Natalie Wood: Rise to Stardom as a Child Actress
Natalie Wood was Hollywood royalty—a child star who captured hearts in classic films like Miracle on 34th Street before transitioning smoothly into more mature roles. Her natural talent and charm made her one of the most popular and bankable actresses of the 1950s and 60s.
Landing Her First Role
Natalie’s mother, Maria Gurdin, was determined to make her daughter a star. Maria arranged for 4-year-old Natalie to be noticed by director Irving Pichel at a Hollywood restaurant. This led to her first role, an uncredited part in the 1943 film Happy Land.
Table 1. Natalie Wood’s first credited acting role
| Film | Year | Age | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomorrow Is Forever | 1946 | 8 | Margaret Ludwig |
Her first credited role came at age 8 playing Margaret Ludwig in Tomorrow Is Forever. Though it was a small part, Natalie displayed maturity beyond her years and impressed director Irving Pichel. This landed her a central role in her next film, 1947’s Miracle on 34th Street.
Breakthrough Role in Miracle on 34th Street
Natalie had her big break playing the skeptical child Susan Walker opposite seasoned actor Edmund Gwenn in Miracle on 34th Street. Their on-screen chemistry delighted critics and moviegoers alike.
Life magazine wrote: “The most talented child cinema actress of her age, an 8-year-old, is Natalie Wood. As the little girl in Miracle on 34th Street, she plays with rare ability, holding her own with such seasoned troupers as Maureen O’Hara and Edmund Gwenn.”
Table 2. Accolades for young Natalie Wood following Miracle on 34th Street
| Award | Year | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Box Office Blue Ribbon Award | 1948 | 10 |
| Critics’ Award | 1948 | 10 |
The film earned Natalie a Box Office Blue Ribbon Award as the year’s “Most Promising Juvenile Player of 1947.” She also received a Critics Award for Best Child Actress of 1947.
Clearly, young Natalie was a talent to watch. Over the next decade, she would star in several classics, honing her skills as she navigated the ups and downs of the studio system.
String of Notable Performances
Following her breakout, Natalie entered her most prolific period. Between 1947-1961, she starred in 19 films as a juvenile performer.
Some of her notable roles included:
- Dean Stockwell’s sister in 1948’s The Green Promise. Critics praised her emotional death scene.
- Montgomery Clift’s daughter in 1949’s The Big Steal. This was her first pairing with future Rebel Without a Cause co-star Clift.
- Orphaned air crash survivor in 1951’s The Blue Veil. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe.
- Judy Garland’s younger sister in the musical comedy Just for You in 1952.
Table 3. Accolades earned by Natalie Wood as a young actress
| Award | Film | Year | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Globe | The Blue Veil | 1951 | 13 |
| Golden Globe Best Juvenile Actress | Miracle on 34th Street | 1954 | 16 |
She continued collecting accolades during this period as well. By 16, Natalie won her second Golden Globe for Miracle on 34th Street as Most Promising Newcomer, honoring her work 7 years prior.
Transitioning to Adult Roles
While many child stars struggled to find roles into adulthood, Natalie gracefully transitioned into more mature parts:
- At 17, she starred opposite James Dean in 1955’s Rebel Without a Cause as Judy, a rebellious teenage girl who falls in with the wrong crowd.
- In 1961’s Splendor in the Grass she compellingly played unstable 1920s teenager Wilma opposite Warren Beatty. Her performance earned her a Best Actress Academy Award nomination.
So while Natalie achieved fame as a child actress, her talent and poise enabled her to thrive into adulthood as well. She continued starring in hit films throughout the 1960s and beyond.
Why Was Natalie Such a Successful Child Star?
Natalie possessed a rare set of attributes that made her shine as a young performer:
Raw talent and emotional depth: Even from early ages, Natalie exhibited maturity in her performances that stunned audiences and critics. She could compellingly convey complex emotions like grief, anger, disillusionment.
Professionalism on set: Natalie was focused, consistent, and cooperative during filming. She happily endured long hours, nerves, pressure—earning a reputation as the consummate pro.
Strong support network: Natalie’s family protected her from damaging studio politics and overwork. They helped guide her career choices while providing encouragement.
Ultimately, Natalie’s screen vitality and skill enabled her to avoid struggles that derailed many other child celebrities. While fame always extracts a price, she managed to play iconic roles across three decades in Hollywood.
Key Questions People Ask About Natalie Wood’s Child Acting Career
Natalie Wood became an icon for her generation thanks to her memorable childhood film roles. Her early fame and success still intrigues fans decades later. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this legendary actress:
How old was Natalie Wood when she started acting?
Natalie was only 4 years old when she landed her first acting role in the 1943 film Happy Land. This uncredited part kickstarted her quick rise to fame just a few years later with Miracle on 34th Street.
Did Natalie Wood star in any Christmas films as a child?
Yes! Natalie had a central role in the beloved 1947 holiday classic Miracle on 34th Street. She played the skeptical Susan Walker opposite Edmund Gwenn’s Kris Kringle. Their chemistry and charm helped cement the film as required Christmas viewing for generations to come.
What famous child actors did Natalie Wood work with early in her career?
During her prolific juvenile acting period, Natalie starred alongside several other big child stars of the era. These included Margaret O’Brien in The Green Promise (1948), Dean Stockwell in Stars in My Crown (1950), and Beverly Washburn in Just for You (1952).
