Naomi Watts almost packed her bags and returned to Australia after a decade-long struggle in Hollywood, before a fortuitous encounter with director David Lynch changed her trajectory. In 2001, Lynch cast Watts in the critically acclaimed film “Mulholland Drive”, a decision that not only rejuvenated her career but also forged a lasting mentorship and friendship between the two. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a new chapter for both Watts and Lynch, propelling them to new heights in the film industry.
Before landing her iconic role in "Mulholland Drive," Watts faced a series of disappointments and setbacks. Despite securing roles in the 1995 adaptation of "Tank Girl" and the 1996 sequel "Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering," she found herself floundering as she tried to break into Hollywood. Reflecting on this challenging period, Watts shared her experiences on "Live With Kelly and Mark," expressing gratitude for Lynch's pivotal role in her life.
"I wouldn't have stayed had I not met David Lynch. The chips were down, it was 10 years into flunking auditions."
Lynch's decision to cast Watts in "Mulholland Drive" proved instrumental in altering her fortunes. Her performance in the film not only received critical acclaim but also set the stage for future successes, including an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her role in "21 Grams." The project also solidified Lynch's status as a visionary director, earning him his fourth Oscar nomination and his second in the Best Director category.
Watts credited Lynch for being "very instrumental" in keeping her in America, enabling her to pursue a successful Hollywood career. The pair continued their collaboration on various projects, including the short series "Rabbits" in 2002 and Lynch's final feature, "Inland Empire," in 2006. Watts also made an appearance in Lynch's revival of "Twin Peaks" in 2017.
"How do I speed this up? Because I'm sure I'm not right, because I just had that programming: I'm not funny, I'm not sexy, I'm too old, I'm too this, too that. And he just saw me and was able to sort of lift these veneers."
The news of Lynch's passing at age 78 was met with an outpouring of love and appreciation from the film community, underscoring his influence and impact. Watts acknowledged this response as evidence of his significant contributions to the industry.
