Natalie Wood: The All American Actress "I raised my daughter to be a movie star" those were the words of Maria Gurdin talking of her daughter. On July 20, 1938 a star was born in San Francisco. Natasha Nikolaevna Zacharenko (later changed to Natalie Wood for easier pronunciation) was born to Russian parents Maria and Nicholas Gurdin. Natalie was born a true star. By the age of four she had already snagged an ensemble role in a …showed first 75 words of 502 total…

…showed last 75 words of 502 total…had a painkiller and a seasickness pill in her bloodstream, she was also intoxicated. Although the way Natalie ended up in the water is still unknown, it is known that she is loved and remembered. Natalie changed America, starring in over fifty movies such as West Side Story and Gypsy. She impacted many lives and held a marriage, a productive career, and two children. Natalie is a true American actress that will never be forgotten.