Low-key lifestyle is 'everything' for Rachel McAdams

Keeping some distance from Hollywood has been the magic behind Rachel McAdams's success.

The London, Ont.-born actress iscurrentlypromoting herbig budget superheromovie, Marvel's Doctor Strangewith Sherlock star BenedictCumberbatch, but she'd bequick to tell you she draws her power from keeping her feet on the ground.

"That's kind of everything for me and for my sanity," she told CBC's Eli Glasner. "It helps me be better in my work to just step away from [Hollywood]."

Rachel McAdams on finding balance

8 years ago

Duration 2:22

The star of Marvel's Doctor Strange describes how staying out of the spotlight makes her a better actress.

Doctor Strange sees McAdams play foil to the titular, mystical surgeon. And while taking a role in a superhero flick might seem like a departure (her most recent role as a pedophile-hunting reporter in Spotlight earned her an Academy Award nomination), it is evidence of the balance the actress seeks in everyday life.

International fame

McAdams'sinternational fame took off after her portrayal of the fabulously evil high school tyrant Regina George in 2004'sMean Girls.

In the 13 years since, she has built an impressive career,complete with anOscar nominationand Hollywood romances.

Despite her achievements, McAdams famously lives a low-key lifestyle in Toronto. She is sometimes spotted tooling around town on her bicycle.

For McAdams, who took a two-year hiatus from acting after pulling off atrio of blockbusters(Mean Girls,The Notebook and The Wedding Crashers),it's about staying plugged into real life.

• Real Spotlight reporter on how Rachel McAdams got in her head

"I feel like as an actor, if you're always working, you're never experiencing," she says. "I like to really get out there and experience life, and travel and see the world, and then put that on the screen."

Fans can see her on the big screen whenDoctor Strangeopens in theatres Nov. 4.

Watch Eli Glasner's interview with Rachel McAdams in the video above.