Silver Screen CollectionGetty Images Audiences fell in love with Natalie Wood as the dubious Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street, but the breakout role was far from her last. She continued to make a name for herself in Hollywood for decades, thanks to her glamorous style, tabloid-ridden romances, and Oscar-nominated performances. Now, decades after the actress’s tragic death, we’re taking a look back at the life of Natalie Wood—from her days as a child star to her award-winning film career. 1 of 40 1938: A Young Natalia The actress was born Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko on July 20, 1938. Both her parents were Russian immigrants living in San Francisco, California. 2 of 40 1943: Her First Role Wood’s first acting jobs were uncredited roles in the 1943 films The Moon Is Down and Happy Land. It was her performance in the latter, however, that caught the attention of director Irving Pichel, setting the four-year-old actress up for success. 3 of 40 1945: Becoming Natalie Wood In 1945, Wood’s mother moved the family to Los Angeles on the advice of Irving Pichel, who took an interest in the child star. It was Pichel who suggested that the young actress adopt the Americanized version of her name, Natalie, and change her surname to Wood, after director Sam Wood. 4 of 40 1946: A Child Actress Wood made a big splash in her first major film role as Margaret Ludwig in Tomorrow Is Forever. She starred opposite Orson Welles who referred to the… Click below to read the full story from Esquire
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