(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-04-02 17:03

Renee Zellweger became obsessed with house renovations, after she was taught home improvement skills as a child.

Cast member Renee Zellweger poses at the premiere of "Leatherheads" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California March 31, 2008. The movie opens in the U.S. on April 4. [Agencies]

The 38-year-old credits her skills to her engineer father Emil who made sure she was never too scared to get involved with his various projects when she was growing up.

The Bridget Jones' Diary star revealed that she is as proficient in maintaining a car as well as in doing home improvements, and never lets an opportunity to make use of her talents go by.

"He (my father) always made sure my brother and I knew how to change tyres, the oil and the brake shoes. We built a house together, all of us, when I was about nine or 10," Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

"We wired it, laid the foundation and tiled the floors. It's easier than you think. Believe me, when I'm not working, I'm not afraid to pick up a paintbrush. I'm always redoing my places.

"During (the filming of 1996 film) Jerry Maguire, I lived in this little apartment I referred to as the 'crack apartment'. I got in there with a shovel and redid the whole place while we were making the movie," she stated.

"When I told Tom Cruise about it, he went out and bought me a stereo," she added.