Quote of the day by Naomi Watts: ‘We're so afraid of death in our culture, but I think if we understand it better, then…’ – King Kong actress on mortality and living fully

One topic that is rarely talked about despite being encountered by nearly everyone is death. Usually, death is something people try to avoid talking about. For Naomi Watts, however, being confronted with the thought of dying might provide some kind of revelation: it might help appreciate life more.

The Oscar nominated actress spent a significant amount of her time playing people who went through a tough time of fear, trauma, sadness and upheavals. Her thoughts on mortality, thus, will be interesting due to this connection.

Quote of the day by Naomi Watts

“We're so afraid of death in our culture, but I think if we understand it better, then we'll appreciate the life we have more.”

Watts made the observation in connection with 21 Grams, a 2003 drama that revolves around death, loss, guilt and the unpredictable ways lives intersect. The quote is widely attributed to her in biographical and quotation sources.

Who is Naomi Watts?

Born in England in 1968, Watts relocated to Australia with her family at the age of 14. She started developing her skills in acting in Australia before relocating to Hollywood, which became the place of numerous auditions, minor appearances and failure for her before her career took off. As the Australian National Portrait Gallery notes, her early days in Hollywood were the time of obscurity and failed auditions.

Everything changed when David Lynch's Mulholland Drive was released in 2001. Watts herself said that the movie made the division between her "before" and "after" career.

She has since starred in movies such as The Ring, 21 Grams, King Kong, The Painted Veil, and The Impossible. For her role in 21 Grams, she received a nomination for an Academy Award, while The Impossible brought her another nomination for an Oscar.

Not only an actress, but Watts has also been using her fame as a way to make a stand on certain issues. She acted as a UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador working to promote HIV/AIDS and combat the stigma associated with it.

In more recent times, Watts has taken on the issue of discussing menopause and aging. Her book, Dare I Say It, dealt with such topics as menopause, aging, careers, and self-confidence.

What does Naomi Watts mean by the quote

Naomi Watts is not saying that one should stop being scared of death. On the contrary, she is indicating the consequences that could occur from the admission of mortality.

People who are afraid of death sometimes concentrate so much on their dying that they ignore all other things that happen to them in advance. It is Watts' opinion that such an approach to the reality will make even ordinary events significant.

A conversation with someone you love, a meeting with your family members, an interesting job offer or even just a quiet day will seem unimportant when you see it separately. The fact that life is limited will make you look at it differently. Time will become irreversible.

In other words, it all comes to attention. When you start thinking that life ends somewhere, you will try to be more attentive to your life.

Watts on ageing, work and acceptance of change

Watts has constantly questioned the concept of ageing being associated with lack of visibility or ambition.

Speaking about her career, she once said:“There's a set of rules out there somewhere that says it all ends by 40. I hope to be able to defy that because I truly love my work.”

She has talked about rejecting the idea of keeping the experience of ageing hidden and stated that women should be allowed to freely speak about experiences like menopause without any shame or taboo.

More quotes by Naomi Watts

“You have to make peace with yourself. The key is to find the harmony in what you have.”

“The longer your life, the deeper it gets.”

“If I have to produce movies, direct movies, whatever to change the way Hollywood treats older women, I'll do it. If I have to bend the rules, I will. If I have to break them, I will.”

“Whenever a film allows you to think and feel and take it beyond the moment, I think it's achieved something.”