Rachel McAdams can officially add Hollywood Walk of Fame star to her already stacked résumé — and honestly, it’s about time.
The beloved actress, whose career spans more than two decades of instantly iconic roles, was honored during an emotional ceremony in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The star unveiling took place just blocks from the Pantages Theatre, where a musical adaptation of The Notebook is currently playing — a full-circle moment for one of McAdams’ most defining films.
But the celebration came with a hilarious twist, courtesy of one of her most beloved costars. About Time actor Domhnall Gleeson took the stage to deliver a speech that had the crowd laughing — and tearing up — when he jokingly claimed McAdams doesn’t actually “deserve” the honor.
“Pretty sure that anybody who’s worked with Rachel McAdams, were they standing here today, would essentially be saying the same thing that I’m about to, which is that, Rachel, I don’t think you deserve this,” Domhnall joked, before explaining why. “Life — and more importantly, Hollywood — has taught me that you are not supposed to have it all.”
He went on to praise McAdams for being “everyone’s favorite person on set and the best actor in the room,” while also balancing life as a devoted mom of two. “It is selfish of you to be a devoted mother of two, putting family above all else, and a huge movie star, continually knocking it outta the park, commercially and artistically,” he said.
The tongue-in-cheek speech perfectly captured why McAdams has remained one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars since the early 2000s. From iconic teen comedies to prestige dramas and unforgettable romances, her résumé speaks for itself — even if her costar insists she’s simply “too perfect.”
McAdams first cemented her place in pop culture as Regina George in 2004’s Mean Girls, delivering a performance so sharp and viciously funny that the character became a cultural touchstone. That same year, she starred opposite Ryan Gosling in The Notebook, playing Allie Hamilton in the sweeping romance that would go on to define a generation of love stories.
Her talent extends far beyond rom-com royalty. In 2015’s Spotlight, McAdams earned an Academy Award nomination for her understated yet powerful portrayal of journalist Sacha Pfeiffer, proving her strength in ensemble-driven, real-world storytelling.
She also showcased her versatility in Midnight in Paris, grounding the film’s whimsical fantasy with emotional realism, and in About Time, where she starred as Mary in the beloved romance that blended love with gentle science fiction. Rather than focusing on spectacle, the film reflected on life’s fleeting, ordinary moments — with McAdams bringing warmth, sincerity and heart to every scene.
So while Domhnall Gleeson may jokingly insist Rachel McAdams doesn’t “deserve” her star, Hollywood — and fans everywhere — clearly disagree. After two decades of iconic performances and universal goodwill, the honor feels not just earned, but long overdue. Again — it’s about time!
