Cameron Diaz

Cameron Michelle Diaz was born.

Aug 30, 1972

Diaz was born in San Diego, California. Her mother, Billie, has German, English, and Cherokee ancestry. Her father, Emilio Diaz, has Cuban ancestry Diaz has an older sister, Chimene.
(On photo she with her parents)

A Star Discovered

Oct 9, 1989

Photographer Jeff Dunas spots 16-year-old Diaz at a party and offers to help her land modeling work. Within days she has a contract with Elite Model Agency and shortly thereafter is working for clients such as Coca-Cola and Nivea. (on photo Cameron Diaz 16 years old)

Seventeen

Jul 5, 1990

When she was age 17, she was featured on the front cover of the "Seventeen"

Cameron Diaz & Carlos de la Torre

Period: Oct 17, 1990 to Oct 17, 1994

From 1990 to December 1994, Diaz dated with video producer Carlos de la Torre.

First Movie

Jul 29, 1994

Diaz hits the big screen in the Jim Carrey comedy The Mask. The model, whose only acting experience was in a high school drama class, "tried out as a joke," according to her agent, Robin Levy.

First Award and First Successful Film

Jun 20, 1997

Diaz appears in the romantic comedy My Best Friend's Wedding, which eventually earns $300 million. Also she wins her first awards: ALMA Award and Blockbuster Award

PEOPLE's 50 Most Beautiful

May 11, 1998

Named one of 50 Most Beautiful People.

Makes Movie History

Jul 15, 1998

Diaz plays in There's Something About Mary. The movie becomes a hit, earning $172 million, and the hair-gel joke makes movie history.

Being John Malkovich

Oct 17, 1999

Acting in "Being John Malkovich", and being nominated on 11 awards. PEOPLE calls her "dizzy original"

Going Cartoon

May 16, 2001

Shrek's history is born. Diaz voices the object of the ogre - Princess Fiona. In April, Diaz accepts the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Best Burp (as Princess Fiona). She signs on for 2004's Shrek 2 and 2007's Shrek the Third.

Drama

Dec 9, 2002

Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York hits theaters. About her audition, Diaz tells PEOPLE, "I didn't care if I got the job – I got to read for Marty Scorsese." The following year, Cameron crosses the $20 million-per-picture barrier.

Relationships with Justin Timberlake

Period: Jul 7, 2003 to Jan 11, 2007

Diaz, 30, date with 22-year-old Justin Timberlake. That was her longest relationships.

One of The Richest Hispanic Female Celebrity

Oct 17, 2010

In 2010, Forbes Magazine ranked Cameron Diaz as the richest Hispanic female celebrity, ranking number 60 among the wealthiest 100

Bad Teacher

Jun 24, 2011

Diaz' 2011 film Bad Teacher was a quiet hit. It earned $216 million on a tiny budget of $22 million.