Cameron Diaz Reflects on Acting Comeback and Jamie Foxx’s Influence on The Graham Norton Show

Cameron Diaz has officially made her long-awaited return to acting after a decade-long break.

The 52-year-old actress discussed her comeback during the January 17 episode of The Graham Norton Show, where she appeared alongside her Back in Action co-star Jamie Foxx.

Reflecting on her decision to reenter Hollywood, Diaz credited Foxx for encouraging her to take the leap.

“I am back all thanks to Jamie,” Diaz revealed on the show. “I had 10 years of not paying attention to anything; not accepting any advances, and then I got this script and thought that maybe it was time.”

She added, “If I was going to leave my family for 10 hours a day, I wanted to do it with the most talented man in the entertainment business.”

Grateful for Another Chance

Diaz expressed her gratitude for having the opportunity to return to films after such a long hiatus.

“It is a privilege to make films, and we are all so lucky to do what we do,” she said. “That the door was even open for me after a decade was amazing.”

Speaking about her 10-year break, Diaz explained, “I loved those 10 years for me and my family, but I thought, ‘If I let this go away, if I don’t engage again, and if I don’t give it a chance, I am a fool.’”

While discussing her future in Hollywood, Diaz remained noncommittal. In a recent interview with Empire magazine, she said, “I don’t know how I view it. It’s hard to say. If I say it, then it becomes this thing. I reserve the right to say no to doing a movie ever again, and I reserve the right to say yes if I decide to.”

A Decade Away from the Spotlight

Cameron Diaz’s last acting credit was in 2014’s Annie, where she also worked with Jamie Foxx.

After stepping away from acting, Diaz focused on raising her family with husband Benji Madden, guitarist of the band Good Charlotte. The couple shares two children, daughter Raddix, 5, and son Cardinal, 11 months.

Diaz had previously spoken about her decision to leave Hollywood, telling Kevin Hart on his Hart to Heart talk show in 2021, “I realized around age 40 that there were so many parts of my life that I wasn’t touching or managing. I just really wanted to make my life manageable by me.” During her hiatus, Diaz dedicated herself to her family and her wine company, Avaline.

“That was what I was putting most of my focus on,” she explained. “If I was doing anything other than just sort of being a mom and living my day-to-day, it was pretty much focused on Avaline.”

The Comeback with Back in Action

Back in Action marks Diaz’s return to the big screen. The Netflix film, which will be available to stream on January 17, features Diaz and Foxx as former CIA spies Emily and Matt.

Forced out of retirement after their covert identities are exposed, the duo embarks on one last mission. The film reunites the pair, who previously worked together on Any Given Sunday (1999) and Annie (2014).

While the film has a family-friendly tone, critics note it lacks opportunities for Diaz and Foxx to showcase their comedic talents fully.

However, their chemistry and timing give the movie its charm. “Even if Back in Action is generally tame and bland, you can’t hold that against its stars,” said one reviewer. “Their off-the-cuff casualness gives the movie whatever breeziness it’s got.”

Reflecting on a Stellar Career

Cameron Diaz’s return has reignited interest in her career, spanning over two decades.

From her breakout role in The Mask (1994) to iconic performances in There’s Something About Mary and Charlie’s Angels, Diaz has proven her versatility and charm on screen.

She also delivered memorable dramatic performances in films like Vanilla Sky and In Her Shoes.

Despite stepping away from acting at the height of her career, Diaz’s body of work continues to resonate with audiences. Her comeback may mark a new chapter, but she remains cautious about committing to future projects.

“It might be the beginning of something, but it’s here now, and I am grateful for it,” Diaz said about her return.

A Special Bond with Jamie Foxx

Foxx played an instrumental role in convincing Diaz to return. In a behind-the-scenes interview, he shared how he persuaded her by promising fun.

“We miss special moments sometimes in our business, and I think this is a special moment,” Foxx said. “So we’re so happy it’s happening and looking forward to it.”