Cameron Diaz: 5 Awesome Performances and 5 That Sucked

4. The Mask (1994)

Playing Tina Carlyle, a smouldering moll to the films central villain, gangster Dorian Tyrel, Diaz stunned everybody by debuting as if from nowhere with a turn that felt surprisingly veteran for an actress who was ultimately so green to the profession. Make no mistake, The Mask was the role for Cameron Diaz, the moment in her career at which success was all but secured thanks not only to those smouldering good looks but to the natural skill she so clearly displayed. A fantastic debut performance all told; better than most Hollywood new arrivals could even begin to hope for.