Cameron Diaz: From Being Famous in Hollywood to Retiring and Coming Back

Cameron Diaz has had a lot of big hits in Hollywood, from her first big roles in “The Mask” and “There’s Something About Mary” to her parts in “Shrek” and “Charlie’s Angels.” Fans have been asking where she is because she hasn’t been in any movies in a few years. The cause? When Diaz quit acting in 2017, she did so to put her family and personal life first.

Diaz is still remembered as one of the most famous actresses of all time, even though she has been away from Hollywood for a while. Together, her movies have made more than $3 billion at the US box office, making her the fifth-highest-grossing actor of all time. In addition, she was nominated for four Golden Globes.

Diaz’s work was still going strong in the early 2010s. In 2013, she was the highest-paid actor over 40 in Hollywood. In 2014, she was in three movies: “The Other Woman,” “Sex Tape,” and “Annie.” At the end of this busy time, Diaz decided to take a break from the spotlight to focus on her personal life.

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 02: Guitarist Benji Madden and actress Cameron Diaz attend House of Harlow 1960 x REVOLVE on June 2, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Donato Sardella/Getty Images for REVOLVE)

Diaz married Good Charlotte musician Benji Madden, and the couple welcomed their daughter Raddix in 2019 through surrogacy. Diaz explained her decision to retire in an interview with Gwyneth Paltrow, highlighting her desire for a different life that included more space for her personal life.

She acknowledged the toll that the demanding schedule of a movie star takes, saying, “When you’re making a movie, it’s the perfect excuse. They own you. You’re there 12 hours a day for months on end. You have no time for anything else.” Diaz also expressed her realization that she had delegated parts of her life to others and needed to take responsibility for herself.

During her time away from acting, Diaz authored two bestselling health books, “The Body Book” and “The Longevity Book.” Although she enjoyed her retirement and had no regrets about leaving Hollywood, she recently decided to make a return to the screen.

In the upcoming film “Back in Action,” set to be released on Netflix, Diaz will star alongside Jamie Foxx. The decision to return to acting was motivated by the chance to work with Foxx again, as they had previously collaborated on projects like “Any Given Sunday” and “Annie.” Diaz emphasized that her family remains her priority and that her return to acting is a temporary endeavor.

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: (SUN NEWSPAPER OUT. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE J. HOGAN GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz attend a photocall for “Annie” at Corinthia Hotel London on December 16, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

Reports suggest that after completing filming for “Back in Action,” Diaz plans to retire once again. Sources state that the demanding work schedule and time away from her family have taken a toll on her, and Diaz is eager to focus on her role as a mother.

Diaz’s decision to retire from acting highlights the importance of balancing personal and professional priorities. Her success in Hollywood and her subsequent choice to step back from the industry demonstrate her commitment to embracing new chapters in life.