Cameron Diaz has opened up on her decision to quit Hollywood, saying the move brought her “peace”.

The star is known for films including There’s Something About Mary, Charlie’s Angels and The Holiday, but hasn’t appeared on the big screen since the 2014 adaptation of Annie. 

Speaking to Gwyneth Paltrow for the latest episode of the In Goop Health: The Sessions series, Cameron said she had found years of working and being in the public eye “intense”. 

After Gwyneth asked her what if felt like to “walk away from a movie career of that magnitude”, Cameron said: “A peace. I got a peace in my soul, because I finally was taking care of myself.”

The Shrek star continued: “It’s a strange thing to say, I know a lot of people won’t understand it, I know you understand it, but it’s so intense to work at that level and be that public and put yourself out there.

“There’s a lot of energy coming at you at all times when you’re really visible as an actor and doing press and putting yourself out there.”

Cameron, who made her film debut as a 21-year-old opposite Jim Carrey in 1994 comedy The Mask, described her intense schedule as a “grind” and said it meant she was unable to make any time for her personal life.

The pressure of being responsible for multi-million dollar films could be “overwhelming” she said, explaining she wanted to become self-sufficient after years of having even basic tasks done for her on set.

“I stopped and really looked at my life,” she said. “When you’re making a movie, they own you. You’re there for 12 hours a day for months on end, you have no time for anything else.”

Cameron confirmed her retirement from acting in 2018. However, speaking in April, she did not rule out a return and said: “I’m never gonna say never, because I’m not a person who says never about anything.”