She first came into the viewing public as Susan Walker, the little girl who had doubts about Santa Claus in Miracle on 34th Street in 1947. Her real name however was Natasha Gurdin and she was born in 1938 to Maria and Nicholas Gurdin, Russian emigrants who changed their name to Gurdin from Zakharenko before arriving in America. Natasha changed her name to Natalie Wood when she was 4 and was given a small part in Happy Land.
Natalie Wood's Movies
But it was little Susan Walker that made America stand up and take notice of the little girl with the big brown eyes. Natalie soon became a hit is almost every movie she starred in, from Rebel without a Cause to Bob &Carol& Ted &Alice.
She won a Golden Globe nomination for This Property is Condemned. She dated some of Hollywood’s hottest leading men including Elvis and Warren Beatty. After a harsh break-up with Warren Beatty in 1966 she attempted suicide but got help from a psychiatrist and did not make a movie for over 3 years.
The great love of her life, however was Robert Wagner. The couple was married twice, the first time in 1957 and the last time in 1972.
Natalie Wood's Marriages
Briefly between the two marriages, (in 1969) Natalie married a British producer, Richard Gregson. Her first daughter, Natasha Gregson was born a little over a year into the marriage. However, when Natasha was just 10 months old the marriage fell apart. Natalie dated again but Wagner came back into her life and they realized they still loved each other.
Natalie’s second daughter, Courtney, was born in 1974 and Natalie focused all her attention on taking care of her baby. She did appear in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1976 and won a best actress award for From Here to Eternity in 1979.
In 1981, Natalie moved to North Carolina to make Brainstorm ,a science fiction movie that starred Christopher Walken. It has been reported that Wagner resented the move to North Carolina but that Natalie felt it would jumpstart her floundering movie career. Natalie brought Walken with her for a boat trip to the Catalina Islands.
Natalie's Mysterious Death
Her husband and boat captain Dennis Davern were also on board. The threesome dined out on the 28th and it is reported that Natalie became very intoxicated. On board their boat, the Splendor, later that evening an argument ensued between Wagner and Natalie.
Her body was found the next morning floating wearing a nightgown and a down vest. Natalie had given numerous interviews were she spoke of her fear of dark waters. Being unable to swim she had an uneasy feeling about large expanses of water. At the time, despite rumors of foul play, the coroner ruled the death accidental.
The controversy has been opened again with Dennis Davern stating that he lied in the original investigation and that he felt Wagner had something to do with the drowning. If the rumor is true that she had too much to drink, the question still remains as to why she was messing with the dinghy with her fear of water.
Natalie’s body when pulled from the water was covered in multiple bruises and witnesses have come forward with statements of hearing a woman scream “help me, I am drowning”. Wagner still insist it was a tragic accident, but Lana Wood, Natalie’s younger sister, states she has always felt that Wagner knew more than he was telling.
In her book about her sister, Natalie, A Memoir by Her Sister, Lana states “Wagner’s behavior was a disappointment to her after the accident.” This month homicide investigators have decided, after being contacted by an anonymous source, to reopen the accidental drowning case. The information provided by the source provided enough information to cause the homicide bureau to take another look at the investigation from 1981.The Sheriff’s office did state that Robert Wagner is not considered a suspect.
Whatever is revealed in the coming months, the world still lost a great actress in 1981. While her image is available through her work, it is sad that such a great life could be cut tragically short. The world will be interested to hear what this new investigation discovers.
Brenda Gargus - Brenda Gargus has a Masters' degree in Psychology and an undergraduate degree in Education. She has taught for 29 years in a variety of ...
