Film actress, born in San Francisco, California, USA, the child of Russian immigrants. She began as a child star, becoming known for her roles in Rebel Without a Cause (1955, Oscar nomination), Splendor in the Grass (1961), and West Side Story (1961, Oscar nomination). Later films included Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice (1969) and Meteor (1979). She drowned in a boating accident off Catalina Island, CA.
Natalie Wood|
Natalie Wood from the cover of Natasha:The Biography of Natalie Wood by Suzanne Finstad |
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| Born: |
July 20, 1938 San Francisco, California, USA |
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| Died: |
November 29, 1981 Catalina Island, California, USA |
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Spouse: | Robert Wagner |
Natalie Wood (July 20, 1938 – November 29, 1981) was an American film actress.
Early life and acting career
Wood was born Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko in San Francisco, California, to Russian Orthodox immigrants, Nikolai and Maria Zakharenko.
At the age of 16 Natalie celebrated her release from child-star status by winning the role of Judy in Nicholas Ray's Rebel Without a Cause, co-starring James Dean, Sal Mineo, and Dennis Hopper, and, as most biographers claim, by sleeping with Ray and Hopper.
Relationships
Among the men Wood frequently dated were singer Elvis Presley and actors Raymond Burr, Dennis Hopper, Warren Beatty, Nick Adams, Tab Hunter, Michael Caine and Scott Marlowe. Wood biographer and Hollywood screenwriter Gavin Lambert also confirms that Wood had studio-arranged dates with homo- or bisexual actors, the first of which was with Nick Adams.
According to Lambert and his reviewer David Ehrenstein, Wood later even did her part for gay history by supporting homosexual playwright Mart Crowley in a manner that made it possible for him to write his play, The Boys in the Band.
Concerning a possible relationship between Wood and young homosexual actor Raymond Burr, Wood biographer Suzanne Finstad cites Dennis Hopper as saying, "I just can't wrap my mind around that one.
Contrary to popular notions, Gavin Lambert wrote that Wood's casting in Rebel Without a Cause did not lead to a romance with co-star James Dean: "Like many people, she was fascinated by his charm.
Drowning at Catalina Island
Wood's two marriages to actor Robert Wagner were publicized and stormy, but they were reconciled at the time of her death.
Wood was on board the yacht with Wagner and actor Christopher Walken.
At the time of her death Wood was filming Brainstorm and preparing to make her stage debut in a Los Angeles production of Anastasia, opposite Dame Wendy Hiller.
Awards and nominations
Successful nominations in bold.
1956:
Academy Award: Rebel Without a Cause (1955) — Best Actress in a Supporting Role1957:
Golden Globe Award — Most Promising Newcomer1958:
Golden Laurel Awards: Marjorie Morningstar (1958) — Top Female Dramatic Performance Golden Laurel Awards — Top Female Star (thirteenth place)1959:
Golden Laurel Awards — Top Female Star (seventh place)1960:
Golden Laurel Awards — Top Female Star (ninth place)1961:
Golden Apple Awards: Sour Apple — Least Cooperative Actress Golden Laurel Awards — Top Female Star (fourteenth place)1962:
Academy Award: Splendor in the Grass (1961) — Best Actress in a Leading Role Golden Laurel Awards — Top Female Star (fifth place) Golden Laurel Awards: Splendor in the Grass (1961) — Top Female Dramatic Performance (third place)1963:
British Academy of Film and Television Arts: Splendor in the Grass (1961) — Best Foreign Actress Golden Globes Awards: Gypsy (1962) — Best Motion Picture Actress: Musical/Comedy Golden Laurel Awards: Gypsy (1962) — Top Female Musical Performance (second place)1964:
Academy Award: Love with the Proper Stranger (1963) — Best Actress in a Leading Role Golden Globe Award: Love with the Proper Stranger (1963) — Best Motion Picture Actress: Drama Golden Laurel Awards — Top Female Star (third place) Golden Laurel Awards: Love with the Proper Stranger (1963) (second place) Mar del Plata Film Festival: Love with the Proper Stranger (1963) — Best Actress1965:
Golden Laurel Awards — Female Star (sixth place) Golden Laurel Awards: Sex and the Single Girl (1964) — Comedy Performance (fifth place)1966:
Golden Apple Awards: Sour Apple — Least Cooperative Actress Golden Globe Award: Inside Daisy Clover (1965) — Best Motion Picture Actress: Musical/Comedy Golden Globe Award — World Film Favorite: Female Golden Laurel Awards — Female Star (eighth place)1967:
Golden Globe Award: This Property Is Condemned (1966) — Best Motion Picture Actress: Drama Golden Laurel Awards — Female Star (third place) Golden Laurel Awards: This Property is Condemned (1966) — Female Dramatic Performance (third place)1968:
Golden Laurel Awards — Female Star (twelfth place)1970:
Golden Laurel Awards — Female Star (ninth place)1971:
Golden Laurel Awards — Female Star (ninth place)1980:
Golden Globe Award: From Here to Eternity (1979) (mini) — Best TV Actress: Drama
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