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The Notebook Girl
Background:
Canadian born actress Rachel McAdams had her breakthrough moment after
portraying Ryan Gosling's love interest, Allie, in the romantic drama The
Notebook (2004). Previously, she was cast as Regina George in the smash hit Mean
Girls (2004). Rachel's brilliant portrayal in the films handed her MTV 2005
Movie Award nominations.
On stage, Rachel's performance also captured public attention. She received the
Ontario Showcase Award for her role in Live in a Little Town when it was
presented at the Sears Drama Festival.
Off screen, blonde, slim and good-looking, Rachel was rumored to have had a
romantic relationship with actor Ryan Gosling while filming The Notebook.
Neither actor verified the rumor.
Competitive Skater
Childhood and Family:
The first daughter of truck driver Lance and nurse Sandy, Rachel McAdams was
born on October 7, 1976. Along with her younger brother Daniel and sister
Kayleen, Rachel was raised in a small town near London, Ontario, Canada.
Rachel was fond of skating. She joined numerous skating competitions and
continued the activity until high school. Finding an interest in acting, Rachel
attended the Original Kids Theatre Company in Ontario. She then took a drama
program at York University, Canada, graduated with honors, and earned a B.F.A in
Theatre.
Mean Girls' Villain
Career:
Before Rachel McAdams appeared on screen, she acted on stage. She performed in
Shakespearean productions at a theater camp when she was thirteen. While
studying at college, she continued to act in many stage and student film
productions, one of which was The Piper (1995) with Toronto's Necessary Angel
Theatre Company. She won an Ontario Showcase Award for her stage performance in
Live in a Little Town when it was presented at the Sears Drama Festival.
In 1998, Rachel made her on-screen debut after being cast as a victim of bulimia
in the Disney series The Famous Jett Jackson (1998). Her role helped cast her in
Shotgun Love Dolls (2001, TV) and Guilt by Association (2002, TV). Rachel landed
her first wide screen role as Sally Garfield in the teen drama My Name Is Tanino
(2002, helmed by Paolo Virzi). The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in
2002.
That same year, the young starlet also starred in Perfect Pie, playing the role
of fifteen-year-old Pasty. Her performance in the film brought her a Genie Award
nomination. In her next film, The Hot Chick (2002), Rachel portrayed well-liked
and egoistic cheerleader Jessica Spencer, who finds herself sleeping with a
mature man. She co-starred with Rob Schneider in the film. In 2003, Rachel went
back to the small screen. She played the role of Kate McNab in television's 2003
series Slings and Arrows.
Rachel's breakout role was that of Regina George in the blockbuster Mean Girls
(2004). She starred opposite Lindsay Lohan and Tina Fey. Her performance in the
film handed her MTV 2005 Movie Award nominations for Best On Screen Team (with
Lindsay, Lacey and Amanda), Best Villain, and Breakthrough Female.
Adding to her success, Rachel starred in the romantic drama The Notebook (2004),
a movie based on Nicholas Sparks' best-selling novel. She played the role of
Allie, who separates from her teen love (Ryan Gosling), but is later reunited
with him after World War II. Rachel's outstanding performance in the film
brought her another MTV Movie Award nomination (2005), this time for Best Female
Performance and Best Kiss (with Ryan). The film also starred Gena Rowlands, Sam
Shepard, Joan Allen, James Garner and James Marsden.
Recently, Rachel could be seen in The Wedding Crashers (2005, played Claire
Cleary) along with Owen Wilson & Vince Vaughn, and in the drama/thriller Red-Eye
(2005, as Lisa Reisert). She will also portray Amy Stone in the forthcoming
comedy, The Family Stone, alongside Diane Keaton, Luke Wilson, and Clare Danes.
Awards:
