Natalie Wood by Vanessa Haenggi

Natalie Wood

 

As a four year old rising actress, Natalie Wood entered the world of fame by starring in the popular film, “Happy Land” (Bio). Unaware of the dangers that would lie ahead, young and naïve, Natalie Wood, would later face the harsh reality of life.  Natalie Wood captured the hearts of many Americans nationwide. Her sister Lana Wood described her as a “straight A student” and many reporters pronounced her marriage with Robert Wagner to be “one of the best in Hollywood” (Bio). Natalie Wood’s perfect mirage and image would be shattered on November 1981, when she accidentally drowned after an alleged, drunken, fight with her husband (Bio). It was believed to be a conspiracy since Natalie did not drink and she was afraid of the water. It would be later theorized that Robert Wagner had killed her, but this is still an unsolved mystery today.

Natalie Wood captured the hearts and eyes of the American public during the debut of her first childhood film, Happy Land (Biography). Although Natalie seemed to have it all; her life was considered to be difficult and stressful (Biography). Ever since Natalie starred in her first movie, her mother urged her to make the director fall in love with her, therefore planting a root in show biz (Biography). Natalie was at a constant battle between her mother and her career. Natalie loved her mother very dearly, but sometimes she was forced to play roles that did not

satisfy the young actress. Nevertheless she continued to listen to her mother and even starred in the film. “The Searchers”, which Natalie admitted was her least favorite production.

            Even though Natalie managed to surpass her mother’s pressures, she continued to maintain the image of a sweet and outgoing, brown eyed girl. However she was still quite anxious around the men that she had romantic ties with (Vanity Fair). One man who would later prove that statement would be her very own husband, Robert Wagner.

            Natalie and Robert were considered the power couple of Hollywood at their time (Vanity Fair). Though Natalie married young, the two were plastered on each magazine cover you could find on the bustling streets of the concrete jungle. However one day the couple separated and Natalie fell into a deep depression and tried killing herself by overdosing on drugs in 1966 (Biography.com).

 

After another failed marriage with Richard Gregson, she returned to her first love, Robert Wagner. This second marriage with Robert would prove to be different, as she devoted her time to her family rather than her career (Biography.com). Robert was incredibly jealous of his vulnerable and unique wife, so much so that he fought with her co-star one night on a boat (Biography.com). This scene was quite shocking to Natalie’s relatives and close friends due to their knowledge of Natalie’s fear of water (Vanity Fair). Natalie was a woman of self-dignity and morals. Natalie never drank alcohol nor did drugs while she was sane, which surprises family members as to why Natalie would even consider getting on that fateful boat that would row along the current towards her soon to be inevitable death.

Natalie Wood’s mysterious case was entailed by a series of conspiracy theories. Who would ever imagine that such a young and talented woman would die at such an abnormal age? Still to this day, the exact cause of Natalie’s death is undetermined. Natalie’s family believes it was a homicide, while others point out that Natalie had a very troubled life, therefore leading to the events the night of her death.

            Natalie’s sister, Lana Wood, believed that it was in fact a homicide and said, “She never liked the water and she would never go near that dinghy voluntarily (DailyMail).” Lana recalled her mother telling Natalie at a very young age that she would meet her death by drowning in ‘dark water’ (DailyMail). Ever since then, Natalie was in fact so scared that she couldn’t even set foot in her own pool (DailyMail). Therefore leaving her family baffled as to why she would even get on a boat, when she couldn’t be near water her entire life.

            On the other hand, the captain of the yacht “publicly blamed” Robert Wagner for the drowning of Natalie Wood (Telegraph). While it’s not believed that Robert killed his wife bare-handed, he did admit to not helping her when she allegedly went over-board.  Since then, many have claimed that Natalie and Robert had a fight caused by Robert’s jealousy and ultimately leading to her falling overboard. Robert in the end, due to his anger, decided not to help Natalie, who could not swim, which caused her death (Telegraph).

            One website claims that Natalie walked in on her husband Robert Wagner having sex with one of their guests, Chris Walken (DailyMail). It is believed that Robert and Chris both assaulted Natalie which explains the bruises on her wrist and other parts of her body (DailyMail). It would be clear as to why they had assaulted Natalie due to the widely frowned upon notion of gay rights. Fearing that Natalie would divorce and tell the world the scandal, they eventually threw her off of the yacht knowing she could not swim, leaving her to drown to her death rather than dealing with the press.

One of my personal theories is that she used her depression and her affection for Robert Wagner to explain her changed inhibitions. That night it was possible that Natalie was drunk and had gotten on the boat without thinking.   A person who is in love is willing to do anything for the person they love even if it means facing their greatest fears. Natalie maybe got on the boat to be with Robert, but accidentally fell into the water in the late night, where she could not be seen or heard. It is possible that Natalie’s case could have been an accident instead of a homicide committed by a person who claims he loves her.

 

Even to this day Natalie’s sister Lana, fights the court so that Robert can be brought to justice (CelebrityDirtyLaundry). Robert still sticks to his claim that there was no way he had killed his own wife even though Lana is stuck on the fact. She claims that Robert is only protected solely due to his Hollywood status, giving him the opportunity to pull a few strings (CelebrityDirtyLaundry).

          Although to this day, Natalie’s mysterious death is still undetermined for one, notable, reason. It is hard to believe that a man who claimed he loved Natalie to be able to have cold blood on his hands. On the other hand, it is very possible that the tabloids portrayed the two lovebirds as a claimed fairytale, for we don’t know how their marriage truly was. For all we know their marriage could have been brutally abusive and emotionally straining.

Natalie was America’s sweetheart and everyone knew how incredibly vulnerable and sweet the actress was. Hopefully sooner or later, Natalie’s case can finally have a true verdict, and whoever or whatever caused the death to be put to justice. Natalie deserves to rest in peace, as well as her family who also deserves to move on with their lives instead of being struck with a reminder everyday of their fallen angel.

 

Works Cited

Bio.com. A&E Networks Television. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

 

"As Police Reopen the Natalie Wood Case, What Really Happened on the 'Splendour' on November 28, 1981? – Telegraph Blogs." News As Police Reopen the Natalie Wood Case What Really Happened on the Splendour on November 28 1981 Comments. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

 

"Natalie Wood's Death, Still Shrouded in Mystery-and the Clues That Remain." Vanity Fair. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

 

Reporter, Daily. "Christopher Walken Stays Quiet over Reopening of Natalie Wood Drowning Case." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

 

"Robert Wagner Arrest Over Natalie Wood Death Demanded by Sister Lana Wood (PHOTO)." Celeb Dirty Laundry Robert Wagner Arrest Over Natalie Wood Death Demanded by Sister Lana Wood PHOTO Comments. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.