Lana Wood, sibling to the late actress Natalie Wood, alleges in a recently published book that Kirk Douglas s---ally assaulted the 'West Side Story' star during her teenage years.
Natalie Wood embarked on her acting journey at a tender age, swiftly rising to fame with iconic roles in films like 'Rebel Without a Cause' and 'West Side Story.'
Despite her successful career, Wood's life took a tragic turn, and she passed away under mysterious circumstances at the age of 43. Discovered lifeless off Catalina Island, near Los Angeles, she was aboard a yacht with her husband Robert Wagner and actor Christopher Walken. Her husband's comments on her demise, made 40 years after the incident, and a lingering suspicion surrounding her death add further intrigue.
Apart from the enigmatic circumstances of her passing, another dark chapter in Wood's life has surfaced—a haunting incident from her teenage years where she was allegedly raped by Kirk Douglas, a renowned actor of that era. Lana Wood, also an actress and film producer, discloses this disturbing revelation in her book titled 'Little Sister: My Investigation Into the Mysterious Death of Natalie Wood.' While Kirk's name had been previously linked to the assault, this is the first confirmation from someone within Natalie Wood's inner circle.
The summer of 1955 witnessed this traumatic event when Natalie was around 16 years old. Lana Wood, then an 8-year-old, recalls accompanying her mother and sister to a meeting with Kirk Douglas at the famed Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles. The purpose was to enhance Natalie's acting career, with Lana remembering her mother's belief that Douglas could open doors for her.
Lana vividly recounts the night Natalie spent with Kirk Douglas, describing Natalie as returning distressed and disheveled. The gravity of the situation wasn't disclosed to Lana at the time, and it wasn't until years later that Natalie revealed the horrifying details to her sister. Natalie's mother, fearing damage to her career, dissuaded her from going public.
Now, at 75, Lana Wood feels compelled to share the truth, breaking the promise she made to her sister, as there is no one left to protect.
In response to Lana Wood's revelation, Kirk Douglas's son, Michael Douglas, offered a brief statement through his publicist, expressing wishes for both parties to rest in peace. Kirk Douglas had previously addressed the incident in his 1988 memoir 'The Ragman's Son,' recounting the encounter with Natalie Wood and downplaying any malicious intent.
The conflicting narratives surrounding this distressing episode continue to stir discussion and reflection on the complexities of Natalie Wood's life.
