HOLLYWOOD: Cameron Diaz was helped through the grieving process by her young co-stars.

The actress - who lost her father Emilio in April 2008 after he died of pneumonia while she was shooting the film 'My Sister's Keeper' - said it was the kind words of Abigail Breslin, 13, and Sofia Vassilieva, 17, who provided the most comfort.

She said: "Being able to go back to a great group of people, who were there and waiting for me, was a blessing. Those girls helped me. Nick Cassavetes, the director, was amazing, too. That's the only way I was able to do it."

Despite the tragedy, the 37-year-old beauty - who was given two weeks off after the production schedule was changed to help her grieve - said she knew the "show must go on".

She said: "If anyone knows what it's like to lose a parent, and it happened very suddenly and very unexpectedly for me, you're in shock."

Her father's death has also made her appreciate those around her a lot more.

She told Stylist magazine: "The most important thing I've found in my life is my family and friends. Your wealth in life is the people who you get to love and who love you back, and all the experiences that you get to have with those people throughout your life."