Natalie Wood was born in San Francisco, CA to Russian immigrant parents. Her family moved from the city of the bay to Santa Rosa, CA before her family moved to Los Angeles. Natalie Wood was a child film star with her most notable role as a child playing to role of the little girl in the original Christmas flick Miracle on 34th Street. This movie was a huge holiday hit, but Natalie Wood would eventually grow up and in the movie industry, it is hard to break out of the innocent mold that child actor's often are caught in. At age 16, she starred opposite James Dean and Sal Mineo in Rebel Without A Cause which gave her notoriety as a beautiful, talented, young actress, as well as her first Oscar nomination. Natalie Wood went on to become one of the most famous and memorable actresses of the 1960s starring in Elia Kazan's Splendor In The Grass, West Side Story, and the film version of Broadway-hit Gypsy (portraying Gypsy Rose Lee's life). During the 1970s, Natalie Wood was married to actor Robert Wagner and started a family.
After her hiatus, she began to star in a few random movies in the 1980s. Natalie Wood began working on a film called Brainstorm which starred Christopher Walken. While filming in L.A., her husband Robert Wagner and co-star Christopher Walken decided to celebrate Thanksgiving of 1981 on their Yacht at a harbor of the Catalina Islands. Although their are many conspiracies, Natalie Wood was thought to be intoxicated late that night and fell overboard and drowned to death. Natalie Wood's mysterious death has become a legend due to its lack of evidence and why no one was with her at the time. Although Natalie Wood was not as big of a star as she was in the 60s, her death was a tragedy, leaving behind a husband, children, and sister. Natalie Wood was not just beautiful, but she was a trend-setter of 60s fashion, and her films continue to carry on her legacy. Some say she over-acted, but didn't they all back then? The roles she plays are perfect for her, and she adds her own touch to the character. No matter what the characters morals, Natalie Wood makes us pay attention to her and she portrays the character in her own way. She will always be one of my favorite actresses of the classic-film era. The diversity of her roles are very notable, from the melancholy of Splendor In The Grass to the Broadway-inspired musical Gypsy, Natalie Wood was a great versatile actress of her time.
R.I.P.
