The Tumultuous Life And Mysterious Death Of Natalie Wood
Former child star Natalie Wood married actor Robert Wagner twice, and the second time was supposed to be the charm. But it all came to a shattering end when Wood’s body was found floating about a mile from the yacht she and Wagner owned, in November 1981.
After all these years, no one knows how Wood spent her last moments alive. The other people on the yacht during that fateful weekend have either remained tight-lipped or have changed their stories over time. Wood’s passing remains one of Hollywood’s most puzzling mysteries—but here’s what we do know.
Her Stage Mother Steered Her Career
Wood’s mother, Maria Zudilova, dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer. She transferred her unfulfilled dreams to her second daughter, Natalie Zacharenko. Zudilova often took her daughter to the movies to study child actors.
She Was A Child Actor
When she was only four years old, Zacharenko caught the attention of crew members during a film shoot. Shortly afterwards, she appeared in her first movie, Happy Land. Studio executives chose the stage name “Natalie Wood” for her.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Wikimedia Commons
Yes, That’s Wood In Miracle On 34th Street
Wood was only eight when she acted in her breakout role as Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street. The film was a critical and commercial success, launching her to stardom.
She Was Nominated For An Academy Award For Rebel Without A Cause
When she was 16, Wood appeared in the cult classic, Rebel Without a Cause, with James Dean. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress but lost to Jo Van Fleet (East of Eden).
Barkin, Herman & Associates-publicity agency for Schlitz Brewing, Wikimedia Commons
She Was A Darling Of Hollywood
Wood’s beauty, vivacity, and incredible acting chops made her a darling of Hollywood. She starred in several notable films including West Side Story and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. She received Academy Award nominations for Best Actress for Splendor in the Grass and Love with the Proper Stranger.
Gerrold Stratzburg for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Wikimedia Commons
Robert Wagner Was Her First Crush
The first time Wood saw Wagner, she was only 10 years old—he was 18. She told her mother, “When I grow up, I’m going to marry him.” It turned out to be a tragic premonition.
The Studio Arranged Their First Date
On her 18th birthday, Wood went on her first date with Wagner. The evening was arranged by 20th Century Fox, ostensibly as a publicity stunt. The two hit it off.
Wood’s And Wagner’s First Marriage
Wood and Wagner married in Arizona a little more than a year after their first date, on December 28, 1957. The windows of the church they were married in were covered with butcher paper to keep curious onlookers from seeing inside.
Wood’s And Wagner’s Divorce
Within a few years, the glittering partnership between two of Hollywood’s most beautiful stars hit the rocks. Wood later explained that she and Wagner were “like two children acting out a studio script”. However, several published accounts state that Wood caught Wagner in the arms of another man. She sued Wagner for divorce, citing “mental cruelties”. Their divorce was finalized in April 1962.
They Each Married Again
Wagner remarried quickly. He and his second wife, actress Marion Marshall, tied the knot in 1963. Wood didn’t remarry until 1969. Her second husband was Richard Gregson, the British producer and theater agent.
Splendor in the Grass (1961), Warner Bros. Pictures
They Reconnected At A Dinner Party
Although Wood and Wagner had seen each other occasionally since their divorce, they reconnected at a dinner party in 1970. Each attended without their spouses. Wood was six months pregnant with her daughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner. Wagner followed Wood home, to make sure she got back safely. On arriving at Wood’s home, they spent time chatting and sparks flew again.
They Divorced Their Partners
Wagner announced his separation from Marshall soon after reconnecting with Wood. He and Marshall divorced in 1971. Meanwhile, Wood and Gregson separated in 1971, and their divorce finalized in 1972. But Wood didn’t wait for the divorce to go through before she rekindled things with Wagner.
They Remarried In 1972
After a whirlwind courtship that included an appearance together at the 1972 Oscars and a transatlantic journey on Queen Elizabeth 2, Wood and Wagner remarried in July 1972.
