History of Rachel McAdams in Timeline

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

1975: Release of "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac

In 1975, Fleetwood Mac released the song "Landslide", which Rachel McAdams used to prepare for emotional scenes in Wedding Crashers in 2005.

November 17, 1978: Rachel McAdams' Birth

On November 17, 1978, Rachel Anne McAdams was born. She is a Canadian actress.

Others born on this day/year

1992: Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross

In 1992, Alec Baldwin starred in Glengarry Glen Ross, which was used as inspiration for Rachel McAdams's character in Mean Girls.

2001: Graduation from York University

In 2001, Rachel McAdams graduated from York University with a theatre degree.

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: Romantic Relationship with Ryan Gosling

In 2005, Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling became romantically involved after starring together in The Notebook.

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: Listed on Maxim Hot 100

In 2005, Rachel McAdams was listed on the Maxim Hot 100.

2005: Gemini Award

In 2005, Rachel McAdams won a Gemini Award for her work in the comedy series Slings & Arrows.

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.

March 2006: Vanity Fair Photo Shoot Incident

In March 2006, Rachel McAdams declined a nude photo session for Vanity Fair's Hollywood issue and left the set, later parting ways with her publicist.

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: Break from Film Career

From 2006 to 2007, Rachel McAdams took a break from her film career to reconnect with her own voice and avoid the pressures of being a big movie star.

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: Reflection on Vanity Fair Incident

In 2008, Rachel McAdams expressed that she had "no regrets" about declining the nude photo session with Vanity Fair in 2006.

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: Reflection on The Notebook

In 2011, Rachel McAdams reflected on the impact and positive response to The Notebook, expressing gratitude for the film's connection with audiences.

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: The Lucky Ones Commercial Performance

As of 2012, The Lucky Ones is the least commercially successful film of Rachel McAdams's career.

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: Reflection on Career Choices

In 2013, Rachel McAdams reflected on her decision to take a break from her film career, stating she never wanted to be a big movie star.

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.

2013: Listed on Maxim Hot 100

In 2013, Rachel McAdams was listed on the Maxim Hot 100.

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.

2014: Received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame

In late 2014, Rachel McAdams received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.

December 2015: LACMA Live Read of 'The Princess Bride'

In December 2015, Rachel McAdams played Buttercup in a one-off, staged LACMA Live Read of 'The Princess Bride'.

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: Started dating Jamie Linden

In 2016, Rachel McAdams began dating American screenwriter Jamie Linden.

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: Birth of her son

In 2018, Rachel McAdams and Jamie Linden had their first child, a son.

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: Birth of her daughter

In 2020, Rachel McAdams and Jamie Linden welcomed their second child, a daughter.

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.