Natalie Wood (born Natalie Zacharenko) began her acting career at the age of four.
Wood’s mother was a Russian refugee who fled Russia to China before making her way to America in 1930. Wood’s father, was also from Russia, changed their family name from Zacharenko to Gurdin a year after Wood’s birth.
The family moved to Santa Rosa, California, in 1942, and a year later, at the age of four, Natalie (her last time changed to “Wood” by film executives) appeared for the first time on screen in the 1943 war film, The Moon is Down.
Orson Welles, after appearing with Wood in 1946 film, Tomorrow Is Forever, described Wood as “so good, she was terrifying,” adding, “Natalie doesn’t act from the script; she acts from the heart.”
Wood landed her first big starring role in Christmas classic, Miracle on 34th Street, in 1948, and became so popular, she was invited to appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Wood appeared in numerous films and television projects over the next decade, often playing “daughter” roles, but at the age of 16, Wood transitioned from child actor to leading lady with her role in the 1955 film, Rebel Without a Cause, opposite James Dean. Wood signed a long-term deal with Warner Bros. to secure the part and was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 1955 Academy Awards.
The following year, Wood graduated from high school and began searching for more serious roles, in lieu of the “girlfriend roles” being offered by Warner Bros. Natalie got her wish in 1961 when she was cast in Splendor in the Grass, opposite Warren Beatty. The film rejuvenated Wood’s career, earning her best actress nominations at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and BAFTRA Awards, proof Wood had the stuff to be a leading lady.
Wood was cast as Maria in the iconic film adaptation of stage musical, West Side Story, in 1961. Although Wood lip-synced to the voice of Marni Nixon (who also sang for Deborah Kerr in The King and I and Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady), Wood was praised for her performance. West Side Story was a box office smash and won 10 Academy awards, including Best Picture.
Wood landed another musical role the following year, starring in Gypsy with Rosalind Russell, but this time Wood did the singing, herself. Yet another success, Wood was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress.
Natalie’s story definitely doesn’t end here. Stay tuned for PART 2 later today.
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