They Married And Honeymooned On A Boat
Wood and Wagner enjoyed sailing so much that they were married aboard the yacht Ramblin’ Rose. They spent their honeymoon cruising up and down the California coast, stopping at Catalina Island. Later in their marriage, they owned a 55-foot yacht named Splendour.
Their Second Marriage Was Idyllic—Or Was It?
On the surface, Wood and Wagner had a picture-perfect relationship. Wood partially retired from acting and poured her energy into her family, which soon included the only biological child Wood and Wagner had together—their daughter Courtney, born in 1974.
Wood Cheated On Wagner
Despite the appearance of a happy marriage, Wood was involved in an extramarital affair with an FBI agent named Donald G. Wilson by 1973. Their relationship lasted for about four years.
Jack Mitchell, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
She Was Known For Her Fiery Temper
Wood was not shy about standing up for herself. Having been bullied by her stage mother, exploited by the studio system, and abused by one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Wood unleashed her fiery temper when she needed to be heard.
Allan warren, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Several Friends Declined Invitations For The Fateful Boat Trip
In November 1981, Wood and Wagner began planning a trip to Catalina Island, which they often sailed to on Splendour. Wood invited several friends. They all declined—except one.
Christopher Walken Joined The Couple
Christopher Walken’s star was rising following his Oscar-winning performance in 1978’s The Deer Hunter. In November 1981, he was in the midst of filming Brainstorm with Wood. He accepted Wood’s invitation to join her and Wagner aboard Splendour for Thanksgiving weekend.
The Boat’s Captain Was Also Present
Shortly after Wood and Wagner purchased Splendour in 1975, they asked Dennis Davern to be the yacht’s captain. Davern had worked on the boat before it was sold to the Hollywood couple. When he accompanied Wood, Wagner, and Walken on the boat that tragic Thanksgiving weekend, Davern was only 33 years old.
They Set Sail On November 27, 1981
Around noon on Friday, November 27, Splendour set sail to Catalina Island. The weekend seemed doomed from the outset.
Booze Ignited Arguments On The First Day
The weekend aboard Splendour was marred by heavy drinking—by everyone present. The drinking fueled arguments between Wood and Wagner. Accounts vary, with some saying the couple’s anger may have stemmed from Wagner’s jealousy as Wood flirted with Walken. However, in his memoir about the weekend, Davern says that Wagner and Wood argued over the yacht’s destination on Friday night.
ABC, The Mystery of Natalie Wood (2004)
Wood And Davern Spent The First Night Ashore
Wood was so upset by her arguments with Wagner that she asked Davern to take her ashore to Catalina Island in the yacht’s dinghy. The two spent Friday night at the Pavilion Lodge Hotel in Avalon, the island’s main city. Although the two shared a room, Davern insists that he was there in the capacity of Wood’s bodyguard.
Saturday Morning Return To Splendour
During the morning of Saturday, November 28, Wood and Davern returned to Splendour in the dinghy. They spent a few hours on the yacht with Wagner and Walken.
Wood And Walken Went Ashore To Drink
Shortly after arriving back on the yacht, Wood decided to return to the island. Walken went with her. The two went to Doug’s Harbor Reef, a restaurant at Catalina Isthmus, where they began drinking.
Tabercil, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Wagner And Davern Joined Them
Shortly after Wood and Walken arrived at Doug’s Harbor Reef, Wagner and Davern went ashore to join them. All four drank heavily into the night.
Everett Collection, Shutterstock
The Intoxicated Return To Splendour
Between 10:00 and 10:30 pm, Wood, Wagner, Walken, and Davern returned to Splendour. They were all so heavily intoxicated that the restaurant manager made a call to the Harbor Patrol, asking the officers to ensure that the group made it safely back to the yacht.
More Drink-Fueled Arguments
Accounts vary and stories have changed over the years, but one thing is for sure: Once everyone was back on Splendour, Wagner and Wood argued fiercely—and Walken may have added sparks to the fire. It may have been a political argument between Wagner and Walken, which exasperated Wood. Or Wagner, Walken, and Wood may have argued over how Wood prioritized her acting and family responsibilities. Or, Wagner may have expressed frustration about the flirting that seemed to be going on between Wood and Walken.
