Actress-and-former model Diane Kruger has revealed she learnt how to skin a chicken and shoot a gun while growing up.

Diane Kruger can skin a chicken.

The sexy 'Inglourious Basterds' actress grew up in the remote north German village of Algermissen and had to learn how to live in the countryside.

Diane - whose mother Maria-Theresa raised her and her brother single-handedly after she left her alcoholic husband - said: "I grew up with a brother. I grew up in the countryside. I learned how to shoot a gun and skin a chicken. I can definitely hold my own with the boys. I think that's why I got hired for 'Inglourious Basterds'. Most people look at me as the tiny, dainty, European blonde actress, and the thing is I'm not that at all."

Despite leaving home at 15 to move to Paris and pursue a career as a model, Diane, 33, insists she still loves nature and is a keen gardener now.

The former model - who is in a long-term relationship with Joshua Jackson - added to ShortList magazine: "My garden makes me happy. I love cooking so I'm taking advantage of my garden. It's amazing I've got an English herb garden."