Rachel McAdams
Biography
Rachel Anne McAdams is a Canadian actress born on November 17, 1978, in London, Ontario. She was raised in St. Thomas, Ontario, and is the daughter of Sandra Kay, a nurse, and Lance Frederick McAdams, a truck driver and furniture mover. McAdams is of English, Welsh, Irish, and Scottish descent. She pursued formal training at York University, graduating in 2001 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her work in film, television, and theater. Her professional accolades include nominations for an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Tony Award. In 2026, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Career overview
McAdams began her Hollywood film career with a role in the 2002 comedy The Hot Chick. She achieved widespread recognition in 2004 for her portrayal of the character Regina George in the comedy Mean Girls and for her role in the romantic drama The Notebook. These performances established her as a prominent leading actress, and her filmography has since contributed to over 3.4 billion dollars in worldwide box office earnings. Her career is noted for its versatility across various genres, including comedy and drama.
Over the following years, McAdams appeared in a variety of notable projects, including The Time Traveler's Wife, Sherlock Holmes, The Vow, and Spotlight. Her work has earned her industry recognition, such as a nomination for the Orange Rising Star Award in 2006. With 59 known acting credits, she remains a significant figure in the entertainment industry, having built a body of work that spans multiple decades and diverse storytelling formats.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Send Help (2026) as Linda Liddle
- Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023) as Barbara Simon
- Harrison Ford: Hollywood Hero (2023) as Self
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) as Dr. Christine Palmer
- Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) as Self - Dr. Christine Palmer
- What If...? (2021) as Christine Palmer (voice)
- Marvel Studios Legends (2021) as Dr. Christine Palmer (archive footage) (uncredited)
- DAVE (2020) as Rachel McAdams
- Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020) as Sigrit Ericksdottir
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- Explained (2018) as Narrator (voice)
- Game Night (2018) as Annie
- Disobedience (2018) as Esti Kuperman
- Doctor Strange (2016) as Dr. Christine Palmer
- Sonic Sea (2016) as Narrator (voice)
- Southpaw (2015) as Maureen Hope
- Spotlight (2015) as Sacha Pfeiffer
- The Little Prince (2015) as The Mother (voice)
- Aloha (2015) as Tracy Woodside
- Every Thing Will Be Fine (2015) as Sara
- The Making of A Most Wanted Man (2015) as Self
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self
- True Detective (2014) as Antigone 'Ani' Bezzerides
- A Most Wanted Man (2014) as Annabel Richter
- About Time (2013) as Mary
- To the Wonder (2013) as Jane
- Passion (2013) as Christine Stanford
- The Vow (2012) as Paige Collins
- Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) as Irene Adler
- Midnight in Paris (2011) as Inez
- Who Do You Think You Are? (2010) as Self
- Morning Glory (2010) as Becky Fuller
- Sherlock Holmes: Reinvented (2010) as Self
- Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2009) as Self
- Sherlock Holmes (2009) as Irene Adler
- The Time Traveler's Wife (2009) as Clare Abshire
- State of Play (2009) as Della Frye
- Married Life (2008) as Kay Nesbitt
- The Lucky Ones (2008) as Colee Dunn
- The Graham Norton Show (2007) as Self
- Wedding Crashers (2005) as Claire Cleary
- Red Eye (2005) as Lisa Reisert
- The Family Stone (2005) as Amy Stone
- The Notebook (2004) as Allie Hamilton
- Mean Girls (2004) as Regina George
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self
- Slings & Arrows (2003) as Kate McNab
- My Name Is Tanino (2003) as Sally Garfield
- The Hot Chick (2002) as Jessica
- Guilt by Association (2002) as Danielle Mason
- Perfect Pie (2002) as Patsy at 15
- Earth: Final Conflict (1997) as Christine Bickwell
- Access Hollywood (1996) as Self
- MTV Movie & TV Awards (1992) as Self
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- The Oscars (1953) as Self - Presenter
- 2034
- BARRE VALE ♡ Actor's Assistant