Natalie Wood Biography: Husband, Age, Children, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Movies & TV Shows, Career

Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko, famously known as Natalie Wood, was an acclaimed American actress whose career spanned over four decades, earning her recognition as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and beloved stars.

Known for her roles in iconic films like Rebel Without a Cause (1955), West Side Story (1961), and Splendor in the Grass (1961), Wood captivated audiences with her emotional depth and charisma.

Profile

• Full Name: Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko
• Stage Name: Natalie Wood
• Born: 20, July 1938
• Date of Death: 29, November 1981 (Aged: 43 years old)
• Birthplace: San Francisco, California, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress
• Height: 1.52m
• Parents: Maria Gurdin and Nicholas Zakharenko
• Siblings: Lana Wood
• Spouse: Robert Wagner (m. 1957–1962, m. 1972–1981), Richard Gregson (m. 1969–1972)
• Children: Natasha Gregson Wagner, Courtney Wagner
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2.5 million

Early Life and Education

Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko was born on July 20, 1938, in San Francisco, California, to Russian immigrant parents Maria Gurdin and Nicholas Zakharenko.

She grew up with her younger sister, Lana Wood, who also pursued acting.

Natalie attended Van Nuys High School in California but received much of her education through tutors due to her early start in film.

Her parents, particularly her ambitious mother, pushed her into acting at age four.

Of Russian and Ukrainian descent, Wood identified as non-religious, though her family’s Orthodox Christian background influenced her upbringing.

Career

Natalie Wood launched her career at age four, appearing in small, uncredited film roles before landing a breakthrough part in Miracle on 34th Street (1947) at age eight.

Her portrayal of a skeptical young girl won critical praise and established her as a child star.

She continued acting in films like The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947) and Driftwood (1947), honing her craft under her mother’s guidance.

By her teens, Wood sought more mature roles, gaining attention for her performance opposite James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause (1955), which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Wood’s transition to adult roles showcased her range and depth.

She starred in Splendor in the Grass (1961) opposite Warren Beatty, earning another Oscar nomination, and played Maria in West Side Story (1961), a cultural landmark that solidified her stardom.

Her work in Gypsy (1962) and Love with the Proper Stranger (1963) further demonstrated her ability to tackle complex characters, earning her a third Oscar nomination.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, she balanced mainstream successes with television roles, including the acclaimed TV movie The Affair (1973).

Wood’s later years included fewer but still impactful roles, such as in Meteor (1979) and her final film, Brainstorm (1983), released posthumously.

Her ability to portray vulnerability and strength made her a standout in Hollywood.

Beyond acting, she advocated for creative control in her projects, a rarity for actresses of her era.

Her untimely death in 1981 cut short a remarkable career, but her performances continue to influence actors and filmmakers, cementing her as a cinematic icon.

Social Media

Natalie Wood does not have social media accounts.

Personal Life

Natalie Wood married actor Robert Wagner in 1957, but the couple divorced in 1962.

She then married producer Richard Gregson in 1969, with whom she had her daughter Natasha Gregson Wagner; they divorced in 1972.

Wood remarried Wagner that same year, and they welcomed daughter Courtney Wagner.

Her personal life, often under public scrutiny, included high-profile friendships and a love of sailing.

Her mysterious death in 1981 off Catalina Island, while on a yacht with Wagner and actor Christopher Walken, sparked widespread speculation and remains unresolved.

Filmography

• Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
• The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
• Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
• The Searchers (1956)
• Splendor in the Grass (1961)
• West Side Story (1961)
• Gypsy (1962)
• Love with the Proper Stranger (1963)
• Meteor (1979)
• Brainstorm (1983)

Net Worth

Natalie Wood amassed an estimated net worth of $2.5 million at the time of her death.

Her wealth stemmed primarily from her prolific acting career, spanning child roles to leading parts in major films and television projects.

Additional income came from endorsements and residuals from her iconic films, particularly West Side Story and Rebel Without a Cause, which continued to generate revenue through syndication and home media.