Rachel McAdams Honored With Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star

Rachel McAdams, the acclaimed Canadian actress whose career has spanned beloved teen comedies, Oscar-nominated dramas, and Broadway stages, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The ceremony, held at 6922 Hollywood Blvd. between Highland Avenue and Orange Drive near the El Capitan Theatre, marked a poignant moment in McAdams’ journey from small-town Canada to international stardom, and drew a crowd of family, friends, and industry luminaries.

McAdams, 47, became emotional as she accepted the honor, surrounded by her parents Lance and Sandra McAdams, her partner of nearly a decade Jamie Linden, and close colleagues. "When I was about 8 years old, growing up in tiny little St. Thomas, Canada, I wrote my parents a very desperate letter, asking them to figure out how to fulfill my greatest dream — to be on Ed McMahon’s 'Star Search'," McAdams recalled, according to the Associated Press. She continued, "They were of course incredibly supportive. I do want to freeze time for a second because you only get a few of these moments in life to thank you on a stage for everything. All of it. All of it is because of you and the love you gave us and the beautiful childhood you gave us, and for believing in me long before I could grasp how to believe in myself."

Also present at the ceremony were director Sam Raimi, who has twice directed McAdams, and actor Domhnall Gleeson, her co-star from the 2013 romantic sci-fi hit About Time. Dylan O'Brien, who stars alongside McAdams in her upcoming film Send Help, joined the celebration as well. The event was not just a personal milestone but also a professional one, coming only ten days before the release of Send Help, a psychological thriller directed by Raimi. In the film, McAdams plays Linda Liddle, a timid employee forced to confront her arrogant boss, Bradley Preston (O'Brien), when they become the only survivors of a plane crash on a deserted island. The movie, set for a January 30 release, promises a tense battle of wills and survival. An official logline describes it as: "Two colleagues become stranded on a deserted island, the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, but ultimately, it's a battle of wills and wits to make it out alive."

The star awarded to McAdams is the 2,833rd since the Walk of Fame’s completion in 1961, a testament to the enduring nature of Hollywood’s tradition of honoring its brightest talents. For McAdams, whose career began in humble circumstances, the accolade is a culmination of decades of work, risk-taking, and resilience. Born November 17, 1978, in London, Ontario, and raised in nearby St. Thomas, McAdams was involved in theater as a child before earning a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from York University in Toronto in 2001. Her early career included a television debut in the unaired MTV pilot Shotgun Love Dolls and a film debut in the Italian-Canadian comedy My Name Is Tanino that same year. Hollywood took notice when she appeared in the 2002 comedy The Hot Chick, but it was 2004’s Mean Girls and The Notebook that catapulted her to international fame.

McAdams’ filmography is as varied as it is impressive. She played the unforgettable "queen bee" Regina George in Mean Girls, the romantic lead Allie Hamilton in The Notebook, and the earnest Sacha Pfeiffer in Spotlight, a role that earned her a best supporting actress Oscar nomination in 2016. Other notable credits include Wedding Crashers, Midnight in Paris, Sherlock Holmes and its sequel, The Little Prince, Morning Glory, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and The Family Stone. On television, she starred in the second season of HBO’s acclaimed anthology series True Detective.

In recent years, McAdams has opted for a more selective approach to her work, balancing her career with motherhood and personal life. Her partner, Jamie Linden, a screenwriter and director known for We Are Marshall and Dear John, has been by her side since 2016. The couple share two children, a son born in 2018 and a daughter born in 2020, whose names and identities they have chosen to keep private. This Walk of Fame ceremony marked McAdams’ first major public appearance in 18 months; her previous public outing was at the 77th Annual Tony Awards in June 2024, where she was nominated for Best Actress in a Play for her Broadway debut in Mary Jane, portraying a mother caring for her chronically ill son.

Despite her success, McAdams remains candid about the challenges she faces. Speaking to Variety before the Walk of Fame ceremony, she reflected, "I try not to repeat myself. I try to do something that feels slightly out of reach, something I'm not sure I'll be good at because I think the most interesting work comes from that sweet spot." She also admitted to ongoing struggles with imposter syndrome, sharing an anecdote about working with the late Diane Keaton on The Family Stone: "I have great moments of self-doubt in every job. I was so surprised by that because she's so effortless and she gives so much to it. But I still don't feel like I have the art of acting figured out."

Her recent projects reflect this commitment to exploring new territory. After a cameo on Saturday Night Live in 2024 and a film appearance in 2023’s Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, Send Help marks her first major screen role in three years. The film, a departure from her earlier romantic and comedic roles, places McAdams in the midst of a psychological and physical struggle for survival, once again showcasing her range and willingness to embrace challenging material.

Sam Raimi, who directed McAdams both in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) and in Send Help, praised her ability to bring depth and authenticity to every role. Domhnall Gleeson, who shared the screen with her in About Time, was present to celebrate her achievements, highlighting the deep professional and personal relationships she has built throughout her career.

As the 2,833rd star was unveiled, fans and colleagues alike reflected on McAdams’ remarkable journey. From her early days in Ontario to the heights of Hollywood and Broadway, she has remained true to her roots while continually challenging herself as an artist. The Walk of Fame ceremony was not just a recognition of her past achievements, but also a celebration of her ongoing evolution as one of the most versatile and respected actors of her generation.

With Send Help set to hit theaters soon, Rachel McAdams stands poised for yet another memorable chapter in her career—one that, judging by her own words and choices, will be marked by risk, authenticity, and a refusal to stand still.