Cameron Diaz's father Emilio Diaz died after developing pneumonia while she was working on the film "My Sister's Keeper," according to media reports Tuesday.

The famous actress found it easy to sympathise with her "My Sister's Keeper" character Sara Fitzgerald, whose daughter has terminal cancer, even though she isn't a mother herself.

She said: "I think we all related to the fact that there isn't anything that you wouldn't give someone that you love that deeply. You do whatever it takes to keep that person alive. I think that that's something that spoke to most of us, for this film, and what I think is so effective in the film."

Cameron also praised her 13-year-old co-star Abigail Breslin for her brave performance.

Abigail plays Sara's other daughter Anna, who is a designer baby born to help keep Kate alive. However, Anna decides she wants the right to make her own medical decisions.

Cameron said: "What was amazing about working with Abigail was that I realised you see her and you're like, 'Oh, she's just a little girl,' but she's got so much power within her. She's just a powerhouse ...I was amazed by how strong she is."

Source: Xinhua/Agencies