She walked into Hollywood as a model with no acting experience — and walked out as one of the biggest movie stars on the planet. 🌟 At 54, Cameron Diaz is back: three new movies, a third baby, and a voice role 17 years in the making. From Long Beach to a London red carpet to the top of Apple TV — this is the updated story.
Cameron Diaz Then 🌱
Cameron Michelle Diaz was born on August 30, 1972, in San Diego, California, and raised in Long Beach. Her father, Emilio, worked as an oil company foreman. Her mother, Billie, was an import broker.
Her background is a mix of Cuban, Italian, and German heritage — and she grew up with all the noise that comes with a big, warm family.
She was just 16 when she started modeling. Signed by Elite, she was soon on the covers of Seventeen and Mademoiselle, starring in ads for Levi’s, Calvin Klein, and Coca-Cola.
The modeling life took her everywhere — Japan, Australia, Morocco, Mexico. She spent a long stretch living in Paris, soaking up the fashion world.
Then came the accident that made history. At 21, with zero acting experience, she auditioned for a small part in The Mask (1994). She walked out with the female lead — Tina Carlyle, opposite Jim Carrey.
The film was a smash. Overnight, the model was a movie star.
The 90s belonged to her after that. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) made her a rom-com draw. There’s Something About Mary (1998) made her a phenomenon — and earned her first Golden Globe nomination.
The Middle: Angels, Fiona, and Four Golden Globe Noms 👑
She wasn’t just a comedy star. In 1999, she pulled off the double act nobody expected: Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday and Spike Jonze’s Being John Malkovich — the latter earning her Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations.
Then came the angels. Charlie’s Angels (2000) teamed her with Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu, and the trio became a pop-culture moment. The 2003 sequel kept the franchise flying.
In 2001, she gave voice to her most famous character of all: Princess Fiona in Shrek. The film won the first-ever Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
The dramatic roles kept the critics happy. Vanilla Sky (2001) brought another Golden Globe nomination. Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York (2002) brought one more — her fourth.
Her films have grossed over $3 billion at the U.S. box office. In 2013, she was named the highest-paid actress over 40 in Hollywood.
The comedies kept rolling: The Holiday (2006), What Happens in Vegas (2008), Knight and Day (2010), Bad Teacher (2011). Then, in 2014, she quietly stopped — three films that year, and done.
She used the break well. The Body Book (2013) and The Longevity Book (2016) made her a bestselling author. In 2020, she co-founded Avaline, a clean-wine brand that became a real business. 💰
Her personal life found its footing. In 2015, she married Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden at her Beverly Hills home — with Barrymore among the bridesmaids. Their daughter Raddix arrived in 2019. Their son Cardinal followed in 2024.
Cameron Diaz Now 📈
Today, Cameron Diaz is 54 — she turned 54 on August 30, 2026. And the comeback she started last year is in full swing.
It began with a phone call. In 2022, her Annie co-star Jamie Foxx rang her up — with Tom Brady on the line too — and talked her out of retirement.
The result: Back in Action, the Netflix spy comedy that hit the streamer on January 17, 2025. Diaz and Foxx play a retired CIA couple dragged back into the game. Her first film in 11 years — and fans showed up. 🎬
She followed it fast. In April 2026, she starred in Outcome, Jonah Hill’s dark comedy for Apple TV. Keanu Reeves plays Reef Hawk, an extorted movie star; Diaz plays Kyle, one of his ride-or-die best friends, alongside Matt Bomer.
The reviews were mixed — but the film debuted at No. 1 on Apple TV, and Diaz was singled out as one of its highlights. It was her boldest role in years: raw, funny, and nothing like the rom-com girl.
Next up: Bad Day, a Netflix comedy slated for December 2026. Then the big one — Shrek 5, arriving in theaters on June 30, 2027, with Zendaya joining the cast as Felicia, the daughter of Shrek and Fiona.
And the family grew again. In May 2026, Benji announced the birth of their third child — a son named Nautas, meaning “sailor, navigator, voyager.” Three kids, three names nobody else has. 👶
From a 16-year-old model in Paris to a 54-year-old mother of three with a $140 million fortune. From Tina Carlyle to Princess Fiona to Kyle.
Cameron Diaz took eleven years off — and came back like she’d never left. ✨
Quick Answers ❓
How old is Cameron Diaz now?
She is 54. She was born on August 30, 1972, in San Diego, California — and turned 54 on August 30, 2026.
What is Cameron Diaz’s new movie?
Her comeback film was Back in Action (Netflix, Jan 17, 2025) with Jamie Foxx. In April 2026 she starred in Outcome (Apple TV+) with Keanu Reeves. Bad Day (Netflix) is slated for December 2026, and Shrek 5 arrives June 30, 2027.
How many kids does Cameron Diaz have?
Three with husband Benji Madden: daughter Raddix (2019), son Cardinal (2024), and son Nautas (2026).
Is Cameron Diaz still married?
Yes. She married Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden in January 2015.
Why did Cameron Diaz retire?
After three films in 2014, she stepped back to focus on family and her businesses — her books and the Avaline wine brand. She returned to acting in 2025 with Back in Action.
What is Avaline?
Her clean-wine brand, co-founded in 2020 with entrepreneur Katherine Power — organic, vegan wines.
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