Rachel Anne McAdams (born November 17, 1978) is a Canadian actress. After graduating from a theatre program at York University, Toronto in 2001, she worked steadily as an actress until finding fame in 2004 with starring roles in teen comedy Mean Girls and romantic drama The Notebook. In 2005, she appeared in romantic comedy Wedding Crashers, thriller Red Eye and family drama The Family Stone and was hailed by the media as “the next Julia Roberts”.However, she withdrew from public life in 2006 and 2007. During this time, she turned down leading roles in, amongst others, The Devil Wears Prada and Casino Royale.

Attended Original Kids Theatre Company in London, Ontario.
Her father, Lance, is a truck driver and her mother, Sandy, is a nurse. She has a younger sister, Kayleen McAdams, and a younger brother, Daniel.
Born in the same hospital as The Notebook (2004) co-star Ryan Gosling in St. Joseph’s Hospital, London, Ontario.
In 1995, she received an acting award for her role in the one-act high school play “I Live in a Little Town” when it was presented at the prestigious Ontario Showcase at the Sears Drama Festival.
Studied theater at York University in Toronto, where she appeared in numerous stage and student film productions. During her senior year, she played a child in “The Piper”, a workshop led by a creative team from Toronto’s Necessary Angel Theatre Company.
Worked at a McDonald’s for three summers with her sister, Kayleen McAdams, and her brother, Dan McAdams.
Was told to partly model the character of Regina George after Alec Baldwin’s performance in Glengarry Glen Ross (1992).
Received a record five MTV Movie Award nominations in a single year.
Graduated from York University in Toronto with honors & a B.F.A. in theater
Formerly a vegetarian.
She donated many signed head-shots to Rocky Stone to be auctioned off to raise money to buy more toys for less fortunate kids as part of the Toy Mountain Campaign.
Is of Irish descent.
Attended David Rothenberg’s on-camera acting class in Toronto with fellow actors Scott Speedman, Kenneth Mitchell, Polly Shannon and David Sutcliffe.
In December 2005, she was #1 on MuchMusic’s “Who To Do: 20 Sexiest Girls” list. This list is aired each year, and there is also a separate list for guys.
Ranked #14 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 Women of 2005 list.
Met her former boyfriend, Ryan Gosling, on the set of The Notebook (2004).
Ranked #17 on Maxim’s Hot 100 Women of 2006 list.
Was in consideration for the role of Sue Storm in Fantastic Four (2005), but Jessica Alba was cast instead.
Named #51 in FHM magazine’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006″ supplement. (2006).
While a student at York University, she lived in the same “house” as Ron Sparks in Vanier Residence.
Had to turn down the female lead in The Last Kiss (2006) due to scheduling conflicts. The role was eventually given to Jacinda Barrett.
Was considered for the role of Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale (2006), before the role was given to Eva Green.
She was voted the #101 on FHS’s list of Sexiest Women in the World (2005).
Is a vegetarian again.
Lives in the popular Los Angeles neighborhood of Silverlake. Other Silverlake locals include Beck, Bo Barrett, Christina Ricci, Jason Lee and Ryan Gosling.
Older sister of Kayleen McAdams.
Has been in a relationship with Ryan Gosling twice. They were originally together from June 2005 until July 2007 before reconciling in August 2008, only to separate a second time in November 2008.
Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#68). [2007].
Has a dog named George, which she shared with Ryan Gosling.
Has natural blonde hair.
She doesn’t own a car. As part of her daily contribution to help conserve energy, she rides her bike or takes the bus.
Co-founder of www.greenissexy.org, a website which helps raise awareness about the environment.
Was Jon Favreau’s first choice to play Pepper Potts in Iron Man (2008), but she turned the role down. Gwyneth Paltrow was subsequently cast instead.
Likes shopping at Vintage clothing stores.
Originally auditioned for the role of Cady in Mean Girls (2004), before being cast as Regina.
Avoided flying airplanes until age 22.
Auditioned for the role of Sophie for the musical Mamma Mia! (2008) but lost out to actress Amanda Seyfried. Seyfried had lost out to McAdams previously for the role of Regina when they both co-starred in Mean Girls (2004).
Her favorite actresses include: Joan Cusack, Juliette Lewis, Kate Winslet, Laura Dern, Renée Zellweger and Samantha Morton. She also considers Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn to be her role models.
She would love to work with Daniel Day-Lewis, James Franco and Sam Rockwell.
She is allergic to horses.
Learned to drive after a bike accident.
Learned to appreciate rugby from Russell Crowe.
Publicist has announced that Rachel does not have a Twitter account (August 2009).
Was in consideration for the role of Rachel Dawes in The Dark Knight (2008), but Maggie Gyllenhaal was cast instead.
Was in a relationship with Josh Lucas (January-August 2009).
Was in consideration for the role of Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby (2012), but Carey Mulligan was cast instead.
Ranked #48 in the 2010 FHM list of “100 Sexiest Women.” Previously she was ranked #50 in 2008 and #89 in 2006.
Ranked #15 in the 2007 Ask Men Australia top 99 “most desirable women” list.
In a relationship with Michael Sheen [May 21, 2011].
Ranked #35 on the Ask Men 2011 list of the Top 99 Most Desirable Women.
Ranked #63 in the 2011 FHM list of “100 Sexiest Women in the World”.
Ranked #47 in the 2011 FHM Australia list of “100 Sexiest Women in the World”.
Ranked #48 in the 2010 FHM UK list of “100 Sexiest Women in the World”.
Ranked as having one of the “Most Beautiful Famous Faces” by “The Annual Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Famous Faces From Around the World.” She was ranked #43 in 2010, #62 in 2009, #88 in 2008, #32 in 2007, and #47 in 2006.