her career in Canadian television and film. Notable early works include the drama "Perfect Pie" (2002), earning her a Genie Award nomination, the comedy "My Name Is Tanino" (2002), and the comedy series "Slings & Arrows" (2003-2005), for which she won a Gemini Award.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2001: Television and Canadian Film Debut

In 2001, Rachel McAdams made her television debut in Shotgun Love Dolls and her Canadian film debut in My Name Is Tanino.

2002: Filming of The Notebook

From late 2002 to early 2003, Rachel McAdams filmed The Notebook.

2002: Hollywood Debut and Slings and Arrows

In 2002, Rachel McAdams made her Hollywood debut in The Hot Chick and also starred in Slings and Arrows, receiving Gemini Award nominations.

2002: Hollywood Debut

In 2002, Rachel McAdams made her Hollywood film debut in the comedy The Hot Chick.

2002: Genie Award Nomination

In 2002, Rachel McAdams received a Genie Award nomination for her role in the drama film Perfect Pie.

2003: Filming of The Notebook

From late 2002 to early 2003, Rachel McAdams filmed The Notebook.

2003: Slings & Arrows

In 2003, Rachel McAdams starred in Slings & Arrows.

2004: Breakthrough Roles

In 2004, Rachel McAdams rose to fame with her roles in Mean Girls and The Notebook.

2004: Starring in Mean Girls

In 2004, Rachel McAdams starred in Mean Girls as Regina George, earning her two MTV Movie Awards. Her performance was highly praised, with critics noting her comic flair and magnetic presence.

2005: Starring in Red Eye and The Family Stone

In 2005, Rachel McAdams starred in Red Eye, a psychological thriller, and The Family Stone, a comedy-drama, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

2005: Starring in Multiple Films

In 2005, Rachel McAdams starred in Wedding Crashers, Red Eye, and The Family Stone, cementing her status as Hollywood's new "it girl".

2005: Starring in Wedding Crashers

In 2005, Rachel McAdams starred in Wedding Crashers, playing a character caught in a love triangle. She prepared for emotional scenes by listening to Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide."

2005: Volunteered in Hurricane Katrina clean-up

In the fall of 2005, Rachel McAdams volunteered in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Louisiana, participating in the clean-up effort following Hurricane Katrina.

February 2006: Vagina Monologues Appearance

In February 2006, Rachel McAdams made a stage appearance in The Vagina Monologues to raise funds for V-Day.

2006: Participated in 'Day Without Immigrants' demonstration

In 2006, Rachel McAdams took part in the 'Day Without Immigrants' demonstration in Los Angeles, protesting against the federal government's attempts to further criminalize immigrants.

2007: Ran GreenIsSexy.org and sat on TreeHugger/Live Earth judging panel

In 2007, Rachel McAdams co-founded and ran the eco-friendly website, GreenIsSexy.org, with friends. Also in 2007, she sat on a TreeHugger/Live Earth judging panel.

2008: Return to Film with Married Life

In 2008, Rachel McAdams returned to her film career, starring in Married Life. She played Kay Nesbitt, a young widow.

2009: Starred in 'Sherlock Holmes'

In 2009, Rachel McAdams starred in 'Sherlock Holmes' as Irene Adler, an antagonist and love interest. The film was a major commercial success, earning over $524 million worldwide.

2009: Starring in Multiple Films

In 2009, Rachel McAdams starred in The Time Traveler's Wife and Sherlock Holmes.

2009: Starred in 'The Time Traveler's Wife'

In 2009, Rachel McAdams starred opposite Eric Bana in 'The Time Traveler's Wife,' a science fiction romantic drama. The film was a commercial success, earning over $101 million worldwide.

2010: Appealed for donations for Haiti and involved in oil spill efforts

In 2010, Rachel McAdams appealed for donations during the Canada for Haiti telethon. She was also involved in Matter of Trust's "hair boom" efforts following the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

2010: Starred in 'Morning Glory'

In 2010, Rachel McAdams starred in 'Morning Glory' as a television producer trying to improve a morning show's ratings. The film was a modest commercial success.

