Cameron Diaz attained remarkable fame and success in her acting career. Starting with breakthrough roles in movies like “The Mask” and “There’s Something About Mary,” and progressing to major franchises such as “Shrek” and “Charlie’s Angels,” Diaz became one of the most sought-after stars in Hollywood.
However, there’s a noteworthy explanation for her absence from the big screen lately: she retired from the entertainment industry in 2017.
During recent interviews, Cameron Diaz openly discussed her contentment with her decision to step away from her career, expressing that she harbors no regrets. However, she also delved into her rationale for making a return to acting for one more film.
Cameron Diaz – retirement
Cameron Diaz holds a prominent place in Hollywood history as one of the most accomplished actresses. Her movies have collectively amassed an impressive $3 billion at the US box office, establishing her as the fifth highest-grossing actress ever. Additionally, she has garnered four Golden Globe nominations for her performances.
Hart to Heart | Why Did Cameron Diaz Leave Acting?
Throughout the 2010s, Cameron Diaz’s career continued to flourish. In 2013, she held the distinction of being the highest-paid Hollywood actress over the age of 40. The following year, 2014, saw her starring in three films: “The Other Woman,” “Sex Tape,” and “Annie.”
However, following this period, Diaz noticeably withdrew from the cinematic spotlight. Despite her enduring status as a marketable star with the potential to secure significant roles in both movies and TV shows, she chose a different path. Diaz opted to step away from Hollywood, prioritizing her personal life and her family.
Cameron Diaz is married to Benji Madden, a musician from the band Good Charlotte. In 2019, they celebrated the arrival of their first child, a daughter named Raddix, who was born through a surrogate.
“I just decided that I wanted different things out of my life,” Cameron Diaz said in an interview with Gwyneth Paltrow last year. “I had gone so hard for so long, working, making films and it’s such a grind. I didn’t really make any space for my personal life.”
In various interviews, Diaz has expressed that she doesn’t long for the frenetic and demanding routine that accompanies being a prominent movie star.
“When you’re making a movie, it’s the perfect excuse. They own you,” she continued. “You’re there 12 hours a day for months on end. You have no time for anything else. And I realized I handed off parts of my life to all these other people, and they took it. And I had to basically take it back and take responsibility for my life.”
“When you do something at a really high level for a really long period of time, there’s a lot that — when you’re the person who’s sort of delivering on this one thing,” she told Kevin Hart. “You’re the person on the screen, you’re the person who’s ‘the talent’ — everything around you, all parts of you that isn’t that, has to be handed off to other people.”
Return to film
Even though she’s been absent from the screen, Diaz has remained active. She authored two highly successful health-oriented books, namely “The Body Book” and “The Longevity Book,” both of which became bestsellers.
Although she has relished her retirement and holds no remorse for departing from Hollywood, Diaz recently made the choice to come out of retirement for one final film endeavor.
In the previous year, news emerged that Cameron Diaz would make a return to the silver screen with a fittingly named film, “Back in Action,” alongside Jamie Foxx. Scheduled for release on Netflix this year, the movie marks Diaz’s first new project since 2014’s “Annie.”
Diaz and Foxx have shared the screen in the past, appearing together in films like “Any Given Sunday” and “Annie.” Evidently, Diaz was drawn to the opportunity to reunite with her former co-star.
“I took the time, I met my husband, we got married, built our family, built our homes—all those things that take a lot of focus,” Diaz told Rachel Ray. “That’s still my priority. I wasn’t certain at the time whether I could do both, [but] it just turned out that at this point in time, it’s a really nice thing for my family.”
Indirect sources indicate that Diaz’s reentry into Hollywood is a short-lived affair. After completing filming for “Back in Action,” it seems she is planning to retire once more.
Insiders revealed that the continuous string of demanding 10-hour workdays has taken a toll on Diaz, and she finds it challenging to be away from her daughter Raddix. According to an unnamed source quoted in Marca, “Cameron loves being a mom more than anything in the world.”
The source emphasized that Diaz has already accomplished a great deal and feels she no longer needs to prove anything to anyone.