Naomi Ellen Watts (born 28 September 1968) is a British-Australian actress. Watts began her career in Australian television, where she appeared in series such as Home and Away, Brides of Christ and Hey Dad..!. Her film debut was the 1986 drama For Love Alone. Her following portrayals included roles in B-class movies, such as the 1996 horror film Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering, as well as roles in television and independent movies.
Watts gained critical acclaim following her work in the 2001 psychological thriller Mulholland Drive. The next year, she received public recognition for her participation in the box office hit horror film The Ring. In 2004, she received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress as well as for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Cristina Peck in the 2003 drama 21 Grams. Other film roles include the 2005 remake of King Kong, the 2006 remake of The Painted Veil, the 2007 thriller Eastern Promises, and the 2009 thriller The International.
In 2002, she was included in People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People. In 2006, Watts became a goodwill ambassador for Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, which helps to raise awareness of AIDS issues. She has participed in several fund raisings for the cause, and she is presented as an inaugural member of AIDS Red Ribbon Awards.
