Having rediscovered happiness, Jennifer Connelly has returned to work after what she describes as a difficult time in her life. “I lost my dad who I was very close to and who lived with us,” says Jennifer, who voices a character in the new animated movie 9. “So I went through a really hard time at the end of last year.” The 38-year-old actress, who is married to British actor Paul Bettany, took most of this year off to spend time with her family and regain her zest for life. “I’ve been trying to be very healthy, eat well and get lots of fresh air and sunshine,” she says. “I’ve had a long time just hanging out at home looking after my kids and being with Paul. We’ve had the whole summer off so I’ve had lots of time in the mountains, hiking in the woods, swimming and relaxing.” In 9, Jennifer voices the character called 7, a brave, self-sufficient warrior. The movie is set in a post-apocalyptic world in which numbered rag dolls must battle killing machines in order to stay alive. “I think audiences have become more and more familiar with a different kind of animated film over the years, so I don’t think this will be a shock,” says Jennifer. “But it’s certainly not Lady And The Tramp. It’s not for kids.” Thanks to Mirror.co.uk for this find!