X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Rachel McAdams Biography

Birth Name:Rachel McAdams

Birth Place:London, Ontario, Canada

Profession Actress, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • An avid environmentalist, she launched an eco-focused website GreenIsSexy․org in 2007
  • Received a performance award at the Sears Ontario Drama Festival in 1995
  • Received the American Riviera Award at the 2016 Santa Barbara Interntional Film Festival
  • Was inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2014
  • Graduated from York University in 2001 with a degree in theatre
  • Trained as a competitive figure skater before giving up the sport to pursue acting
  • As a child, she would spend her summers attending Disney and Shakespeare camps
  • Quote: "I've discovered as I've grown up that life is far more complicated than you think it is when you're a kid․ It isn't just a straightforward fairytale․"
  • Frequently portrays opinionated characters
  • Turned down the lead role in "The Devil Wears Prada․"
  • Turned down the role to portray Pepper Potts in "Iron Man․"
  • Modeled her character Regina George on "Mean Girls" after Alec Baldwin's performance in "Glengarry Glen Ross․"
  • Was in contention for the role of Sue Storm in "Fantastic Four․"

Awards

  • 2003Genie-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2004Gemini-Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series: winner
  • 2004Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actress - Comedy: nominated
  • 2004Teen Choice Award-Choice Breakout Movie Star - Female: nominated
  • 2004Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Sleazebag: nominated
  • 2004Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Blush: nominated
  • 2004Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Hissy Fit: nominated
  • 2005Gold Derby Film Award-Breakthrough Performance: nominated
  • 2005Golden Schmoes-Best Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2005Hollywood Breakthrough Award-Breakthrough Actress: winner
  • 2005MTV Movie Award-Best Female Performance: nominated
  • 2005MTV Movie Award-Breakthrough Female: winner
  • 2005MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: winner
  • 2005MTV Movie Award-Best Villain: nominated
  • 2005MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Team: winner
  • 2005Satellite Award-Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actress: Drama: winner
  • 2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Love Scene: winner
  • 2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Liplock: winner
  • 2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Chemistry: winner
  • 2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Dance Scene: nominated
  • 2006Saturn Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2006Gemini-Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role Dramatic Series: nominated
  • 2006MTV Movie Award-Best Performance: nominated
  • 2006Teen Choice Award-Movies - Choice Liplock: nominated
  • 2006Teen Choice Award-Movies - Choice Actress: Comedy: winner
  • 2006Teen Choice Award-Movie - Choice Scream: nominated
  • 2010Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2010Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actress: Action Adventure: winner
  • 2010Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actress: Sci-Fi: nominated
  • 2011PFCS Award-Best Ensemble Acting: nominated
  • 2011Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2012Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2012MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: nominated
  • 2012Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actress: Romance: nominated
  • 2012Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actress: Drama: nominated
  • 2012Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Liplock: nominated
  • 2013People's Choice Award-Favorite On-Screen Chemistry: nominated
  • 2013Rembrandt Award-Best International Actress (Beste Buitenlandse Actrice): nominated
  • 2015ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: winner
  • 2015ACCA-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2015Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2015Special Gotham Jury Award-Best Ensemble Performance: winner
  • 2015NFCS Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2015PFCS Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2016Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2016Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2016Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2016ACCA TV-Best Actress in a TV Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2016COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2016Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2016Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: nominated
  • 2016DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2016Robert Altman Award-: winner
  • 2016Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2016NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2016OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2016Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2017BTVA Special/DVD Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short: winner
  • 2017BTVA Special/DVD Voice Acting Award-Best Female Vocal Performance in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short: nominated
  • 2017HFCS Award-Best Vocal/Motion Capture Performance: nominated
  • 2017Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actress: Fantasy: nominated
  • 2018British Independent Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018Halfway Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2018Halfway Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2018WFCC Award-Best Screen Couple: nominated
  • 2019Apolo Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2019CinEuphoria-Best Supporting Actress - International Competition: nominated
  • 2019CinEuphoria-Best Duo - International Competition: nominated
  • 2019Critics Choice Award-Best Actress in a Comedy: nominated
  • 2020IFJA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2023CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2023FFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2023Gotham Independent Film Award-Outstanding Supporting Performance: nominated
  • 2023GWNYFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2023HCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2023IFJA Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
  • 2023Sierra Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2023LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Performance: winner
  • 2023MMCG Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2023NTFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2023OAFFC Award-Best Supporting Female: nominated
  • 2023PCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2023SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2023SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2023FCA Award-Supporting Actress of the Year: winner
  • 2024Astra Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024Astra TV Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2024AFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024Windie-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024CinEuphoria-Best Supporting Actress - International Competition: nominated
  • 2024DFCS Award-Best Supporting Performance by an Actor, Female: nominated
  • 2024DFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2024Dorian Award-Supporting Film Performance of the Year: nominated
  • 2024GAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024LEJA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024MNFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024MCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024OFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024PCA Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2024SFBAFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024SFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024UFCA Award-Best Supporting Performance, Female: nominated