Cameron Diaz Explains Why She Took a 10-Year Hiatus From Acting

Cameron Diaz arrives on the red carpet for the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hill, California, January 17, 2010. Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Actress Cameron Diaz, recognized for her roles in blockbuster films such as “There’s Something About Mary,” “Charlie’s Angels,” and “Vanilla Sky,” has addressed why she decided to take a break from acting in 2014.

“For me, it was just something I had to do,” the 52-year-old movie star shared while speaking during a panel at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit. The event was held at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, California, from Oct. 14 to Oct. 16.

“It felt like the right thing for me to reclaim my own life, and I just really didn’t care about anything else,” she said.

“And 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.”

Diaz hasn’t appeared on the big screen since starring in the 2014 comedy film “Annie,” an adaptation of the Broadway musical and the 1982 movie of the same name.

The actress married musician Benji Madden, the lead guitarist for the rock band Good Charlotte, in January 2015.

While speaking on the panel, Diaz said she chose to step away from Hollywood so that she could focus on her journey toward motherhood.

“I think it really comes to: What are you passionate about?” the actress said. “For me, it was to, you know, build my family.”

After experiencing fertility issues, Diaz and Madden, 45, welcomed their first child, daughter Raddix, in December 2019.

“We are so happy, blessed and grateful to begin this new decade by announcing the birth of our daughter, Raddix Madden,” the couple wrote on Instagram on Jan. 3, 2020.

“She has instantly captured our hearts and completed our family,” the couple added.

“While we are overjoyed to share this news, we also feel a strong instinct to protect our little one’s privacy. So we won’t be posting pictures or sharing any more details, other than the fact that she is really really cute!!”

The couple welcomed their second child earlier this year.

“We are blessed and excited to announce the birth of our Son, Cardinal Madden,” they shared via Instagram on March 22. “He is awesome and We are all so happy he is here!”

(L-R) Musician Benji Madden, author Vicky Vlachonis, and actress Cameron Diaz. Diaz came out to celebrate the launch of her friend's book, The Body Doesn't Lie, in Los Angeles, on May 15, 2014. Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Goop

Acting Career

Diaz made her film debut in 1994, starring alongside Jim Carrey in “The Mask.”

She went on to appear in a slew of films throughout the ‘90s, including “The Last Supper” (1995), “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997), “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (1998), “There’s Something About Mary” (1998), “ and ”Any Given Sunday” (1999).

In 2000, Diaz starred alongside actresses Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu in “Charlie’s Angels.” The following year she appeared in the sci-fi thriller “Vanilla Sky,” starring Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, and Kurt Russell.

Throughout the aughts, the actress kept busy in Hollywood, landing roles in “Gangs of New York” (2002), “The Holiday” (2006), “What Happens in Vegas” (2008), “My Sister’s Keeper” (2009), and “The Box” (2009).

(L-R) Bobby Cannavale, Quvenzhane Wallis, Marty the dog, Cameron Diaz, and Jamie Foxx during the premiere of "Annie" in New York on Dec. 8, 2014.Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

The Avaline Wine co-founder—who received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in June 2009—is now poised to make her return to acting.

Ten years after appearing in her last film, “Annie,” which premiered in December 2014, Diaz will star in the action comedy “Back in Action,” slated to debut on Netflix in January 2025.

The film, directed by filmmaker Seth Gordon, stars Glenn Close, Kyle Chandler, and Jamie Foxx—who was Diaz’s costar in “Annie.”

“It feels so good to be back,” the streaming service shared in a joint Instagram post on May 15. “@iamJamiefoxx and @CameronDiaz star in BACK IN ACTION, premiering November 15”