Rachel McAdams Then & Now: The Star of ‘The Notebook’ From Her Young Days to Today

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November 17, 2023 10:45AM EST
Rachel McAdams
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Rachel McAdams’ career exploded in the mid-2000s and hasn’t stopped since. See photos of her from her young days to now in honor of her birthday, here.

Rachel McAdams, born November 17, 1978, started her acting career in the 90s and hasn’t stopped impressing audiences since. After roles on Canadian television, the star had her breakout part as queen bee Regina George in Mean Girls. After that, she starred in The Notebook‘ with Ryan Gosling, making her an icon in romance genre.

Rachel’s star would only rise from there, appearing in Wedding Crashers, The Family Stone, Sherlock Holmes, Midnight In Paris, Game Night and more. She joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2016 with Doctor Strange, and reprised her role in the 2022 sequel.

Want to see more of Rachel McAdams, from her young days as an actress to her time as a full-blown star? Scroll through the gallery to see her evolution in photos here.

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‘The Hot Chick’

‘The Hot Chick’
Peter Iovino/Touchstone/Disney/K

Rachel McAdams’ first Hollywood film was ‘The Hot Chick’. Rachel (center left) appears with (from left to right) Anna Faris, Alexandra Holden, and Maritza Murray in a still from the movie.

May 5, 2022, 11:48AM
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‘Mean Girls’

‘Mean Girls’
Moviestore/Shutterstock

Rachel McAdams was Regina George in 2004’s ‘Mean Girls’. Though she played a high schooler in the movie, Rachel was 24 at the time. Here she’s seen with Lacey Chabert (center) and Amanda Seyfried (right).

May 5, 2022, 11:48AM
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‘The Notebook’

‘The Notebook’
Moviestore/Shutterstock

Love is real! Rachel McAdams was Allie in ‘The Notebook’, a 2004 romance based on the Nicolas Sparks novel.

May 5, 2022, 11:48AM
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Rachel McAdams at the Premiere of ‘Wedding Crashers’

Rachel McAdams at the Premiere of ‘Wedding Crashers’
Charles Sykes/Shutterstock

Rachel McAdams glows in blue during the premiere of ‘Wedding Crashers’ on Jul. 13, 2005 in New York. She wore her hair in a big, retro style.

May 5, 2022, 11:48AM
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Rachel McAdams at the 2007 SAG Awards

Rachel McAdams at the 2007 SAG Awards
Peter Brooker/Shutterstock

Rachel McAdams is totally mod in a little white and silver frock during the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in LA on Jan. 28, 2007. White heels, a silver clutch, and pink-tinted tresses completed the look.

May 5, 2022, 11:48AM
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Rachel McAdams in 2008

Rachel McAdams in 2008
Nils Jorgensen/Shutterstock

Rachel McAdams is so chic in white as she arrives for a London photocall for her film ‘Sherlock Holmes.’ Her strapless lace look was perfect for the Oct. 1, 2008 event.

May 5, 2022, 11:48AM
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Rachel McAdams at the Premiere of ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’

Rachel McAdams at the Premiere of ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’
Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

Rachel McAdams is the center of attention in a plunging white look during the 2009 premiere of ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ in New York on Aug. 12. ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Audrey Niffenegger. It follows the time transcending love story between Henry (Eric Bana) and his wife Clare (Rachel McAdams). Henry is a Chicago librarian with a gene that causes him to involuntarily time travel, leading him to disappear for long periods of time and causing complications for his marriage. Brad Pitt is one of the producers of the film.

May 5, 2022, 11:48AM
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Rachel McAdams at the 2010 Oscars

Rachel McAdams at the 2010 Oscars
Unimedia/Shutterstock

Rachel McAdams stuns in a watercolor-hued dress during the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, on Mar. 7, 2010. The gown was a wash of blue, grey, green, and purple with a gathered, heart-shaped bust.

May 5, 2022, 11:47AM
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Rachel McAdams at a Photocall for ‘Midnight In Paris’

Rachel McAdams at a Photocall for ‘Midnight In Paris’
Agf/Shutterstock

Rachel McAdams stun in white during a photocall for Woody Allen’s ‘Midnight in Paris’ at Cannes Film Festival on May 11, 2011. Her dress featured cream-colored rose appliques on the shoulders and hips.

May 5, 2022, 11:47AM
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Rachel McAdams at the Premiere of ‘Journey 2’

Rachel McAdams at the Premiere of ‘Journey 2’
Picture Perfect/Shutterstock

Rachel McAdams is beautiful in blue during the premiere of ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’. She teamed a sheer tee shirt and silky floral skirt together for the Feb. 2, 2012 screening.

May 5, 2022, 11:47AM
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Rachel McAdams at the ‘About Time’ Premiere

Rachel McAdams at the ‘About Time’ Premiere
Joanne Davidson/Shutterstock

Rachel McAdams stuns at the premiere of ‘About Time’ on Aug. 8, 2013. Her long off-white frock featured a bright violet and turquoise stripe down the back.

May 5, 2022, 11:47AM
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Rachel McAdams at the 2014 Met Gala

Rachel McAdams at the 2014 Met Gala
Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Rachel McAdams stuns in a pale pink number during the 2014 Met Gala on May 5 of that year. That year’s Costume Institute Gala was in celebration of the ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

May 5, 2022, 11:47AM
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Rachel McAdams at the Premiere of ‘Southpaw’

Rachel McAdams at the Premiere of ‘Southpaw’
Gregory Pace/BEI/Shutterstock

Rachel McAdams is chic in a black dress with an ab-baring cut-out during the premiere of ‘Southpaw’ on Jul. 20, 2015. Her blonde bob was effortlessly chic.

May 5, 2022, 11:47AM
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Rachel McAdams at the London Premiere of ‘Doctor Strange’

Rachel McAdams at the London Premiere of ‘Doctor Strange’
Joanne Davidson/Shutterstock

Rachel McAdams stuns in a blue and silver embroidered gown during the London premiere of ‘Doctor Strange’ on Oct. 24, 2016. at the Red Carpet Launch of the Latest Marvel Comic Book ‘doctor Strange’ in London On the 24th October 2016.

May 5, 2022, 11:47AM
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Rachel McAdams at a Screening of ‘Disobedience’

Rachel McAdams at a Screening of ‘Disobedience’
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutte

Rachel McAdams is cute in a sherr black and white number with ruffles during a Tribeca Film Festival screening of the film ‘Disobedience’ on Apr. 24, 2018. Her plunging look had a strap across the center.

May 5, 2022, 11:47AM
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‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’

‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’
John Wilson/Netflix/Kobal/Shutte

Sing-along time! Rachel McAdams was very cheeky in the comedy ‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’ opposite Will Ferrell.

May 5, 2022, 11:47AM
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Rachel McAdams at the Premiere of ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

Rachel McAdams at the Premiere of ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutt

Rachel McAdams is radiant in faded yellow during the red carpet premiere of ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ on May 2, 2022. Her sparkling dress brought the drama by teaming up with a sheer, flowing cape.

May 5, 2022, 11:47AM
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Rachel McAdams at the Premiere of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

Rachel McAdams at the Premiere of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shut

Rachel McAdams makes a surprise appearance at the premiere of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ held at the USS Midway Naval Museum in San Diego, California on on May 4, 2022. She wore a figure-hugging black dress with a high neck and slit up the side.

May 5, 2022, 11:47AM