Graduating from Lake Orion High School, Watros attended Macomb Community College. She transferred to Boston University and graduated with a BFA, and like many, headed to New York City to seek fame. She was cast as Agnes Gooch in a Broadway musical theatre production of Auntie Mame. She also appeared as one of the Pigeon Sisters in The Odd Couple with Llama Productions.

Watros initially became known for her role as Annie Dutton on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light from 1994 to 1998. Her character, a nurse, began as a heroine, but she gained notice and critical acclaim when her character's rivalry with Reva Shayne (played by Kim Zimmer) led her to become a scheming villainess. In 1998, Watros won a Daytime Emmy Award as "Outstanding Lead Actress" for her role on Read more...

Watros is also known for several primetime television roles.

After her departure from Lost, Watros filmed a pilot for a show titled My Ex-Life for CBS. She was slated to play the ex-wife of a character played by Tom Cavanagh. However, the pilot was not chosen by CBS.