Natalie Wood Wiki: 'Miracle on 34th Street', Death, Net Worth & Facts About Robert Wagner's Ex Wife

Natalie Wood was born in 1938. She was a renowned American actress known for her screen roles in 'Miracle on 34th Street', 'Splendor in the Grass', 'Rebel Without a Cause', 'Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice', 'The Searchers' and 'West Side Story'. She initially worked as a child actor and later became a successful film and television actress. Wood received three Oscar Award nominations before even she turned 25. She debuted on screen at the age of 4. She appeared in the classic Christmas film, 'Miracle on 34th Street' when she was just 8. She later got a nomination for the Oscars Award for the Best Supporting Actress in the movie, 'Rebel Without a Cause' in 1955. Natalie appeared in the musical film, 'West Side Story' in 1961 and 'Gypsy' in 1962. She received an Academy Award for Best Actress nominations for her performance in the movie, 'Splendor in the Grass' in 1961 and 'Love with the Proper Stranger' in 1963. She appeared in the film, 'Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice' in 1969. During the 70s, she took a break from acting as she had two children to look after from different husbands. Wood starred in many television productions like 'From Here to Eternity' in 1979 for which she got a Golden Globe Award. Natalie Wood was born in San Francisco to parents Maria Stepanovna and Nikolai who was a Ukrainian. Her mother always wanted her to be an actress. Wood once said in an interview, "My mother used to tell me that the cameraman who pointed his lens out at the audience at the end of the Paramount newsreel was taking my picture. I'd pose and smile like he was going to make me famous or something. I believed everything my mother told me. Natalie Wood's sister, Lana Wood also became an actress. Wood aged 7, later appeared as a German orphan in 'Tomorrow is Forever' in 1946. The director Welles later said that she was a born professional. Wood later signed with the 20th Century Fox Studio for her first major role in the movie, 'Miracle on 34th Street'. Following her success and fame, Natalie Wood soon appeared for the next few years in many family oriented films like 'Father Was a Fullback', 'Dear Brat', 'No Sad Songs for Me', 'Daughter in The Jackpot', 'The Blue Veil' and 'The Star'. By then, Wood had already appeared in over 20 years as a child actress. According to the law in California, Wood was required to attend three hours of schooling everyday. Wood remembered that period in her life, saying, "I always felt guilty when I knew the crew was sitting around waiting for me to finish my three hours. As soon as the teacher let us go, I ran to the set as fast as I could". She got significant media attention and by 9, she had been named, ' "most exciting juvenile motion picture star of the year".

Natalie Wood died by drowning under undetermined circumstances near their yacht which was moored next to Catalina Island. It was never determined on how she entered the water. Robert Wagner and a few co-stars were on board at that time. The autopsy report revealed that Wood had bruises on her body and arms as well as an abrasion on her left cheek. Wagner denies any allegations of having killed his wife. He did admit that he had an argument with her just before she disappeared. Her case was initially ruled as an accident by drowning and hypothermia. The case was re-opened after 30 years, after the captain of the yacht, Dennis Davern, stated publicly that Wood had had an argument with her husband before her death. He alleged that Wagner was responsible for her death. Later, an authority changed the cause of her death from accidental drowning to "drowning and other undetermined factors." The document stated the causes are not determined properly although Robert Wagner has been named, 'Person Of Interest' in the case. Wagner has denied any involvement in Wood's death.

Natalie Wood died by drowning under undetermined circumstances near their yacht which was moored next to Catalina Island. It was never determined on how she entered the water. Robert Wagner and a few co-stars were on board at that time. The autopsy report revealed that Wood had bruises on her body and arms as well as an abrasion on her left cheek. Wagner denies any allegations of having killed his wife. He did admit that he had an argument with her just before she disappeared. Her case was initially ruled as an accident by drowning and hypothermia. The case was re-opened after 30 years, after the captain of the yacht, Dennis Davern stated publicly that Wood had had an argument with her husband before her death. He alleged that Wagner was responsible for her death. Later, an authority changed the cause of her death from accidental drowning to "drowning and other undetermined factors." The document stated the causes are not determined properly although Robert Wagner has been named, 'Person Of Interest' in the case. Wagner has denied any involvement in Wood's death.

Although she died early, she will always remain alive in the hearts of millions of her fans.