Cameron Diaz says she would be ‘a fool’ to stay retired from acting

For 20 consecutive years, Cameron Diaz was a Hollywood staple.

From his debut in 1994’s “The Mask” to his last appearance in 2014’s “Annie,” Díaz appeared in at least one film per year. But despite the success of her decades-long career, the 52-year-old recently said the best years of her life came after she left movies.

In an appearance in The Graham Norton Show While promoting his return to the big screen after a decade-long “retirement,” the “Charlie’s Angels” star said stepping away from his showbiz career was the best decision he could have made.

“I loved it. It was the best 10 years of my life,” Diaz said. “I was just free to say, ‘I’m a mother, I’m a wife, I’m living my life.'”

He said when he began his retirement he would still receive offers for positions. But after constantly turning them down, “people stopped asking.”

“It was so lovely,” she said. Díaz dedicated her free time to acting, raising children, writing a book, and launching a wine company.

Díaz, who received a reported $45 million from Netflix to star in two films, said that after 10 years returning to acting “made sense” for his family. On top of that, the “Shrek” actress said she wanted to take advantage of the privilege of starring in movies.

“I just thought… if I don’t get back into it and give it a chance and participate and be grateful for it, I’d be a fool,” she said.

Still, Diaz doesn’t promise another series of 20-year films. Its next projects are currently scheduled for 2025 and 2026.

“This is maybe the beginning, maybe I’ll tiptoe in. Maybe I’ll become enthusiastic. I don’t know,” he said. “But it’s here and I’m very grateful for it.”

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