Natalie Wood

Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko (July 20, 1938 – November 29, 1981), better known as Natalie Wood, was an American film actress. She was the sister of actor and producer Lana Wood.

Drowning at Catalina Island

Wood's two marriages to actor Robert Wagner were publicized and stormy, but they were reconciled once more at the time of her death. In 1981, at the age of forty-three, Wood drowned while their yacht The Splendor was anchored at Catalina Island. An investigation by Los Angeles coroner Thomas Noguchi resulted in an official verdict of accidental drowning, although speculation about the circumstances continued. Wood was on board the yacht with Wagner and actor Christopher Walken. There were reports Wagner and Walken had a loud argument and Wood apparently tried to either leave the yacht or tie up a small boat that was banging against the hull keeping her awake when she accidentally slipped and fell overboard. A woman on shore said she had heard cries for help in the water that night along with voices replying "they were coming." Wagner, Walken and the pilot of the Splendor said they never heard any cries. Noguchi pointed out that Wood was legally intoxicated when she died and there were marks and bruises on her body, which could have been received as a result of her fall.

Related Topics:
Robert Wagner - 1981 - Catalina Island - Thomas Noguchi - Christopher Walken

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At the time of her death Wood was filming Brainstorm and preparing to make her stage debut in a Los Angeles production of Anastasia, opposite Dame Wendy Hiller.

Related Topics:
Brainstorm - Los Angeles - Anastasia - Wendy Hiller

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She is buried in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery. She was survived by her husband Robert Wagner and daughters Katie Wagner (from Wagner's previous marriage to Marion Marshall), Natasha Gregson Wagner (from her marriage to Richard Gregson), and Courtney Wagner, as well as her sister Lana Wood, and her mother.

Related Topics:
Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery - Katie Wagner - Marion Marshall - Natasha Gregson Wagner - Richard Gregson - Courtney Wagner - Lana Wood

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