Cameron Michelle Diaz is an American actress. Known for her work in both comedy and drama, her films have grossed over $3 billion in the U.S. box-office. Diaz established herself as a sex symbol and one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, and in 2013 she was named the highest-paid actress over 40. Wikipedia
Early Life
Birth and Family Background
Cameron Michelle Diaz was born on August 30, 1972, in San Diego, California. She is the daughter of Billie (née Early), an import/export agent, and Emilio Diaz, a foreman at the California oil company Unocal. Cameron has an older sister named Chimene. Her father’s family is of Cuban descent, originally moving from Spain to Cuba before settling in the United States. Diaz’s mother has predominantly English and German ancestry.
Childhood and Upbringing
Diaz was raised in Long Beach, California, and attended Los Cerritos Elementary School followed by Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where she attended school with notable figures like Snoop Dogg. Diaz described her childhood as modest, stating, “I had amazing parents… We weren’t privileged—very much the opposite.” The family often collected soda cans to turn in for extra money, emphasizing their frugal lifestyle, but she noted that they were very happy.
Modeling Career
While still in high school, Diaz signed a modeling contract with Elite Model Management at age 16. She appeared in advertisements for major brands like Calvin Klein and Levi’s. At 17, she graced the cover of the July 1990 issue of Seventeen magazine and spent a few months modeling in Australia, where she also shot a Coca-Cola commercial in Sydney in 1991.
Career
1994–1998: Early Films and Rise to Fame
Breakthrough Role in The Mask
At 21, Diaz auditioned for her first major film role in The Mask, where she played Tina Carlyle, a jazz singer. Despite having no previous acting experience, she took acting lessons after being cast. The Mask was a significant success, becoming one of the top ten highest-grossing films of 1994 and establishing Diaz as a sex symbol in Hollywood.
Subsequent Roles
Following her breakthrough, Diaz starred in the independent black comedy The Last Supper (1995) and played an ex-stripper in Feeling Minnesota (1996). She also appeared alongside Jennifer Aniston in She’s the One (1996) and had a leading role in Head Above Water (1996). Although some films were less well-received, Diaz continued to gain visibility in the industry.
Major Success with My Best Friend’s Wedding
In 1997, Diaz starred in My Best Friend’s Wedding opposite Julia Roberts, which became a global box-office hit and is regarded as one of the best romantic comedies of its time.
Iconic Role in There’s Something About Mary
In 1998, Diaz played the title character in There’s Something About Mary, which was the highest-grossing comedy of that year, grossing over $369 million worldwide. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
1999–2004: Dramatic Roles and Critical Success
Acclaimed Performance in Being John Malkovich
In 1999, Diaz starred in Being John Malkovich, receiving widespread acclaim for her role as a pet-obsessed wife. She earned several nominations, including for the Golden Globe and BAFTA, but was notably snubbed for an Oscar nomination.
Diverse Roles and Continued Success
Following this, Diaz appeared in Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday (1999) and the Charlie’s Angels franchise, which was one of the highest-grossing films of 2000. In 2001, she starred in Vanilla Sky, earning further critical praise for her performance.
Voice Work in Shrek
Diaz voiced Princess Fiona in the animated film Shrek (2001), which was a massive commercial success and won the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Subsequent Films
Diaz continued her successful streak with roles in Gangs of New York (2002), Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003), and Shrek 2 (2004), solidifying her status as a leading actress in Hollywood.
2005–2011: Established Actress
Legal Troubles and Acclaimed Roles
In 2005, Diaz won a defamation lawsuit against the National Enquirer, which had published false claims about her personal life. She followed this with notable performances in In Her Shoes (2005) and The Holiday (2006), the latter becoming one of the year’s biggest commercial successes.
Continued Success in Film
Diaz starred in Shrek the Third (2007), which grossed nearly $800 million worldwide, and What Happens in Vegas (2008), a romantic comedy that performed well despite mixed reviews.
Challenging Roles
In 2009, she took on roles in My Sister’s Keeper and The Box, with the former achieving moderate commercial success.
Upcoming Projects
Although Cameron Diaz has stepped back from acting in recent years, she made a return to the screen in the Netflix film Back in Action (2023), starring alongside Jamie Foxx. This project has generated excitement among fans, marking her comeback after a hiatus from acting since Annie (2014).
Education
Cameron Diaz did not pursue formal education in the performing arts; instead, she relied on her modeling career to provide her with opportunities in acting. Her early experiences in the industry, combined with her natural talent, allowed her to transition successfully into film.
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Cameron Diaz Profile
- Full Name: Cameron Michelle Diaz
- Nickname: Cam, Cami
- Date of Birth: August 30, 1972
- Place of Birth: San Diego, California, USA
- Profession: Actress, Model, Author
- Debut: The Mask (1994)
Physical Stats
- Height: 5’9″ (175 cm)
- Weight: 58 kg (128 lbs)
- Eye Color: Blue
- Hair Color: Blonde
Personal Life
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse: Benji Madden (married in 2015)
- Children: Daughter, Raddix Madden (born in 2019)
Controversies
- Known for her outspoken views on Hollywood pressures and aging
- Faced criticism for publicly discussing cosmetic procedures, which she later spoke against
Family
- Father: Emilio Diaz (worked in the oil industry)
- Mother: Billie Early (import/export agent)
- Siblings: Sister, Chimene Diaz
Religion and Ethnicity
- Religion: Raised in a non-religious household
- Ethnicity: Mixed (Cuban descent from her father’s side, English, German, and Cherokee roots from her mother)
Hobbies
- Enjoys fitness, healthy living, cooking, and meditation
- Passionate about environmental and wellness issues
Favorite Things
- Favorite Food: Mexican cuisine, Italian dishes
- Favorite Actors: Tom Cruise, Jim Carrey
- Favorite Color: White
- Favorite Activities: Surfing, snowboarding
Relationship Status
- Dated celebrities like Jared Leto and Justin Timberlake before marrying Benji Madden
Financials
- Net Worth: Estimated around $140 million
- Income Sources: Acting, endorsements, book sales
Lesser Known Facts About Cameron Diaz
- Initially started her career as a model at 16
- Published two wellness books: The Body Book and The Longevity Book
- Rejected multiple roles before accepting her The Mask role
- Enjoys working on skincare and beauty products Echo Agenda
