A memoir written by Wood's younger sister, Lana, claims that Douglas attacked Wood in the summer of 1955. / Getty Images
A memoir written by Wood's younger sister, Lana, claims that Douglas attacked Wood in the summer of 1955. / Getty Images
Actress's younger sister claims Spartacus star 'hurt' Natalie when she was just a teenager – but that Wood family kept the incident quiet
The late Natalie Wood was sexually assaulted by Hollywood A-lister Kirk Douglas when she was a teenager, a new book claims.
In "Little Sisters", a memoir writtenby Wood's younger sister, Lana, it is claimed that Douglas attacked Wood in the summer of 1955, when the two met in a hotel.
"I remember that Natalie looked especially beautiful when Mum and I dropped her off that night at the Chateau Marmont entrance," Lana Wood writes. The meeting had been arranged by their mother, Maria Zakharenko, who thought that "many doors might be thrown open for her, with just a nod of his famous, handsome head on her behalf."
Douglas, who was nearly twice Wood's age at the time, was one of the most famous faces in Hollywood, having starred in Spartacus and Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
"It seemed like a long time passed before Natalie got back into the car and woke me up when she slammed the door shut," Lana claims. "She looked awful. She was very dishevelled and very upset."
"Something bad had apparently happened to my sister, but whatever it was, I was apparently too young to be told about it."
Kirk Douglas, pictured in 1994, was nearly twice Wood's age at the time of the alleged incident and was one of the most famous faces in Hollywood, Photo / Getty Images
Lana, who was eight at the time, claims that Natalie and her mother agreed not to report the incident for fear of ruining her career - "suck it up" was apparently her mother's advice.
It was not until years later that Natalie told Lana what happened, apparently saying that she was taken into Douglas's suite before "he hurt me".
Wood died in 1981 in a mysterious drowning. Initially ruled an accident, the verdict was altered to "drowning and other undetermined factors" in 2012.
Kirk Douglas died in 2020. Rumours that he had assaulted Wood were so prevalent throughout his life that her name trended alongside his on Twitter when his death was announced.
Where to get help: • Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7) • Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7) • Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 (available 24/7) • Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7) • Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (12pm to 11pm) • Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7) • Anxiety helpline: 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY) (available 24/7) • Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155 If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
