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.