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!

Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood has revealed he has always had a secret crush on his latest co-star, Jennifer Connelly. The pair play characters in the new animated movie, 9. Elijah, speaking on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, gushed: “She’s amazing, a truly generous spirit. “She was beautiful, extraordinary to work with. “I’ve always had a secret crush on her.”

Back in September, Jennifer and Paul were seen in Toronto to promote their new movie Creation. On September 10, Jennifer looked red hot in Bottega Veneta at the Gala Presentation of Creation at the Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Canada. She finished off her look with YSL shoes and Bottega Veneta bag. One day later, on September 11, Jennifer and Paul spoke at the Creation press conference held at the Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto, Canada. She wore a “Diablo” long sleeve cocktail dress in chalk/black by RM by Roland Mouret. How is it possible for one woman to be so gorgeous?! Sorry for the delay and thanks to JustJared for the infos!

Ed Harris and Emma Roberts have joined the cast of indie drama What’s Wrong With Virginia, reports Variety. Amy Madigan will also star in the project, which is being directed and scripted by Dustin Lance Black (Milk). Harris has replaced Liam Neeson in the role of a sheriff, who has his state senate bid placed in jeopardy by his daughter’s (Roberts) relationship with the son of a “psychologically disturbed woman”. Madigan is cast as the sheriff’s wife. Jennifer Connelly was previously confirmed to play the title character. Connelly and Harris have worked together twice before on Pollock and A Beautiful Mind.

Actress Jennifer Connelly has developed a love for mixed martial arts during a break in Los Angeles. The actress took the summer off to spend time with her kids while her husband Paul Bettany was working on a new film in Hollywood, and while watching him train for the project, she decided to join him at the gym. Connelly explains, “My husband is doing an action film, so he’s been doing some martial arts and I was watching him doing it and I thought, ‘That looks like fun, I’ll give it a try.’ “What happened was I threw my first punch and I heard that really loud crack as my fist hit the pad and I got this huge smile on my face and I was a little embarrassed, and frankly confused, that hitting something was bringing me so much pleasure. “I’ve discovered that inside this sort of mild mannered woman beats the heart of a ruthless ninja.”

Jennifer Connelly lets her children say “F**k”. The Creation actress is a laidback parent to her kids and is happy to ignore certain behavioural traits. When asked if she is a strict mother, she said: “Things like bedtimes and cursing don’t bother me. I’m not offended if Kai is laughing and says something like, ‘That was f**king hard.’ Or if I drop something and say ‘S**t’. “But I make it clear that other people might find it offensive. And I won’t stand for cursing at someone or rudeness. I am quite strict about manners.” Jennifer and Paul have recently moved their family from a lavish home in Brooklyn to a smaller Manhattan apartment, and despite the more intimate space, the actress insists they are much happier there. She said: “It didn’t feel homey. We would always end up in the kitchen. Now we are all on one floor. It’s much easier.”

Jennifer Connelly says her husband, actor Paul Bettany, takes cheese with him everywhere he goes. Paul Bettany is addicted to cheese. The Creation star’s wife Jennifer Connelly – who he raises two children with – says that although the actor has finally given up smoking, she has failed to dissuade him from taking his favourite dairy food everywhere. She told Britain’s InStyle magazine: “When we met he smoked a lot and ate a lot of cheese. “He still eats a lot of cheese. It’s usually somewhere in his backpack. But he quit smoking. I don’t think it was my influence. Kids will do that to you. You want to stick around and see what happens with them.” Although Jennifer – who has two sons, 12-year-old Kai from a previous relationship and Stellan, six, with Paul – insists she has little influence on her husband, she believes he has made her less uptight. She explained: “I’ve gotten less introverted and earnest since Paul and I have been together. “Paul tore me apart from my earnestness.

Jennifer Connelly is breathtakingly beautiful in Balenciaga on the October 2009 cover of InStyle UK. Here are a few snippets from the 38-year-old actress’ interview:
On her casual go-to outfit: “A much-loved pair of old biker boots, figure-hugging jeans and an acid yellow T-shirt from American Apparel. I tend to recycle. I have Doc Martens I’ve had since I was 15 that I still wear. I have to retire them soon because they are falling apart.”
On her British husband of six years, actor Paul Bettany: “He is a really good person – he is funny, he’s smart and he’s kind. He will surrender without vanity or ego to the story, which I really admire.”
Editorial info: The 38-year-old actress wore a a black Calvin Klein dress (with sexy cut-outs) and Nina Ricci at Harvey Nicholas boots (with a platform so high the heel doesn’t even touch the ground). Jennifer also wore paired her pastel Rodarte minidress with Nicholas Kirkwood leather strappy thigh high platform boots. Kudos to stylist Leslie Fremar for putting these exquisite looks together! Thanks to JustJared!

Jennifer Connelly keeps it casual as she and her sons catch a flight to the Toronto Film Festival via New York’s JFK airport on September 09. The 38-year-old actress is pictured here with sons Kai, 12, and Stellan, 6, who seems to be showing off some ninja moves to photographers. Hi-ya! Thanks to JustJared!