Rachel McAdams Birthday & Age: Partner Jamie Linden, Children & Movies Timeline
From queen bee Regina George in Mean Girls to Allie in The Notebook, Rachel McAdams has played some of the most quoted characters of the 2000s. The Canadian actress was born on November 17, 1978, in London, Ontario, and is 47 years old. In 2026 she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
| Full Name | Rachel Anne McAdams |
|---|---|
| Known For | Mean Girls, The Notebook, Spotlight, About Time |
| Profession | Actor |
| Birthday | November 17, 1978 |
| Age | 47 years old |
| Birthplace | London, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian (🇨🇦 Canada) |
| Zodiac Sign | ♏ Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21) |
| Chinese Zodiac | Earth Horse |
| Birthstone | Topaz |
| Birth Flower | Chrysanthemum |
| Generation | Generation X |
| Born on a | Friday |
| Boyfriend | Jamie Linden (since 2016) |
| Children | 1 son, 1 daughter |
| Parents | Sandra McAdams, Lance McAdams |
| Siblings | 1 younger sister, 1 younger brother |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Education | York University (BFA Theatre, 2001) |
| Honours | Hollywood Walk of Fame star (2026) |
Growing Up in Ontario
Rachel Anne McAdams is the eldest of three children of Sandra, a nurse, and Lance McAdams, a truck driver. She grew up in St. Thomas, Ontario, with a younger sister, who works as a make-up artist, and a younger brother, a personal trainer.
Before acting, she was a serious figure skater. She started at age four and competed until she was 18, winning regional awards, and has said skating taught her discipline that later helped on set. She went on to earn a BFA in theatre from York University in Toronto in 2001.
👉 More birthdays on November 17: Famous Birthdays on November 17
Movies Timeline
| Year | Film / Show | Role or Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | The Hot Chick | Hollywood film debut |
| 2004 | Mean Girls | Regina George |
| 2004 | The Notebook | Allie Hamilton |
| 2005 | Wedding Crashers, Red Eye, The Family Stone | Named Hollywood’s new “it girl” |
| 2009 | The Time Traveler’s Wife, Sherlock Holmes | Return after a short break |
| 2011 | Midnight in Paris | Woody Allen comedy |
| 2012–2013 | The Vow, About Time | Romantic hits |
| 2015 | True Detective (season 2) | Critics’ Choice nomination |
| 2015 | Spotlight | Oscar nomination; SAG Award with the cast |
| 2016 & 2022 | Doctor Strange films | Christine Palmer |
| 2018 | Game Night | Comedy lead |
| 2020 | Eurovision Song Contest | Netflix musical comedy |
| 2023 | Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. | Praised as Barbara |
| 2024 | Mary Jane (Broadway) | Tony nomination |
| 2026 | Send Help | Horror-thriller |
Partner Jamie Linden and Children
McAdams has been in a relationship with American screenwriter Jamie Linden since 2016. The couple have two children: a son born in 2018 and a daughter born in 2020. She is famously private and rarely discusses her family in interviews. Earlier, she dated her The Notebook co-star Ryan Gosling from 2005 to 2008.
| Family member | Relation |
|---|---|
| Jamie Linden | Partner (since 2016) |
| Son | Born 2018 |
| Daughter | Born 2020 |
| Sandra McAdams | Mother, nurse |
| Lance McAdams | Father, truck driver |
Awards and Honours
- Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress (Spotlight)
- Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play (Mary Jane)
- BAFTA Rising Star nomination
- Screen Actors Guild Award, Critics’ Choice and Independent Spirit awards as part of the Spotlight ensemble
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2026)
Fun Facts
- Her films as a leading actress have grossed over $3.4 billion worldwide.
- She turned down a chance to train in pair skating in Toronto at age nine.
- She played the same Doctor Strange character in two Marvel films.
- On her next birthday she turns 48.
👉 What else is celebrated on November 17? November 17 Holidays and Observances
Frequently Asked Questions
Rachel McAdams was born on November 17, 1978, so she is 47 years old.
She is not publicly married. She has been in a relationship with screenwriter Jamie Linden since 2016, and they have two children.
She was born in London, Ontario, Canada, and grew up in St. Thomas, Ontario.
Yes. The Notebook co-stars dated from 2005 to 2008.
Mean Girls, The Notebook, Wedding Crashers, About Time, Spotlight and Doctor Strange are among her best known.
Celebrate more on November 17: Rachel McAdams shares a birthday with International Students’ Day, National Entrepreneurs' Day, National Hiking Day, National Homemade Bread Day. See everything celebrated on November 17 →
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