Born: September 28, 1968, Shoreham, Kent, England, UK
They say that truth is stranger than fiction -- but in Naomi Watts case, strange fiction seems to be reality. In fact, since starring in David Lynchs Mulholland Drive, Watts has often confided -- only half-jokingly -- that even when shes old and gray, in my slippers with my cane, folks will still be begging her to reveal the real meaning behind the picture. Its not just her part in Mulholland Drive thats responsible for her reputation for playing rather odd roles, either. Shes been acting since her teenage years, most often in obscure, unusual films that, many say, havent allowed her to receive the recognition she deserves.-- and her part in 21 Grams only added fuel to that fire. Critics claimed the film was confusing for viewers, since it skipped around chronologically, changing from scene to scene. The Ring, however, was Watts legitimate theatrical coup, a box-office and critically acclaimed smash that provided the perfect vehicle for this most unusual woman to finally garner the respect her work deserves.
Its not surprising that Watts is drawn to unusual roles -- the planet Uranus, the astrological ruler of the unexpected, is quite active in her chart. If anything, whats surprising is that shes managed to touch down here in reality at all; Uranus is known to be a rule-breaker, fond of operating outside of whatever is currently considered normal or ordinary. This quirky, unpredictable planet is in close contact with Watts Sun in Libra, adding an insistent, eccentric bent to what would ordinarily be a cooperative, people-pleasing personality. This perfectly accounts for Watts tendency to portray equally unusual women who are forced to act suddenly, to pull off remarkable, extraordinary and quite necessary tasks.
Uranus is also in close contact with Watts Mercury, the planet in charge of communication. Since cerebral Mercury is in sociable, personable Libra, its easy to see how Uranus electric influence would only add fuel to her extremely noticeable, extraordinary fire -- and a commanding, impossible to ignore voice, both literally and figuratively.
And speaking of fire, lets not forget that Watts was born with Saturn, the ruler of career, in the most impetuous, most fiery of all signs -- Aries. Folks who are born with any planet in Aries are go-getters, but Saturn in Aries combines red-hot ambition with executive ability in a potent, powerful way. Saturn is also directly opposite Watts Mercury, indicating that every move she makes will always be well thought-out, with a careful, practical eye toward the long term. Watts may have taken her time getting to the top, but shes going to be there for a good long while.
