Cameron Diaz has opened up about her 11-year retirement from acting as she returns with Back in Action next year.

Celebrity

Cameron Diaz Reveals The Real Reason Behind Her 11-Year Absence From Hollywood

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15:42 26 November 2024

Updated: 20:18 26 November 2024


Cameron Diaz has revealed why she decided to leave Hollywood over a decade ago.

Diaz has been a staple in Hollywood since the 1990s, known for films such as Shrek, Bad Teacher, The Holiday, and many more.

Over the years, she’s become one of the most recognizable and beloved faces in the entertainment industry – making her absence even more noticeable.

Now, Diaz has opened up about her period of retirement and explained the reason behind it.

Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz has opened up about her 11-year retirement from acting. Credit: Alamy

Diaz’s breakout role came in 1994’s The Mask, in which she starred alongside Jim Carrey.

Her portrayal of the sultry Tina Carlyle showcased her undeniable charisma and launched her into stardom.

Following this, she cemented herself as a queen of romantic comedies with films such as My Best Friend’s Wedding and demonstrated her comedic prowess in movies like There’s Something About Mary.

Yet Diaz has never been one to be pigeonholed.

She’s explored a range of genres, with dramas including Being John Malkovich and hard-hitting action like in Charlie’s Angels.

Along the way, she’s earned critical acclaim and several award nominations.

Yet her frequent screen appearances came to an end in 2014 when Diaz decided to take a step back from acting.

Back in Action (2025).
Cameron Diaz is returning to acting with the 2025 Netflix movie Back in Action. Credit: Netflix

In the following year, she married musician Benji Madden and they’ve since welcomed two children.

Diaz has also emerged as a wellness advocate and author, with her books ‘The Body Book’ and ‘The Longevity Book,’ delving into topics like health, aging, and self-care.

Plus, she has her organic wine brand, Avaline.

As she sets to make her return to the big screen with Netflix‘s Back in Action next year and Shrek‘s forthcoming sequel, Diaz has opened up about her years of retirement.

Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz said she wanted to ‘reclaim my own life.’ Credit: Fortune

“For me, it was just something I had to do,” Diaz shared at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit.

“It felt like something I had to do to reclaim my own life. And I just really didn’t care about anything else.”

She elaborated further, saying: “Nobody’s opinion, nobody’s success, no one’s offer, no one’s anything could change my mind about my decision of taking care of myself and building the life that I really wanted to have.”

For Diaz, the priority was clear: “It really comes to: What are you passionate about? For me, it was to build my family.”

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