The 10 Best Cameron Diaz Roles

Cameron Diaz has built a varied career across sharp comedies, prestige dramas, and blockbuster franchises, moving from scene-stealing live-action performances to beloved voice work. Below are standout roles that showcase her range—from breakout hits to acclaimed collaborations with major directors and ensembles—spanning studio tentpoles, romantic comedies, and a notable television project.

‘The Mask’ (1994) – Tina Carlyle

This comic-book adaptation pairs Diaz with Jim Carrey under director Chuck Russell, introducing her as a nightclub singer entangled with both a mob boss and a mischievous, mask-wielding everyman. The film’s blend of live action and early CGI effects helped it become a major box-office success worldwide. Diaz’s debut led to immediate leading-lady opportunities across multiple genres. The soundtrack and New Orleans-styled set pieces also contributed to the movie’s pop-culture footprint.

‘There’s Something About Mary’ (1998) – Mary Jensen

Directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly, this comedy teams Diaz with Ben Stiller and Matt Dillon in a story built around an unforgettable prom date that never quite fades. The movie became a global hit, revitalizing R-rated studio comedy and expanding Diaz’s mainstream reach. She received major awards recognition in the comedy/musical category for her performance. Its set pieces, needle-drops, and ensemble chemistry influenced many studio comedies that followed.

‘Being John Malkovich’ (1999) – Lotte Schwartz

Spike Jonze directs this surreal, genre-bending tale from a Charlie Kaufman script, with Diaz playing a pet-obsessed spouse who discovers a literal portal into an actor’s mind. She transforms physically and vocally to play against type, earning significant awards nominations for supporting actress. The film’s meta-premise, puppeteering motif, and comic-philosophical tone made it a critical landmark. Its ensemble—John Cusack, Catherine Keener, and John Malkovich—anchors the offbeat concept with precise character work.

‘Charlie’s Angels’ (2000) – Natalie Cook

This action-comedy revival of the classic series teams Diaz with Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu under director McG. The film blends martial-arts choreography, wire-work, and pop-music-driven set pieces to reintroduce the Angels for modern audiences. It performed strongly at the global box office and spawned a sequel that expanded the franchise’s scale. Diaz’s role sits at the center of the team dynamic, balancing undercover hijinks with slick stunt sequences.

‘Shrek’ (2001–2010) – Princess Fiona (voice)

Diaz voices Princess Fiona opposite Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy across multiple installments, helping anchor DreamWorks Animation’s fairy-tale satire. The original film won the inaugural Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and established a long-running franchise. Fiona’s arc—blending action beats, comedic timing, and character growth—became a key pillar of the series’ appeal. Tie-in media, merchandising, and sequels such as ‘Shrek 2’, ‘Shrek the Third’, and ‘Shrek Forever After’ kept the character culturally prominent.

‘Gangs of New York’ (2002) – Jenny Everdeane

Martin Scorsese’s historical epic casts Diaz alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis in a Five Points-set story of vengeance, politics, and immigrant rivalries. The production is known for large-scale sets, period detail, and ensemble performances. The film received a wide slate of Academy Award nominations across major categories. Diaz’s character intersects the film’s central conflict, connecting competing criminal factions and personal histories.

‘Vanilla Sky’ (2001) – Julianna “Julie” Gianni

Directed by Cameron Crowe, this psychological thriller stars Tom Cruise and Penélope Cruz, with Diaz as a pivotal figure in a story that blurs dream and reality. It adapts the Spanish film ‘Open Your Eyes’, reimagining its themes through music-driven storytelling and nonlinear structure. Diaz earned major industry nominations for supporting actress for her performance. The film’s soundtrack curation and twist-layered narrative have sustained long-term interest and analysis.

‘The Holiday’ (2006) – Amanda Woods

Nancy Meyers writes and directs this transatlantic home-swap romantic comedy co-starring Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black. Diaz plays a Los Angeles trailer editor who trades houses with an English counterpart, leading to intersecting romances. The movie has become a seasonal favorite on streaming and television, supported by a widely loved score by Hans Zimmer. Its production design, dual-continent settings, and parallel character arcs define its enduring rewatch value.

‘Bad Teacher’ (2011) – Elizabeth Halsey

Jake Kasdan directs this raunchy comedy featuring Diaz as an unapologetically self-interested teacher, alongside Justin Timberlake and Jason Segel. The film delivered strong global box-office returns relative to its modest budget. Its premise follows a scheme-driven plot that collides standardized testing incentives with staff-room rivalries. The success led to related media and reinforced Diaz’s bankability in adult-skewing comedies.

‘Trippin” (2005) – Host

This MTV eco-travel series follows Diaz and guests as they visit biodiverse regions to spotlight conservation, sustainability, and local communities. Episodes mix travelogue footage with on-the-ground environmental education and interviews. The show aligned Diaz’s public persona with advocacy work around wildlife and habitat protection. Its format introduced younger audiences to eco-tourism concepts and the challenges facing fragile ecosystems.

Share your favorite Cameron Diaz role in the comments and tell us which performance you think deserves a spot on the list.