Biography
Who is Cameron Diaz?
Early life and modeling career
Born in San Diego, California, on August 30, 1972, Cameron Michelle Diaz grew up in the Long Beach area. Her parents were Billie Early and Emilio Diaz, and she has one sister named Chimene. She attended Los Cerritos Elementary School and later Long Beach Polytechnic High School.
During her teenage years, she began a career in modeling. At age 16, she signed a contract with Elite Model Management. Her early work included appearing in advertisements for brands like Calvin Klein and Levi's. By age 17, she appeared on the cover of Seventeen magazine. She also spent several months modeling in Australia and filmed a Coca-Cola commercial in Sydney in 1991. Her upbringing was modest, and she has spoken about her family collecting soda cans to help with finances during her youth.
Rise to film fame
Cameron Diaz made her film debut in 1994 with the comedy The Mask. Although she had no prior acting experience, she was cast as Tina Carlyle. The movie became one of the top ten highest-grossing films of that year. Following this success, she appeared in other projects like The Last Supper and Feeling Minnesota.
In 1997, she gained wider attention for her role as the fiancée in the romantic comedy My Best Friend's Wedding. The following year, she starred in the title role of the hit comedy There's Something About Mary. This film was a major commercial success, grossing millions worldwide. Critics noted her ability to perform well in comedic roles during this period. She also explored dramatic acting with films such as the sports drama Any Given Sunday and the fantasy movie Being John Malkovich in 1999.
Career highlights and achievements
Throughout the early 2000s, the career of Cameron Diaz continued to grow with high-profile projects. She starred in the action comedy Charlie's Angels alongside Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu. In 2001, she began providing the voice for Princess Fiona in the Shrek animated franchise.
Her performance in the 2001 film Vanilla Sky earned her nominations for awards at the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild. She appeared in numerous successful films over the next decade, including The Holiday, What Happens in Vegas, and Bad Teacher. After starring in three comedies in 2014, including The Other Woman and Annie, she stepped back from acting to focus on her family. She later returned to the screen for the 2025 project Back in Action. Beyond her acting work, she has authored two books focused on health, titled The Body Book and The Longevity Book.
Personal life and family
Cameron Diaz married musician Benji Madden, the guitarist for the band Good Charlotte, in 2015. The couple has one child together, a daughter named Raddix Madden. Their family life has occasionally been the subject of media attention.
Before her marriage, her personal life and relationships were frequently covered by the press. She maintains a private life while continuing to manage her career interests. Throughout her decades-long career, she has received various accolades, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and multiple MTV Movie Awards. Her transition from model to a major film star highlights a varied professional history that spans comedy, drama, and voice acting.
Birthday and age
Cameron Diaz was born on August 30, 1972, which makes Cameron 54 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Cameron shares the date with 26 other famous people.
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