2011: Attended Occupy Toronto demonstration

In 2011, Rachel McAdams attended the Occupy Toronto demonstration.

2011: Starring in Midnight in Paris

In 2011, Rachel McAdams starred in Midnight in Paris.

2011: Favorite Character

In 2011, Rachel McAdams stated that Colee Dunn in The Lucky Ones was one of her favorite characters she has ever played.

2011: Supported Foodstock

In 2011, Rachel McAdams supported Foodstock, a protest against a proposed limestone mega quarry in Melancthon, Ontario.

2012: Starred in 'The Vow'

In 2012, Rachel McAdams starred in 'The Vow' opposite Channing Tatum. The film was a major commercial success and became her biggest box-office hit in a leading role.

2013: Co-starred in 'To the Wonder'

In 2013, Rachel McAdams co-starred in Terrence Malick's 'To the Wonder' as a horse ranch worker and the love interest of Ben Affleck's character.

2013: Filmed promotional videos for Food & Water First Movement

In 2013, Rachel McAdams filmed two promotional videos for the Food & Water First Movement, advocating for the preservation of prime farmland and source water in Ontario, Canada.

2013: Starring in About Time

In 2013, Rachel McAdams starred in About Time.

2013: Starred in 'Passion'

In 2013, Rachel McAdams starred in Brian De Palma's erotic thriller 'Passion' as a business executive engaged in a power struggle.

2013: Volunteered with Habitat for Humanity

In 2013, Rachel McAdams volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in her hometown of St. Thomas.

2014: Narrated documentary 'Take Me To The River'

In 2014, Rachel McAdams narrated the feature documentary 'Take Me To The River', which investigates efforts to save iconic rivers.

2014: Starred in 'A Most Wanted Man'

In 2014, Rachel McAdams starred in 'A Most Wanted Man', an adaptation of John le Carré's espionage thriller.

2015: Starred in 'Spotlight'

In 2015, Rachel McAdams starred in 'Spotlight' as journalist Sacha Pfeiffer. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and McAdams received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

2015: True Detective

In 2015, Rachel McAdams starred in the second season of True Detective, earning a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination.

2015: Academy Award Nomination

In 2015, Rachel McAdams was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Spotlight.

2016: Starred in 'Doctor Strange'

In 2016, Rachel McAdams co-starred in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film 'Doctor Strange'.

2016: Narrated audiobook 'Anne of Green Gables'

In 2016, Rachel McAdams narrated an audiobook version of L. M. Montgomery's novel 'Anne of Green Gables'.

2017: Starring in Disobedience

In 2017, Rachel McAdams starred in Disobedience.

2018: Starred in 'Game Night' and 'Disobedience'

In 2018, Rachel McAdams co-starred in the comedy 'Game Night' with Jason Bateman, receiving praise for her comedic acting. She also starred in the romantic drama 'Disobedience' alongside Rachel Weisz, where her performance was noted for conveying a woman's existential struggle.

2018: Starring in Game Night

In 2018, Rachel McAdams starred in Game Night.

2020: Co-starred in 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga'

In 2020, Rachel McAdams co-starred with Will Ferrell in the Netflix musical comedy film, 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga'.

2021: Advocated to stop logging old growth rainforests

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', which garnered mixed reviews.

2022: Starring in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

In 2022, Rachel McAdams starred in 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, receiving positive reviews for her portrayal of Barbara, Margaret's mother.

2023: Starring in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

In 2023, Rachel McAdams starred in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

January 2024: Guest appearance on Saturday Night Live

In January 2024, Rachel McAdams made a cameo appearance on 'Saturday Night Live', introducing Reneé Rapp and participating in a comedy sketch.

April 23, 2024: Broadway debut in 'Mary Jane'

Rachel McAdams made her Broadway debut on April 23, 2024, starring in Amy Herzog's play 'Mary Jane' at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play.