For 20 Year Hollywood runs, Cameron Diaz Was a Household Name
For 20 consecutive years, Cameron Diaz was a Hollywood staple, starring in at least one film a year. From her debut in 1994’s “The Mask” to her final appearance in 2014’s “Annie”, Diaz dominated the big screen. But despite her decade-long dominance, Diaz now says that her best years came after she left the industry.
In a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Diaz, 52, credited leaving showbiz with being “the best 10 years of my life”. She said she was able to “just be… a mom, I’m a wife, I’m living my life” without the pressure of constant acting offers.
“Dancing pulled away from her acting career, she would still receive offers, but she said “people stopped asking” after constantly turning them down. During her retirement, Diaz spent her time raising children, writing a book, and launching a wine company.
After receiving $45 million from Netflix to star in two films, Diaz returned to acting five years ago. She said the decision to rejoin the industry was driven by her family and a desire to appreciate the privilege of being a movie star. “I just thought to myself… if I don’t engage that again and give that a chance and participate in it and be grateful for it, I would be a fool,” she said.
Although Diaz is back in the spotlight, she is not promising another 20-year acting streak. Her upcoming projects are scheduled for 2025 and 2026, and she is taking it one step at a time. “This is maybe the beginning, maybe I’ll tiptoe in. Maybe I’ll go gung ho. I don’t know, but it’s here and I’m really grateful for it.”