On this day in 1972, actress Cameron Diaz is born in San Diego. The daughter of a Cuban father who worked for an oil company and a mother who was part Native American, Diaz’ blonde good looks and quirky comic timing made her a leading Hollywood star.

Diaz grew up in Long Beach, California. When Diaz was 16, a photographer discovered her at a party. He handed her his card and asked Diaz to have her parents call him. Before long, she was working for a top modeling agency and traveling around the world for photo shoots. She developed an interest in acting and auditioned for a part in The Mask, starring TV actor Jim Carrey. Although Diaz tried out for a small part as a reporter, she won the female lead role. The movie, released in 1994, was a smash hit. Diaz worked steadily after that, turning out hits including My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), in which she supported Julia Roberts’ lead role, and There’s Something About Mary (1998). For her role in Any Given Sunday (1999), she was reportedly paid $10 million, and even more for her part in Charlie’s Angels (2000). Diaz’s later work includes voicing the part of Princess Fiona in Shrek and Shrek 2 (2001 and 2004), Gangs of New York (2002) and In Her Shoes (2005).

(With thanks to History.com)