Wood Retreated To Her Room
Around 10:45 pm, frustrated by the arguing, Wood left the men and went alone to her room. What happened to the actress afterwards remains a mystery.
Warner Bros., Wikimedia Commons
Wood’s Fate Remains Puzzling
Around 11:05 pm, Wagner realized that Wood was not in her room. Wagner, Walken, and Davern searched the boat and realized that the dinghy was missing. They told authorities that they assumed an angry Wood had left Splendour, as she had the previous night—albeit, Davern had accompanied her then.
United Artists, West Side Story (1961)
The Coast Guard Was Alerted—Four Hours Later
Records show that a ship-to-shore call was made at 1:30 am and that the Coast Guard was called at 3:30 am. The time lag between noticing Wood’s disappearance and calling for help has been an issue of concern to investigators in the years since the actress’ demise.
Warner Bros., Wikimedia Commons
Wood’s Body Was Found The Next Morning
Around 8:00 am on Sunday, November 29, Wood’s body was found floating about a mile south of the yacht. Wood was clad in only a nightgown, socks, and a red parka. The dinghy was nearby. Its ignition was in the off position, with the gear in neutral, and the oars were locked—which seems to indicate that she never started it.
The Autopsy Found Superficial Bruising
On Monday, November 30, Dr Joseph Choi of the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy on Wood. He found bruising on her body and arms, and an abrasion on her left cheek, which seemed consistent with an accidental fall into water.
The Autopsy Also Found Alcohol And Medication In Her System
Wood’s blood alcohol level was measured at 0.14%, which is considerably higher than California’s current legal limit of 0.08%. Additionally, traces of motion-sickness medication and painkillers were found in her bloodstream.
Wood’s Demise Was Originally Ruled Accidental
Los Angeles County coroner Thomas Noguchi ruled Wood’s passing as accidental, due to drowning and hypothermia. He suggested that she may have been trying to board the dinghy and missed due to her inebriation.
Did Wood Actually Try to Board The Dinghy?
Both Wagner and Walken theorized that the dinghy may have been banging against the side of the yacht and that the noise may have annoyed Wood or prevented her from sleeping. They suggested that she may have simply wanted to re-tie the dinghy to quell the noise.
Wood Was Terrified Of Dark Water
When Wood was a child, a fortune teller predicted that the actress would die from drowning. The prophecy filled Wood with a life-long fear of water. Wood’s sister, Lana Wood, believes that the actress would have never attempted to pilot the dinghy alone in the dark, but would have instead once again asked Davern for help.
Wood’s Case Was Reopened In 2011
Following new statements from Davern, Wood’s case was reopened in 2011—and his revelation shocked the world. Davern claimed that he lied during the initial investigation, under pressure from Wagner.
Witnesses Corroborated Davern’s Revised Statement
Davern alleges that Wagner actually pushed Wood into the water that November night. Witnesses came forward to corroborate Davern’s new statement. A couple sleeping in a nearby boat claimed that they heard a woman calling out for help, saying that she was drowning. They also heard a man mockingly call out in response, “Okay, honey. We’ll get you”. The couple originally thought the disturbance was related to a nearby party and did not disclose this piece of evidence during the original investigation.
Updates To Wood’s Death Certificate And Autopsy
Authorities updated Wood’s death certificate in 2012, attributing her demise to “drowning and other undetermined factors” rather than the original finding of “accidental drowning”. Her autopsy was also updated, in 2013. The updates state that it could not be definitively determined if the bruising on Wood’s body occurred before she went into the water.
Wagner Was Officially Cleared In 2022
In 2018, Wood’s case was reopened once again, and Wagner was named a “person of interest”. However, in 2022, the actor, then 92, was officially declared cleared of any wrongdoing. With Walken remaining tight-lipped about that night in 1981 and Davern remaining unreliable due to the changes in his stories, Natalie Wood’s last moments are still a mystery.
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