Rachel McAdams Receives Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star

On January 20, 2026, the heart of Hollywood pulsed with a little extra excitement as Rachel McAdams, the acclaimed Canadian actress known for her versatility and warmth on screen, was immortalized with her very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony, held at 6922 Hollywood Blvd. near the iconic El Capitan Theatre, marked a career milestone for McAdams—a moment that was as much about her journey as it was about the people who shaped it.

McAdams, whose filmography boasts hits like Mean Girls, The Notebook, Spotlight, and The Family Stone, was visibly moved as she took the stage. According to ABC News, she paid tribute to some of her most influential late co-stars, including Diane Keaton, Gena Rowlands, and Sam Shepard. "I'd like to thank the stars up above, down here," McAdams said, her voice thick with emotion. "The legendary working actors who I was given the great gift to learn from. The ones who are no longer with us. To name a few, pioneering Gena Rowlands, the prolific Sam Shepard and my beloved Diane Keaton, who took me under her wing like I was her own daughter."

It was clear that Keaton’s mentorship left a lasting impression. McAdams shared a nugget of advice from the Oscar-winning actress: "She taught me that no matter how long you've been doing this, you have to leave everything you've got on the table. Each performance, you must muster up as much love as you possibly can, and then you'll only feel like a dumb-dumb idiot half of the time in life." The crowd chuckled, but the sentiment rang true for anyone who’s ever pursued a craft with passion and vulnerability.

The ceremony also offered a rare glimpse into McAdams’ tightly guarded personal life. Her longtime partner, screenwriter Jamie Linden, was in attendance alongside their two young children—a 7-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter. The family’s presence was a significant departure from their usual privacy, underscoring the importance of the day. During her speech, McAdams addressed both Jamie and her sister Kayleen with heartfelt gratitude: "To Jamie my North Star, Kayleen my other North Star. Thank you for being such a great team. And keeping me quasi-normal." As reported by E! News, this public acknowledgment highlighted the crucial role her loved ones play in keeping her grounded amid the whirlwind of Hollywood.

McAdams’ parents were also front and center, and she made sure to freeze time—if only for a moment—to thank them for their unwavering support. Recalling her childhood in St. Thomas, Canada, she shared, “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.’ They were of course incredibly supportive.” She continued, "You only get a few of these moments in life to thank you on this stage for everything. 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."

Fellow actors and collaborators turned out in force to honor McAdams. Dylan O’Brien, her co-star in the upcoming psychological thriller Send Help, was among the attendees, as was Sam Raimi, the film’s director. Raimi, who also directed McAdams in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, praised her dedication and talent. Domhnall Gleeson, who shared the screen with McAdams in About Time, offered a particularly touching tribute: "Every word you utter seems profoundly true and connected, and I have witnessed that up close 13 years ago on 'About Time.' Rachel acted so convincingly at me, that for three full months, I believed I could travel through time. No matter the role, I always believe the characters you create. I empathize with all of them. You make me understand all of them, and in this way, you make everything better."

The timing of the ceremony was especially poignant, coming just ten days before the release of Send Help. In the film, McAdams plays an overlooked and undervalued employee who, alongside her arrogant new boss (played by O’Brien), survives a plane crash on a deserted island. The project is yet another testament to her range—her ability to inhabit characters across genres, from comedy to drama to psychological thriller.

McAdams’ journey to Hollywood stardom began far from the Boulevard’s bright lights. Born on November 17, 1978, in London, Ontario, she grew up in nearby St. Thomas, where she first fell in love with theater. She earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from York University in Toronto in 2001, making her television debut in the unaired MTV pilot Shotgun Love Dolls and her film debut in the Italian-Canadian comedy My Name Is Tanino. Her Hollywood breakthrough came with the 2002 comedy The Hot Chick, but it was 2004’s double punch—playing “queen bee” Regina George in Mean Girls and romantic lead Allie Hamilton in The Notebook—that catapulted her to international fame.

Since then, McAdams has built a career defined by both critical acclaim and popular appeal. Her performance in Spotlight earned her a best supporting actress Oscar nomination in 2016, and she’s graced screens in films like Wedding Crashers, Midnight in Paris, Sherlock Holmes, The Family Stone, and more. She also made her mark on television with a memorable turn in the second season of HBO’s True Detective. In 2024, she earned a Tony Award nomination for her Broadway debut in Mary Jane, playing a mother caring for her chronically ill son—a role that resonated with her own experiences of motherhood.

Despite her high-profile career, McAdams has remained fiercely protective of her family’s privacy. She’s been candid about the joys and challenges of motherhood, telling The Times in 2018, “It’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me, hands down. I waited a long time [for motherhood]... I was so happy to put the focus on some other person.” She’s also spoken about her decision to keep her children’s lives out of the spotlight, saying, “I’m having more fun being a mum than I’ve ever had. Everything about it is interesting and exciting and inspiring to me. Even the tough days—there’s something delightful about them.”

Her partnership with Jamie Linden, a screenwriter known for films like 10 Years and Dear John, has provided a creative and supportive anchor. “We live such a gypsy life as actors, so [it’s great] being with someone who can be on the road as well,” she once explained. Linden’s presence at the ceremony was a testament to their enduring bond and the quiet strength that has helped McAdams stay “quasi-normal,” as she put it, in an industry that can be anything but.

As the 2,833rd star since the Walk of Fame’s inception in 1961, Rachel McAdams’ plaque is more than a marker of celebrity—it’s a symbol of perseverance, gratitude, and genuine artistry. In a business that often prizes flash over substance, McAdams’ career and character offer a reminder that heart, humility, and hard work still matter.

Hollywood Boulevard may be paved with stars, but on this January day, it was Rachel McAdams’ light that shone brightest, celebrated by family, friends, and fans alike.