Remembering Natalie Wood on Her 85th Birthday: A Life of Glamour and a Death Shrouded in Mystery

Natalie Wood, a Hollywood icon, would have turned 85 this year.

Born on July 20, 1938, she led a life filled with glitz and glamour until her untimely death on November 29, 1981.

Wood's tragic demise continues to captivate the public's imagination due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding it.

On that fateful weekend, Wood and her husband, Robert Wagner, along with their guest Christopher Walken and captain Dennis Davern, were aboard their boat, named Splendour, in Catalina to celebrate Thanksgiving.

While the events leading up to her death are well-documented, the subsequent years have been plagued by unanswered questions and conspiracy theories.

Wood's lifeless body was discovered floating in the water, wearing a flannel nightgown and down jacket.

Initially declared an accident on December 1, 1981, L.A. County coroner Thomas Noguchi speculated that Wood had fallen into the water while attempting to board an inflatable dinghy.

He cited intoxication as a contributing factor that impaired her ability to respond to the emergency situation.

However, numerous lingering questions remained unanswered.

Why would Wood venture onto a dinghy on a cold and rainy night?

Were she and Wagner engaged in a heated argument prior to her death?

And what about the unexplained bruises found on her body and arms?

Fuelled by tabloid headlines, the speculation and inquiries continued for decades.

In his 2008 memoir, Wagner proposed a theory suggesting that Wood fell into the water while reattaching the dinghy that had been striking the boat.

The following year, Davern published his own book, alleging that Wagner had argued with Wood and ultimately pushed her overboard.

Davern admitted to withholding information in 1981 due to Wagner's intimidation.

Witnesses on nearby boats claimed to have heard arguments but did not come forward as the incident had been ruled an accident.

The mainstream media eventually joined in the speculation, leading the L.A. County Sheriff's Office to reopen the investigation in November 2011.

The cause of death was then changed to “drowning and other undetermined factors.”

Lieutenant John Corina and Detective Ralph Hernandez publicly stated that the facts surrounding Wood's death did not align.

While Wagner refused to cooperate with investigators, he was named a person of interest in February 2018.

It is important to note, however, that he was never officially declared a suspect.

In 2021, Wood's sister, Lana, released a book in which she pointed the finger at Wagner, stating, “I don't think that it was planned.

It's not first-degree anything, but it happened.”

Christopher Walken, who was present on the boat during the incident, has remained silent throughout the years.

In 1981, Walken co-starred with Wood in the science-fiction film “Brainstorm,” directed by Douglas Trumbull.

The film's production was temporarily halted following Wood's death as the industry debated whether to continue or abandon it.

“Brainstorm” was eventually completed and released in the fall of 1983.

However, Wood's death cast a shadow over the film and her entire career for some.

Despite this, she left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

Wood began her acting career at a young age, appearing in films such as “Scudda Hoo!

Scudda Hay!”

and “Father Was a Fullback.”

However, it was her role in the 1947 Christmas classic, “Miracle on 34th Street,” that propelled her into the spotlight.

In 1955, she solidified her status as a talented actress with her performance in “Rebel Without a Cause,” which earned her the first of three Oscar nominations at the age of 17.

Tragically, her co-stars in the film, James Dean and Sal Mineo, also met untimely deaths.

Wood continued to showcase her talent in notable films such as “The Searchers” (1956), “Marjorie Morningstar” (1958), and “Kings Go Forth” (1958).

However, it was in 1961 that she reached new heights with her roles in “Splendor in the Grass” and “West Side Story,” earning her second Oscar nomination for the former.

Critics praised her performances, describing her as captivating and demonstrating great cinematic flair.

Her final Oscar nomination came in 1963 for “Love With the Proper Stranger,” a daring film for its time.

Wood portrayed a character who becomes pregnant after a one-night stand with Steve McQueen.

She later worked alongside rising star Robert Redford in films such as “Inside Daisy Clover” (1965) and “This Property Is Condemned” (1966).

Interestingly, Wood and Redford briefly crossed paths during their time at Van Nuys High School.

Although Wood's acting career experienced peaks and valleys, her enduring legacy lies in the timeless classics she left behind.

Younger generations may be unfamiliar with much of her work, but her tragic death remains a somber reminder of the harsh realities that life can bring.

Throughout her career, Wood portrayed characters who were reliable and others who were emotionally fragile.

Audiences adored her and longed for her characters to find happiness — a testament to both her talent and the cruel disparities between real life and the silver screen.