Cameron Michelle Díaz (born August 30, 1972) is a Cuban-American film actress.
Diaz was born and raised in San Diego, California, the daughter of Emilio Díaz, a Cuban-American father who worked as a foreman for an oil company, and mother Billie, an exporting agent whose ancestry included English, German and Native American. She attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School.
At age 16 she landed a contract with the prestigious Elle modelling agency. After graduating from High School she went to work in Japan, there meeting video director Carlo de la Torre. On her return to America she moved in with him. For the next few years her modelling took her 'round the world, working for contracts with major companies.
At the age of 21 she auditioned for a part in the Jim Carrey movie The Mask. To her own surprise, and with no previous acting experience, she was cast as the female lead. Immediately on getting the part she signed up for acting lessons.
Over the next three years she honed her acting skills in low budget, independent films such as The Last Supper (1995), Feeling Minnesota (1996), and She's The One (1996).
She returned to mainstream as "perfect" fiancée in the romantic comedy in My Best Friend's Wedding (1997) with Julia Roberts. Her lead role in the crude comedy There's Something About Mary (1998) brought her genuine star status.
Díaz then returned to independent film with the quirky Being John Malkovich (1999) and Oliver Stone took risks when he gave her a role in Any Given Sunday (1999). Both films enjoyed critical and commercial success and critics heralded Díaz's performances.
Covers and Featured in Magazines
- Entertainment Weekly (October 14, 2005, Issue 844/845) -- Cameron Diaz made the cover and was featured.
- Rolling Stone (April 25, 2002, Issue No. 894) -- Cover with Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate & Selma Blair.
- Rolling Stone (August 22, 1996, Issue No. 741) -- Cover and feature article on Diaz.
Film
- In Her Shoes (2005)
- Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)
- Shrek (2001)
- Vanilla Sky (2001)
- Charlie's Angels (2000)
- Any Given Sunday (1999)
- There's Something About Mary (1998)
- Very Bad Things (1998)
- The Mask (1994)