From quick-witted to fun, flirty and absolute badass, — the versatility of Cameron Diaz, 50, is somewhat unmatched. Beginning her acting career at age 21 with a leading role opposite Jim Carrey in The Mask, Diaz quickly rose to fame with the nature of her striking confidence and humor.
Receiving a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009 for her outstanding work in films like Something About Mary, Charlie's Angles, and Vanilla Sky, Diaz leaves viewers with a warm heart from her awe-inspiring range of personality traits that are simultaneously assertive, quirky, bright, exuberant, and bizarre, with the ability to be the focal point of just about any room that her angelic presence graces. But it hasn't always been easy.
Diaz Talks with Kevin Hart About Quitting Acting and Her Return
Though a confident dazzler, Diaz took a step back from acting due to concerns about her mental health in 2018, stating, “When you do something at a really high level for a long period of time, when you’re the person that’s sort of delivering on this one thing, everything around, all parts of you that isn’t that, has to sort of be handed off to other people,” Diaz told Kevin Hart on his talk show Hart to Heart. She continued:
Just, the management of me as a human being… Cameron Diaz is a machine. But for my personal, spiritual self, I was realizing that one part of me that functioned at a high level wasn’t enough.
Luckily a mere four years after bringing herself back to her nature, actor Jamie Foxx called Diaz back to the limelight for a role in the new Netflix action-comedy, the aptly titled Back in Action, which started filming in late 2022. Foxx told E! News' “Daily Pop” in an interview that he essentially pulled all stops to get Diaz on board, saying, “We just begged and pleaded on my knees, like, Just give the people one more again.”
In continuing with her Hart to Heart interview, Diaz opens up about the start of her career, stating that acting was, “Never the plan, I was not trying to act. I was doing commercials." However, after the filmmaker of The Mask, Russell Chuck, realized how monumental Diaz’s work was from months of dance rehearsals and readings before even landing the leading role of Tina Carlyle, Diaz quickly measured herself up to what Russell anticipated of her, and we are glad she did.
The Versatility of Cameron Diaz's Movie Roles
Though chosen for multiple roles after premiering as Jim Carrey’s leading lady, Diaz was quite meticulous about what movies she took on, telling Hart, “Everything is about the project, not the money [...] Intention is everything.” Thinking for herself, Diaz's future after her first leading role is history, as she emanated the equivalence of true excellence as Carrey’s counterpart in The Mask. Wondering if Diaz knew just how important her characteristic nature was, we can only thank her for her next leading role in Something About Mary — as her eccentric enthusiasm personified the essence of many women with her charming commentary and temperament.
Now, this is where we really get to see Diaz step out in all her glory. Making headway for her roles to come after portraying the titular Mary alongside Ben Stiller, Diaz showed fans and filmmakers just how versatile her acting range was in the raunchy comedy film. From consuming the room with her hilarious elegance to making every co-star feel comfortable by just being her, Diaz couldn’t have performed better for the course of her career alongside Stiller as the wholesome 'girl next store' that everyone loves.
Once Diaz gained momentum, there was no stopping her. Taking leading roles in action, comedy, romance, and animated movies, Diaz ruled the big screen with her ability to adapt to any given role. From being The Other Woman, to Princess Fiona, and the ever-so affectionate lover of The Holiday, Diaz truly has impeccable skill when it comes to embodying a role. As she explained to Hart, “You want to have an impact on people's lives. You want to have an impact."
Jamie Foxx Calls Diaz Out of Retirement for Back in Action
After giving birth to her daughter in 2019, Diaz soon realized that she was so used to being busy, that she forgot how to focus on what was right in front of her before the industry had swept her off her feet. With the step away from acting in 2018 to center herself on mothering and her wine business, Avaline, Diaz was able to revive her acting chops enough for the call from Foxx to return to film for the upcoming action-comedy, Back in Action.
Diaz's last role before taking a break was in the 2014 movie, Annie. Now with her new leading role alongside Foxx, fans should prepare for what's probably going to be another act full of good chemistry and enthusiastic humor. Because you best bet that she is going to deliver as the Cameron that we all know and love — especially in her new embodiment after taking time to reconnect with herself.
Back in Action has yet to set a premiere date, but really, all we need to know is that Diaz is back where she thrives: among the stars in all her glory. Thinking back to her multifaceted talent, we can only hope that Diaz continues her step forward out of retirement, as her unique relatability was truly missed.