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Katie Holmes On Jackie O: ‘She Was An Amazing Mother’

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Access Hollywood
9/7/10

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Katie Holmes has admitted she has a great admiration for the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis — especially the way the First Lady raised her children.

“She was an amazing mother and she was a very strong woman,” Katie told "Access Hollywood" at the junket for her new movie “The Romantics” on Tuesday.

“She did a lot right,” Katie added of the woman she has spent the last several weeks playing for an upcoming History Channel scripted series, “The Kennedys."

The actress has been spending weeks in Jackie-styled suits and pillbox hats alongside Greg Kinnear (who plays John F. Kennedy in the upcoming TV series) and Tom Wilkinson (who plays Joe Kennedy Sr.). While the clothes are easy to put on, taking on the role of the former First Lady is something Katie said she found intimidating.

“It’s been amazing and a little overwhelming because she is such an icon and so important to our country and so many people have fun memories of her,” Katie said. “In doing the research, I learned so much about her and my adoration for her only grew, so it’s been really fun. It’s always great to play a character that you love.”

Katie has been bringing her daughter, Suri Cruise, to the set with her on “The Kennedys,” something the 32-year-old actress said has been very rewarding.

“It’s been really wonderful and I love being a mom,” Katie told Access. “Suri comes to the set with me… She is amazing and it’s really fun to share making a movie with her. She brings so much to it.”

Katie said 4-year-old Suri has helped change the mood too.

“She is such a light that you instantly feel better,” the proud mom said. “When I’m working, I feel like, ‘Wow, this is so magical I get to share this with you, and you give me so much.’ It’s really fun.”

The actress said Suri has found time to bond with children who are playing the Kennedy kids in the miniseries and they’ve even had play dates together.

“We’ve had a lot of fun with all of the kids on set. Everyone brings their kids and we do play dates there and paint pottery,” she said. “There’s always like a million things going on at once and you just do it.”

“The Romantics” hits theaters on September 10.

Access Extended: Katie Holmes’ ‘The Romantics’ Premiere, NYC

It’s a flashbulb frenzy as Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise hit the red carpet in New York City where she talks about why she loves her new film, “The Romantics.” Also, Katie tells Access about Tom’s romantic gesture. Plus, what’s it like playing Jackie O?

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