Episode 61: Natalie Wood

Updated: May 29

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Episode Summary of Natalie wood:

Natalie Wood: The Untimely Death of a Hollywood Icon

Today marks the premiere episode of what I hope will become a series exploring the enigmatic Golden Age of Hollywood. As someone who grew up captivated by musicals like "The King and I" and "My Fair Lady," the old Hollywood charm has always held a special place in my heart. However, beneath the surface of glitz and glamour lurks a murky world teeming with secrets, cover-ups, and even possible murder. In this episode, we delve into the life and untimely death of Natalie Wood.

### Disclaimer: A Gentle Reminder

Before we delve into the case, it's crucial to reiterate that the information provided here is gathered from publicly available sources. The opinions formed from this research are solely my own and are not intended to harm anyone mentioned in this episode.

### Natalie Wood: A Personal Connection

Why Natalie Wood? As a child, I was in awe of her role as Maria in "West Side Story." Fast forward to the pandemic; I was working as a makeup artist, struggling to keep my job in a world bound by social distancing. This led me to take a job slinging drinks at the Valley Ho Hotel in Scottsdale. This hotel, unknown to me at the time, was where Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner held their wedding reception. A fellow employee's remark about Robert Wagner killing Natalie Wood piqued my curiosity. Bound by an ample amount of free time, I embarked on a deep dive into her life and death, which became an unintended catalyst for this podcast.

### The Early Years: A Star in the Making

Natalia Zakharenko, born on July 20, 1938, to Russian immigrant parents Maria and Nicholas Zakharenko, would later become the darling of Hollywood, Natalie Wood. Raised in California, Natalie endured a tumultuous family life. Her father was an alcoholic, but it was her mother, Maria, who left a lasting impact. Maria was a quintessential stage mom and firmly believed in a psychic's prophecy that her daughter would become a beautiful star but would die in dark waters. This tale instilled a severe phobia of water in Natalie, which had significant consequences later in her life.

Despite these personal hardships, Natalie found early success in Hollywood, starting with a 15-second part in "Happyland" that got her noticed. Her breakout role came in "Miracle on 34th Street," turning her into a household name. From then on, she was involved in countless projects, but not without experiencing immense pressure and trauma inflicted by her mother.

### Scandalous Allegations

There were dark rumors surrounding Natalie’s life, including that her mother had pushed her into the arms of older, influential men to advance her career. One such rumor involved Frank Sinatra when Natalie was only 15 or 16, a claim corroborated by multiple sources but never proven. Another unsettling story involves a violent sexual assault by an older, married actor, whom Natali’s sister would later name as Kirk Douglas.

Natalie’s first marriage to Robert Wagner, her childhood crush, was another rollercoaster ride. Publicizing their relationship akin to modern-day Hollywood star couples, they were the talk of the town. Their marriage eventually ended in divorce amidst rumors of infidelity and Wagner's potential bisexuality.

### Mental Health Struggles and Failed Relationships

The collapse of her marriage to Wagner and a tumultuous relationship with Warren Beatty deeply affected Natalie. Following these emotional setbacks, she attempted suicide but was fortuitously saved by a friend. Recognizing the need for mental health care, Natalie sought therapy—an admirable decision, especially given the times.

She moved on to marry producer Richard Gregson and gave birth to her first daughter, Natasha. Unfortunately, this too was short-lived, ending in divorce within three years. Several failed relationships later, Natalie found solace in rekindling her marriage with Robert Wagner. They remarried, had another daughter, Courtney, and even bought a luxurious yacht named "Splendor."

### The Fateful Thanksgiving Weekend

The death of Natalie Wood over Thanksgiving weekend in 1981 remains shrouded in mystery, controversy, and suspicions. Along with Wagner, her co-star Christopher Walken, and Dennis Davern, the boat’s caretaker, Natalie set sail for Catalina Island. The evening turned grim after a heated argument reportedly broke out between Wagner and Walken at dinner, resulting in a broken wine bottle. Natalie, apparently fed up, went to her cabin.

Later that night, Wagner reported Natalie and the yacht’s dinghy missing. Strangely, he took almost four hours before alerting the Coast Guard, which many found suspicious. Natalie was eventually found dead, dressed in sleepwear, floating in the ocean a mile away from the yacht.

### More Than Just An Accident?

Initial reports concluded Natalie’s death as an accidental drowning, but further examination raised more questions. Bruises on her body and the position of the dinghy indicated a possible struggle. Why was the dinghy’s motor never started, and why were there claw marks on its hull? Witnesses aboard nearby boats reported hearing screams for help that night, which contradicts the official narrative.

### The Case Re-Opened

Years later, new testimonies and additional scrutiny prompted a reopening of Natalie’s case. Though officially deemed suspicious, Robert Wagner was listed as a person of interest but never charged. He continued to deny any wrongdoing and attributed Natalie’s death to a tragic accident. His reluctance to speak on the record further deepened suspicions.

### My Personal Theory

Drawing from available evidence and personal conjecture, I lean towards the theory that a combination of jealousy, inebriation, and an accidental blow led to Natalie’s fall overboard. Should Wagner bear responsibility? Given the circumstantial evidence, it’s plausible, though far from certain.

What do you think happened that fateful night? I invite you to look at the autopsy report, consider the strange delays, and form your own opinion. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or discuss if you'd like to dive deeper into other dark Hollywood tales.

Please follow, subscribe, and share this episode with friends. Your support means the world to me. Until next time, always remember to stay curious and cautious.