Key Facts at a Glance
Below are verified details about Natalie Wood that are stable, well documented, and unlikely to change. Use this as a reliable baseline whether you have minutes or hours to learn about her career.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Natalie Wood | Official birth certificate |
| Birth Date | July 14, 1938 | Public vital records |
| Birth Place | San Francisco, California, U.S. | Census and biographical registries |
| Died | November 29, 1981 | Coroner’s report and court records |
| Age at Death | 43 | Coroner’s report |
| Cause of Death | Drowning, combined with intoxication and physical trauma | Official coroner and court findings |
| Notable Films | ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ (1955), ‘The Searchers’ (1956), ‘West Side Story’ (1961) | Studio records, film archives |
Who Was Natalie Wood
Natalie Wood was a defining child and adult star of classical Hollywood, active from early childhood into her thirties. Her work spans iconic midcentury dramas and musicals, and her public narrative is tightly bound to questions about youth, celebrity, and the film industry’s pressures. She remains a reference point in discussions of generational talent and the costs of stardom.
Born July 14, 1938, in San Francisco, California, Wood began working in film as a child and progressed to leading roles in major studio productions by her early teens. Her collaborations with prominent directors and co-stars established her as both a box office draw and a serious dramatic performer.
Early Life and Breakthrough
Wood grew up in a working-class family and entered pictures under contract at a very young age, reflecting the common practice of child performers in midcentury cinema. Her early roles emphasized precocity and emotional candor, helping her build a reliable audience while attending school on studio lots.
Breakthrough came with roles that paired her with established leading men, where her naturalism and screen presence stood out amid heightened studio branding. Producers emphasized her everygirl qualities, which contrasted with many peers and widened her appeal beyond child-star expectations.
Signature Roles and Collaborations
Among her most recognized performances are roles in a 1955 social-realist drama about teenage alienation, a 1956 western exploring intergenerational conflict, and a 1961 musical adapting a classic stage show. Each project exposed her to different audiences and critical registers, from intimate character studies to large-scale spectacle.
- Rebel Without a Cause (1955) — explored juvenile disaffection and parental conflict
- The Searchers (1956) — examined mythic themes of frontier life and belonging
- West Side Story (1961) — merged musical storytelling with social tension
These titles remain touchstones in cinema curricula and retrospectives, sustaining interest in her craft long after her career concluded.
Context for Understanding Her Career
Placing Wood’s work in context helps explain both her achievements and vulnerabilities. She matured in an era when studios managed every aspect of stars’ lives, from image to schooling, which could amplify talent but also expose young performers to intense control and scrutiny.
Her later adult roles attempted to reconcile earlier typecasting with desires for more complex characters, a common struggle among child performers transitioning to mature parts. Industry attention to cost, scheduling, and cross-marketability influenced casting and project choices at every stage.
Documentary and Biographical Interest
Wood’s life and career have been examined through documentaries, books, and legal proceedings, reflecting public fascination with the intersection of fame, family, and risk. These materials often highlight gaps between studio narratives and private experiences, offering varied perspectives on responsibility and legacy.
Scholars and journalists revisit her work to assess artistic merit, labor conditions, and the evolving treatment of young people in entertainment. Archival materials, including scripts, production notes, and recorded interviews, support ongoing research and reinterpretation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are concise answers to common questions about facts that are widely corroborated by official records and reputable sources.
| Question | Factual Answer | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| When was Natalie Wood born? | July 14, 1938 | Birth certificate and biographies |
| How did Natalie Wood die? | Drowning, with intoxication and physical trauma contributing | Coroner’s report and judicial findings |
| What are three of her most iconic films? | Rebel Without a Cause (1955), The Searchers (1956), West Side Story (1961) | Studio archives and film canon references |
| Was Wood ever married? | Yes, she was married to actor Robert Wagner | Marriage records and credible biographies |
| Does any estate or foundation manage her legacy? | Administrative matters have been handled by family representatives and legal entities | Court filings and industry publications |
Comparing Child and Adult Career Phases
Understanding how Wood’s early visibility evolved into adult work clarifies why certain projects remain emblematic and why gaps in later output are discussed in biographies.
| Phase | Characteristics | Industry Context |
|---|---|---|
| Child Performer (approx. ages 4–12) | Carefully managed image; schooling on lot; typecasting as wholesome or precocious | High studio control; labor protections for minors evolving |
| Teen Leading Lady (approx. ages 13–19) | Transition to complex roles; increased press and public attention | New emphasis on marketability; cross-promotion with music and fashion |
| Adult Career (20s and beyond) | Attempts at dramatic depth; navigating changing tastes and industry practices | Greater negotiation expectations; awareness of personal brand and audience |
Verified Career Highlights
These highlights reflect roles and facts most consistently cited in authoritative sources. They are useful for quickly grasping why Wood remains notable without speculating on unreported details.
- Debuted as a child in period comedy-drama, gaining attention for naturalistic reactions.
- Starred in a landmark 1955 film addressing teenage unrest, earning critical recognition.
- Led a major 1961 musical that redefined screen musical storytelling and integration.
- Worked across genres, demonstrating range from intimate drama to large-scale musicals.
- Continues to be studied in cinema programs and referenced in popular culture retrospectives.
Closing Context
Natalie Wood’s career offers a lens on midcentury Hollywood’s treatment of young performers, the shifting expectations for women on screen, and the long afterlife of certain films in public memory. Reliable records, ongoing scholarship, and repeated viewings of her best-known work support a stable, factual understanding of who she was and why she remains referenced today.