Rachel McAdams was raised in St. Thomas, Ontario. Starting at the age of four, she competed in figure skating. By the age of 13, she was performing in Shakespearean productions in summer theater camp.

In high school, McAdams intended to apply to college to study cultural studies, because studying theater would be "a bit of a joke". At the last minute, a drama teacher encouraged her to audition to be a drama major. She eventually majored in theater at York University and graduated with honors and a B.F.A. degree.

She began her professional on-screen career with an appearance on the Disney series The Famous Jett Jackson followed by a pilot for MTV. After a few more films, she hit it big after her appearance in the hits Mean Girls and The Notebook.
Red Eye (2005): $1,000,000
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 and younger brother, Daniel. Born in the same hospital as The Notebook 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 McDonalds for 3 summers. Was told to partly model the character of Regina George after Alec Baldwin's performance in Glengarry Glen Ross. 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. Named #14 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2005 list. Met her boyfriend, Ryan Gosling, on the set of The Notebook. Ranked #17 on Maxim's hot list 2006. Considered for the role of Susan Storm/Invisible Girl in Fantastic Four. 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 due to scheduling conflicts. The role was eventually given to Jacinda Barrett. Was considered for the role of Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale, 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. Sister is Kayleen McAdams. Split with Ryan Gosling. [Mid-2007] 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 naturally blond hair.