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Naomi Watts Profile |
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Birth Date: September 28, 1968
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Birth Place: Shoreham, Kent, UK, England
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Birth Name: Naomi Watts
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Height: 5'5"
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Biography |
Naomi Watts was born in Shoreham, England, on September 28,
1968. After the unfortunate death of her father, Naomi and
her family moved to Australia four years later, when she was
14 years old.
The aspiring actress enrolled in acting school and began
attending numerous auditions, where she met future best
friend and major influence Nicole Kidman. With a lot
diligence, Watts received a small role in For Love Alone in
1986. It may not have been a significant part, but it was a
big step forward as Watts tried to follow in her mother's
footsteps, an accomplished actress who also served as
inspiration for Watts.
the big time, down under
At 18, Naomi decided to try her hand at modeling and was
hired by an agency in Japan. After a year of struggles, she
realized this sort of exposure was not what for her and
returned home. Now working in the fashion industry -- behind
the camera -- Watts was hired as an editor at Follow Me, a
fashion magazine. The acting bug was too strong, however,
and Watts landed roles in 1991's Flirting, with Nicole
Kidman and Thandie Newton, and in an Australian miniseries
alongside Russell Crowe.
With the ultimate desire of being a star in Hollywood, Watts
took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles. Bit roles in
1993's Matinee and 1995's Tank Girl gave her experience but
not quite the boost she needed to become a recognizable face
or name. Even after a few consecutive TV productions with
CBS and parts in 1996's Children of the Corn IV, 1998's
Dangerous Beauty and 1999's Strange Planet, a breakthrough
performance had not yet been achieved.
the road to fame
Only after a callback from Twin Peaks director David Lynch
did Naomi finally see true success. Her strange double
character in 2001's Mulholland Drive (which was originally
intended to be a TV pilot, before becoming a feature film)
was her first starring role in a popular movie (albeit not
so mainstream) and, according to critics, complemented the
rest of the movie beautifully. Acclaim went through the roof
and with attention being turned toward the film with a Best
Director Oscar nomination for director David Lynch, Watts
began receiving long-deserved attention.
in the ring of success
Naomi Watts' career post-Mulholland Drive has skyrocketed,
with starring roles in the film short Ellie Parker and the
blockbuster thriller The Ring, which hit the No. 1 spot at
the box-office in its opening weekend and has already made
more than $80 million in four weeks of release. She can soon
add The Kelly Gang, 21 Grams (with Benicio Del Toro and Sean
Penn) and Le Divorce (with Kate Hudson) to her resume.
With The Kelly Gang and fellow Aussie Heath Ledger by her
side, it's clear that Naomi Watts has a bright Hollywood
future ahead of her. |
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Other
Information |
Daughter of Peter Watts, sound engineer for Pink Floyd until
1974.
Best friends with Nicole Kidman, since a casting call for
commercial when they were girls.
Moved to Australia when she was 14.
Is a vegetarian.
She once appeared in an Australian television commercial
turning down a date with Tom Cruise for her mum's lamb
roast.
Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People
Magazine in 2002.
Her brother Ben Watts is a well-known photographer. He's
been living in the US since 1994.
Featured on the cover of the Australian Empire Magazine
March 2003 for Women of the Year 2002.
Voted the 14th Sexiest Female Movie Star in the Australian
Empire Magazine September 2002.
When her cell phone sounds, it plays Pink Floyd's "Money".
Her father died when she was seven.
Accepted the role for 21 Grams (2003) without reading the
script first.
She met Heath Ledger on the set of new historical epic Ned
Kelly (2003), and the pair dated until May 2004. He
accompanied her to the 2004 Oscar Ceremony.
She has a Yorkshire Terrier named Bob.
Her favorite actresses are Meryl Streep, Jodie Foster and
Julianne Moore. For music, her favorite artists/bands are
Fiona Apple, Coldplay, Björk, Radiohead, Cat Stevens and
Pink Floyd.
Moved in with best friend Nicole Kidman after Kidman spilt
up from husband Tom Cruise.
Favorite comfort food is baked beans.
Director David Lynch asked her to be in the movie Mulholland
Dr. (2001) after picking out her headshot from a stack of
actors.
Ended relationship with Heath Ledger [May 2004]
Favorite sports to watch are soccer, boxing, and tennis
Claims she wanted to become an actor after seeing the movie
Fame (1980).
Spent some of her early childhood in Anglesey, Wales, where
her mother is from.
Starred in and produced 2001's Ellie Parker (2001), which
was made into a kind of cult classic about a struggling
actress in Hollywood and the nightmares she encountered. The
movie resurfaced in 2005 at the SunDance Film Festival and
is set to be re-released in December of 2005.
Ranked #76 on Forbes 2005 Power in Entertainment List.
Had an horrific fall on the New Zealand set of King Kong
(2005). She fell from a height into a ditch, to the shock of
the cast and crew. She thanked her rigorous practice of yoga
for saving her from any permanent damage.
Parents: Peter & Myfanwy (Miv) Watts
Grandparents: Hugh & Nikki Roberts
Her parents divorced when she was four.
When she was 20 years old, she was an assistant editor at
"Follow Me" magazine in Australia. After a friend begged her
to try acting, she quit her job instead and never looked
back. |
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