Top 10 Moments That Made Us Love Cameron Diaz

For almost 25 years, Diaz was among the most recognizable and bankable stars in Hollywood. Following her performance as Miss Hannigan in 2014’s “Annie,” Diaz exited the limelight. Fast-forward another four years, Diaz confirmed that she had retired, wanting to reclaim her life and focus on building her family. Diaz gradually resurfaced, guest judging “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” in 2022. Later that year, Diaz announced her first acting role in nearly a decade. She kicked off 2025 reteaming with “Annie” co-star Jamie Foxx for the aptly titled Netflix film “Back in Action.” Diaz’s comeback is just getting started, being under contract for another Netflix movie. She’s also joining the Apple comedy movie “Outcome” and gearing up to voice Princess Fiona again in “Shrek 5.”

Diaz has dropped by Studio 8H several times over the years, hosting on four occasions. Her first stint was in 1998 when she appeared in one of the decade’s most underrated sketches, “Jingleheimer Junction.” Diaz played Katie Kindness, a member of a kids’ show that tackles some adult subject matter with the arrival of Will Ferrell’s Fred Friendship. We’re not allowed to spell out why. She returned in 2002, showing off some cheeky choreography, and in 2005, bonding with the female cast members over those awkward high school years. Diaz most recently hosted in 2014 with highlights including an “Annie” parody and the Thanksgiving ballad “Back Home Ballers.” With Cameron’s comeback, here’s hoping that she finally joins the Five-Timers Club.

Casting is crucial in a comedy like “Bad Teacher.” On paper, Elizabeth Halsey[a] isn’t just a bad teacher. She’s an all-around horrible human being. With Diaz in the role, though, we oddly root for Elizabeth, even as she cheats, steals, lies, manipulates, and frames rival co-workers. Then if there’s time, maybe she’ll help a student… in inappropriate yet effective ways. The film doesn’t betray its mean-spirited tone by having Elizabeth do a 180. Yet, her brutal honesty doesn’t go unappreciated, showing students that the world is cynical and doesn’t always reward people who play by the rules. Elizabeth also learns that even if life isn’t what you envisioned, you can still make the best of your situation and grow… ever-so-slightly.

Becoming a Christmas staple for many, this Nancy Meyers rom-com sees Diaz’s Amanda trade places with Winslet’s Iris across the pond for the holiday. Diaz is a delightful fish out of water as a workaholic from the West Coast adjusting to quieter, smaller, and colder living conditions. When Jude Law suddenly drops by your doorstep, the scenery change immediately improves. Meyers thought Diaz brought a Goldie Hawn quality to the role, taking Amanda to another level through her physical timing and improvisation skills. A notable unscripted moment comes toward the end when Amanda decides to extend her visit, running back to the cottage in heels. Diaz will make you laugh and you might even cry along with Amanda in the end.

Diaz voicing a fairy tale princess doesn’t seem like a stretch. Princess Fiona even shares a resemblance to Diaz… initially. That said, Fiona is more than meets the eye, not only being a skilled martial artist, but an ogre by night. Throughout four films, we see Fiona change in more ways than one. Fiona’s happy ending isn’t permanently becoming quote-unquote “beautiful,” but rather, being with her true love and true to herself. We’re not sure if ogres are technically human, but Diaz certainly brings humanity to the character. In addition to infusing Fiona with empathy, Diaz allowed her freak flag to fly during the recording sessions. A couple of Diaz’s actual burps can be heard in the movies - some of which weren’t in the script.

Diaz, Barrymore, and Liu were far from unknowns when they were cast in the cinematic reboot of “Charlie’s Angels.” That explosive 2000s blockbuster and its sequel catapulted all three to another frontier of fame, however. While Diaz had her standout moments as the adorkably badass Natalie, the best moments in both movies focus on the Angels as a unit. You never get the sense that one is trying to upstage the other as the Angels dish out punches, jokes, and innuendos in unison. The comradery onscreen reflects the enduring friendship that formed behind the scenes. Two decades after the first film, Diaz and Liu were among Barrymore’s first guests on her talk show. Although Diaz was there virtually, the Angels remain a close-knit team.

When Julia Roberts’ Julianne realizes her true feelings for her betrothed best friend, she decides to stop his wedding. Diaz plays the bride-to-be, Kimmy, who would be the villain in any other rom-com from this era. Kimmy is impossible to dislike, though, asking Jules to be her maid of honor because she knows how much her friendship means to the groom. The only negative thing we can say about Kimmy is that her singing could use some fine-tuning. Even then, she steals the show on karaoke night. As cheerful as Kimmy is, she isn’t afraid to tear into Jules upon learning of her deceit. Yet, Kimmy is also quick to forgive after Jules owns up to her mistakes with everyone getting the ending they deserve.

Lotte Schwartz[b] was the last major character to be cast in Spike Jonze’s “Being John Malkovich.” Catherine Keener suggested Cameron Diaz, who had risen to fame playing glamorous characters. As such, Diaz might’ve seemed like an unusual choice to play a modest, frizzy-haired introvert who receives more affection from her animals than her husband. Yet, Jonze not only noticed Diaz’s range and energy, but could see that she understood the character. Lotte perhaps goes through the most significant change after experiencing the world through Malkovich’s eyes. At first repressed, Lotte is awakened to the person who’s been trying to get out, embarking on a journey of self-discovery. For her layered performance, Diaz received nominations from the SAG Awards, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes.

“There’s Something About Mary” brought together several talents on the cusp of superstardom, including Diaz as the titular bombshell. While this comedy solidified Diaz’s A-lister status, it easily could’ve been career poison. The moment that gave Diaz the most pause was naturally the most iconic. You know the one. Mary shows up for a date with Ben Stiller’s Ted, mistaking something dangling her his ear for hair gel. Diaz was totally on board, although she got cold feet shortly before shooting. She ultimately committed to the scene, knowing its shock value would be balanced with laughs and heart. Diaz was the key to making this scene and the film as a whole work, winning the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress.

With Jim Carrey playing the Mask, everyone else could’ve been upstaged. Yet, all eyes were on Cameron Diaz in her first film role. Coming from a modeling background, Diaz looked the part of a gorgeous nightclub singer. What made Diaz an overnight star was the charm, charisma, and nuance that she brought to the role. For all the comedic hijinks, the film does take time for a sweet romance as Diaz’s Tina Carlyle falls for the only nice guy in her life. Critics praised Diaz’s performance with Gene Siskel saying she was worthy of a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination. Although the Academy didn’t notice, audiences did with Diaz quickly becoming one of the most in-demand actresses in the business.


What’s your favorite Cameron Diaz moment? Let us know in the comments.

[b]https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/46cfb398-b336-4fc0-9bc4-cff88415b494