Natalie Wood (San Francisco, 1938 – Santa Catalina Island, 1981) was an American actress whose career successfully transitioned from celebrated child actress to adult Hollywood star.

She began her career at a very young age, gaining recognition in films such as *Miracle on 34th Street* (1947). Her role as Judy in the iconic *Rebel Without a Cause* (1955), alongside James Dean, earned her her first Academy Award nomination and cemented her status as a generational icon.

Her most memorable performances include Maria in the musical *West Side Story* (1961) and Deanie Loomis in Elia Kazan's dramatic *Splendor in the Grass* (1961), for which she received another nomination. Natalie Wood was known for her ability to embody complex, vulnerable yet intense female characters, often grappling with deep emotional and social conflicts.

She received three Academy Award nominations throughout her career. Other notable films include *Gypsy* (1962), *Love with the Proper Stranger* (1963, her third nomination), and the satirical comedy *Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice* (1969). Her versatility and magnetic screen presence made her one of Hollywood's brightest stars of her era.