Rachel McAdams Gets Walk of Fame Star, Thanks Diane Keaton in Emotional Speech

Canadian actor Rachel McAdams was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, marking a major milestone in her more than 25-year-long acting career. The ceremony, held in Los Angeles, turned emotional as McAdams paid a heartfelt tribute to veteran actor Diane Keaton, crediting her for shaping her outlook toward acting and life.

Standing alongside family, friends and colleagues, McAdams reflected on her journey from a small-town upbringing in St. Thomas, Ontario, to becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected performers. She described the honour as both surreal and humbling, noting that her career was never driven by a desire for fame, but by a love for the craft.

‘She took me under her wing’

In her speech, McAdams spoke warmly about Diane Keaton’s influence, saying the Oscar-winning actor treated her “like a daughter” during an important phase of her career. McAdams recalled how Keaton encouraged her to approach every role with honesty, generosity and complete emotional commitment.

“She taught me that no matter how long you’ve been doing this, you have to leave everything you’ve got on the table,” McAdams said, adding that Keaton’s advice to lead with love has stayed with her throughout her career. The moment drew applause from the crowd, many of whom noted the rare public acknowledgement of mentorship in Hollywood.

Celebrating a career built on consistency

The Walk of Fame ceremony celebrated McAdams’ steady and enduring presence in cinema, rather than blockbuster dominance alone. Known globally for films like Mean Girls, The Notebook, Spotlight and About Time, McAdams has built a reputation for choosing layered characters over celebrity-driven roles.

Actor Domhnall Gleeson, who worked with her in About Time (2013), praised McAdams during the event, calling her a “phenomenal actor” whose performances feel deeply authentic and emotionally grounded. He said her ability to make characters universally relatable is what sets her apart.

Gratitude for family and early support

McAdams also used the moment to acknowledge her parents, who attended the ceremony. She credited them for supporting her ambitions from a young age, recalling how she once wrote to them asking for help to appear on the television talent show Star Search. Their encouragement, she said, allowed her to pursue acting seriously and fearlessly.

Her former acting coach, Jim Schaefer, echoed those sentiments, describing McAdams as disciplined and driven even in her early years. According to him, her commitment to the craft was evident long before fame followed.

‘I just wanted to be a working actor’

In one of the most striking moments of her speech, McAdams said she never chased stardom. “I didn’t actually need to be a star. What I needed to be was a working actor,” she said, explaining that longevity and meaningful work mattered more to her than celebrity status.

That philosophy appears to have paid off. The Walk of Fame honour comes during a significant phase of her career, following her Broadway debut in Mary Jane and ahead of several upcoming film projects.

A moment that reflects mentorship and craft

Rachel McAdams’ Walk of Fame ceremony stood out not just for the recognition, but for the values it highlighted — gratitude, mentorship and dedication to storytelling. Her tribute to Diane Keaton offered a rare glimpse into how guidance and kindness behind the scenes can shape careers that last.

As her star now joins the legendary boulevard in Los Angeles, McAdams’ journey serves as a reminder that success in cinema can be built quietly, thoughtfully, and with enduring respect for the art of acting.