Of course, one of her most iconic partnerships was with James Dean in the 1955 hit Rebel Without a Cause. Though older, this represented Dean’s own early breakout role before his tragic death shortly after filming.
Was Natalie Wood successful as an adult actress?
Absolutely! While many child stars struggled to transition to more mature roles, Natalie flourished due to her acting range and professionalism. She earned a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for 1961’s Splendor in the Grass. She then starred in major hits like West Side Story (1961), Love with the Proper Stranger (1963), and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969).
So while Natalie charmed audiences as a juvenile performer, she capably managed the leap to more sophisticated adult fare as well over the ensuing decades.
Why were Natalie’s parents so determined to make her a child star?
Natalie’s hugely ambitious mother Maria drove her daughter’s career forward from the very beginning. Both Maria and Natalie’s father Nikolai dealt with disappointments in their own acting aspirations. So they transferred their intense dreams onto their exceptionally talented daughter.
The level of Natalie’s fame and success so early brought complications for sure. But she also credited her parents’ unwavering belief and care for enabling her rare childhood achievements as well.
Challenges Common for Child Actors Like Natalie Wood
For all her talent, charm, and professionalism, Natalie Wood still faced difficulties growing up as a child performer in the public eye. These same challenges often derail youthful actors to this day.
Mental Health Issues
Constant scrutiny coupled with irregular school and constant work schedules can negatively impact mental well-being. Anxiety, depression and other issues may result. Therapy and strong personal/family support are essential protectively measures.
Loss of Privacy
Being world-famous at such young ages robs child stars of privacy when forming their identities. Natalie was recognized everywhere which prevented normal interactions. Setting clear boundaries preserves some semblance of regular childhood experiences.
Intense Pressure and Stress
Carrying films and dealing with high industry expectations is worrying even for adults. For children who also face school, social lives, and family demands, it can feel emotionally crushing without proper coping techniques.
Career and Life Disruptions
The non-stop schedule of filming, promotion, and other responsibilities forces child performers to sacrifice friend/family connections and schooling. This can inhibit personal growth into adulthood, requiring re-adaptation.
Risky Behaviors
The lack of stability coupled with abundant fame and money empowers some young stars towards substance abuse issues, unhealthy relationships and other concerning conduct without a protective support team.
Natalie bore a lot on her shoulders and encountered difficulties during periods of her early career due to these common child actor challenges. Still, the guidance of her parents and her own determination to perform enabled her to achieve what few child stars can.
Conclusion
Even over 75 years after first lighting up the screen as a juvenile performer, Natalie Wood remains an object of fascination. As a child actress, her poise, talent, and professionalism captivated viewers in classic films like Miracle on 34th Street and Rebel Without a Cause.
Yet Natalie was more than just a youthful flash in the pan. Her skill and work ethic enabled her to transition smoothly to challenging adult roles over the ensuing decades. Movies like Splendor in the Grass and West Side Story allowed her to showcase dramatic talents while cementing her status as a generational icon.
Questions still linger about Natalie Wood’s shocking drowning at just age 43. The mysterious 1981 circumstances cut short a storied career that launched decades prior when she was just a hopeful child playing her first Hollywood role.
But by then, Natalie had already compiled a stunning acting resume across child and adult roles. Her strange death occupies public intrigue now. Yet she endures as a beloved star thanks primarily to the joy, humour and emotion she brought to audiences over multiple stages of her life as a rare star who aged gracefully in front of the camera.
Natalie Wood remains the consummate screen legend—a relatable talent millions watched mature from innocent young girl into self-assured leading lady. That unlikely yet wondrous Hollywood journey still enthralles us all these years later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions given below:
Natalie Wood became world-famous playing iconic roles across three decades in cinema. But her uncommon poise and emotional depth were evident from her very first films as a young girl.
Here are answers to some common questions people have about this legendary star’s quick rise to stardom beginning as a child actress:
What film first made Natalie Wood famous?
That would undoubtedly be the 1947 holiday classic, Miracle on 34th Street. At just 8 years old, Natalie held her own acting alongside veterans like Edmund Gwenn. As skeptical Susan Walker, her chemistry and charm instantly shot her to stardom.
How did Natalie Wood get discovered as an actress?
Natalie’s fiercely determined mother Maria arranged for Natalie, then just 4, to be noticed by director Irving Pichel at a Hollywood restaurant in 1943. That brief introduction secured her an uncredited role in her very first movie, Happy Land.
Was Natalie Wood a successful child actor even after Miracle on 34th Street?
Absolutely! Natalie flourished in the years following that Christmas hit by starring in nearly 20 more films before turning 18. Standout movies included The Green Promise (1948), The Blue Veil (1951) and Rebel Without a Cause (1955). Her budding dramatic talents earned great reviews and awards attention despite her young age.
Did Natalie have any acting struggles transitioning from child to adult roles?
Incredibly, Natalie avoided pitfalls that derailed many child performers trying to make that leap. She successfully navigated to mature work in films like Splendor in the Grass (1961) and Gypsy (1962). Natalie received an Oscar nomination for the former during this challenging transitional period—a testament to her tremendous talents and rare adaptability.
Who were Natalie’s biggest acting inspirations when she was starting out?
Natalie greatly admired Shirley Temple, a fellow child superstar, along with actresses Vivien Leigh and Joan Crawford in her youth. As she grew older, she praised innovative talents like Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift as influences too on her continually improving dramatic acting skills entering adulthood.
