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Who Is Cameron Diaz?
Cameron Diaz is a renowned American actress and former model who rose to fame in the 1990s. She began her career as a model at age 16, working with major brands such as Calvin Klein and Coca-Cola before transitioning into acting. Her breakthrough came with her role in The Mask (1994), alongside Jim Carrey, which established her as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents. Over the years, Diaz has showcased her versatility in a range of films, from comedies like There’s Something About Mary and Charlie’s Angels to more dramatic fare like Being John Malkovich and Gangs of New York. She is also well known for voicing Princess Fiona in the Shrek franchise.
Early Life
Cameron Michelle Diaz was born on August 30, 1972, in San Diego, California. She is the daughter of Emilio Diaz, a second-generation Cuban American oil company foreman, and Billie, who is of Native American, Italian, and German descent. At 16, Diaz embarked on a modeling career, which took her across the globe, from Japan to Paris. Her modeling success led to appearances in magazines like Mademoiselle and Seventeen and advertisements for brands such as Levi’s.
Early Film Career
Diaz made her acting debut in The Mask (1994), despite having no prior acting experience. Originally auditioning for a smaller role, she eventually landed the lead female part as Tina Carlyle after numerous callbacks. The film’s success catapulted Diaz into the spotlight, leading to roles in independent films like The Last Supper (1995) and Feeling Minnesota (1996). Her performance in My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), alongside Julia Roberts, solidified her as a major talent in Hollywood.
In 1998, Diaz achieved A-list status with her comedic role in There’s Something About Mary, a summer blockbuster that earned her widespread acclaim. She followed this success with diverse roles, including the critically lauded Being John Malkovich (1999) and the sports drama Any Given Sunday (1999).
Major Film Successes
Throughout the 2000s, Diaz balanced indie films with big-budget blockbusters. She starred in Charlie’s Angels (2000) and its sequel Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003), cementing her as a leading action star. Simultaneously, she voiced Princess Fiona in the hugely successful Shrek franchise, a role she reprised in multiple sequels.
Her career also saw her collaborating with directors like Martin Scorsese in Gangs of New York (2002) and Cameron Crowe in Vanilla Sky (2001). In the mid-2000s, Diaz continued her streak with romantic comedies like The Holiday (2006) and more dramatic roles, such as in My Sister’s Keeper (2009).
Later Career and Personal Life
Diaz’s filmography in the 2010s included action-comedies like Knight and Day (2010) with Tom Cruise and comedies such as Bad Teacher (2011) and The Other Woman (2014). She returned to musical cinema with her portrayal of Miss Hannigan in the 2014 remake of Annie.
Off-screen, Diaz has been in the public eye for her relationships with notable figures such as Matt Dillon, Jared Leto, and Justin Timberlake. In 2015, she married Benji Madden of the band Good Charlotte. The couple welcomed their daughter, Raddix, in 2019.
Though Diaz has stepped back from acting in recent years, her impact on Hollywood remains profound, thanks to her memorable performances and ability to seamlessly navigate between comedy and drama.