Melbourne, June 22 Nicole Kidman marked her 42nd birthday on June 20 (09) by paying tribute to her dad Anthony.

The actress turned a year older a day before Father's Day June 21 (09) and decided to use the occasion to honour her dad, describing how he helped her through her break-up with Tom Cruise and gave her the skills to find love again.

"Dad's a psychiatrist, and when I was younger he was always trying to give me advice that I wouldn't listen to," the Daily Telegraph quoted Kidman as telling the Daily Mail.

"Now that I'm older, I really value his insight. When I was younger, I always felt closer to my mother than to my father. It wasn't until I was older that I really realised how special my father is, too.

"When my marriage to Tom Cruise fell apart, I really needed to reach out to my dad, and he was wonderful.

"He stood by me, comforted me; showed me, at a time when I really needed to see it, the way that a man can be strong, dignified and loving.

"I'm very grateful that I had such a good father to see me through that time because it put me in good stead for trusting again the next time I fell in love. My father . . . is a very good and decent man," she added. (ANI)