Nicole Kidman's Father Dies in Singapore Hotel Room: "Police Are Investigating the Unnatural Death"

Tony Kidman, a clinical psychologist, celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary in January

By Zach Johnson Sep 12, 2014 5:05 PMTags
Nicole Kidman, Anthony KidmanLee Celano/WireImage for BWR Public Relations

UPDATE: "Nicole and her family are in shock by the sudden death of her father," Kidman's rep tells E! News in a statement. "She appreciates the outpouring of support and kindly requests privacy during this very difficult time. Thank you."

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Nicole Kidman is in mourning.

Tony Kidman, a clinical psychologist at the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia, died while visiting the star's sister, Antonia Marran, who lives in Singapore with her husband and six children. "Police are investigating the unnatural death," a spokesman said. According to Reuters, the term "unnatural death" in Singapore often refers to falls or other accidents. Nicole's publicist confirmed Tony fell in a hotel room but had no other details. "The family is in shock and is grieving," her rep told The Daily Mail Australia. "I think that some time and privacy is needed to deal with this shock and tragedy."

Police said they were informed that a man in his 80s had died at a hospital.

In a statement, vice-chancellor professor Attila Brungs told the local press, "During his 43 years at the University of Technology, Sydney, Tony has contributed greatly—as a colleague, as a researcher, and as a health practitioner. Tony will be missed by all at UTS. Our thoughts are with his family at this time."

Tony was also a clinical psychologist at Royal North Shore Hospital. In 2005, he was awarded an Order of Australia for his contributions to clinical psychology. Tony also authored several publications dealing with anxiety and depression, and he was a regular talking head on psychological health-related issues.

In January, Tony and his wife Janelle Kidman celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family. In June, he accompanied Nicole on the red carpet at the Swisse Celebrate Life Ball in Melbourne.

Nicole was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1967 while her parents were studying abroad. The Kidman family moved to Sydney's North Shore when the future Academy Award winner was just 4 years old.

(Originally published on Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, at 5:10 a.m. PDT.)