Naomi Watts was 32 when she got her big acting break as Betty/Diane Selwyn in David Lynch's 2001 flick Mulholland Drive.

Almost two decades later, Naomi - who is now an A-lister - took to Instagram to pay tribute to the man who launched her Hollywood career.

'Happy birthday to the incredible David Lynch who literally changed my life,' the now 50-year-old actress wrote on Monday.

Paying tribute: Naomi Watts (right) has thanked long-term friend and director, David Lynch, (left) whom she credits for her big acting break in the 2001 film Mulholland Drive

Heartfelt: Naomi Watts paid tribute to the director who launched her Hollywood career with breakout film Mulholland Drive over Instagram (above) on Monday

'I am so appreciative of my buddy Dave taking a risk on me and becoming a wonderful friend and mentor,' she continued.

'The world is a better place because of this man. His wit, charm and intelligence are brilliant. His heart gargantuan. His artistry, otherworldly. We are all better off thanks to his gifts.'

The Australian golden girl gushed: 'For me, his belief in me finally meant I could believe in myself!! It also meant other great filmmakers wanted to work with me and I got to be part of the business of storytelling.'

'[I am] forever indebted to this punk rock legend.'

They go way back! Naomi (left) and David (right) are old friends. 'I am so appreciative of my buddy Dave taking a risk on me and becoming a wonderful friend and mentor,' Naomi said on Monday

Life after Mulholland Drive: Almost two decades later, Naomi celebrates the launch of Tod's Capsule Collection in New York in March last year

The psychological thriller Mulholland Drive premiered at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, receiving a large number of awards and nominations and was highly acclaimed by critics.

The film also secured the budding star the Best Actress Award from the National Society of Film Critics and a nomination for Best Actress from the American Film Institute.

Speaking to the Independent in July 2017, Naomi said her luck as an actress ultimately changed when David cast her in the film.

A psychological thriller: Naomi Watts (left) starred in the critically acclaimed film which premiered at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival

'I think of my career in two parts; before Mulholland Drive and after,' she confessed.

'Certainly, since Mulholland Drive, I’ve had much more opportunity to pick and choose projects.'

'I was a lucky girl indeed. Nobody 'saw me' until he did...,' she wrote over the Instagram post.

David later said about his selection of Naomi: 'I saw someone that I felt had a tremendous talent, and I saw someone who had a beautiful soul, an intelligence—possibilities for a lot of different roles, so it was a beautiful full package.'