Natalie Wood Quotes

Powerful Natalie Wood for Daily Growth

About Natalie Wood

Natalie Wood (born Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko; July 20, 1938 – November 29, 1981) was an iconic American film actress known for her captivating performances and striking beauty. Born in San Francisco, California, to Russian immigrants, she started her acting career at the tender age of four, appearing in several television commercials. Wood's first major break came in 1947 when she was cast as the young Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street. This role launched her into Hollywood stardom and set the stage for a prolific career spanning over three decades. She starred in numerous films, including Rebel Without a Cause (1955), where she played alongside James Dean; Splendor in the Grass (1961), with Warren Beatty; and West Side Story (1961), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award. Throughout her career, Wood was influenced by some of the greatest directors of her time, including George Cukor, Elia Kazan, and Robert Wise. Her ability to portray complex emotions convincingly earned her the nickname "the American Garbo." In addition to her acting talents, Wood was also a devoted mother and wife. She married three times and had one child, Natasha Gregson Wagner, with her second husband, Richard Gregson. Tragically, Wood's life ended prematurely in 1981, when she drowned off the coast of Catalina Island during a boating accident. Despite her untimely death, Natalie Wood continues to be remembered as one of Hollywood's most talented and endearing actresses. Her legacy lives on through her timeless films and the indelible mark she left on cinema history. Notable quotes by Natalie Wood include: "I think that when I die, I would like to go home a second time," and "Acting is not about being someone different. It's finding yourself and then revealing that credibly. And honestly."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The harder you work for something, the greater you'll feel when you achieve it."

This quote emphasizes that achieving goals requires effort, and the sense of accomplishment derived from overcoming challenges is proportionate to the work invested. In other words, the more you put into something, the more fulfilling it feels when you succeed in attaining it. The message encourages persistence, resilience, and hard work as means to unlock personal satisfaction and growth.


"I want to be a movie star because I feel I can make people forget about themselves for two hours and have fun."

Natalie Wood's quote signifies her desire to use the power of cinema as an escape for audiences. She saw herself as a vessel for providing solace, distraction, and entertainment, enabling individuals to momentarily leave their worries behind. Essentially, she wanted to offer people a fun, immersive experience that could provide a temporary respite from reality.


"Acting is not about being someone different. It's finding the similarity in what is supposedly different, then finding myself in there."

This quote by Natalie Wood suggests that the essence of acting lies not in transforming into a character who is fundamentally different from oneself, but rather in discovering shared characteristics or experiences between the actor and the role, thereby allowing the actor to authentically portray the character while still maintaining a connection to their own identity. In other words, effective acting involves finding one's self within another, demonstrating that our commonalities often transcend superficial differences.


"Love is a very fragile thing: it needs to be protected by two people who are really, truly in love."

This quote emphasizes that love requires care and protection from those who genuinely cherish it. It suggests that true love should be nurtured, valued, and treated with respect to preserve its delicate nature. Two individuals deeply in love are responsible for its longevity, as they must prioritize their relationship and foster an environment where it can thrive. The quote underlines the importance of mutual commitment and genuine affection to sustain a healthy romantic bond.


"I think I am a deep person and I need to work with directors that can cope with my depth and let me show it."

Natalie Wood's quote suggests a desire for professional collaboration, where she feels her depth of character and acting abilities are understood and appreciated by the director. She wishes to delve deeper into her roles and bring out complexities, which can only be achieved when working with directors who are capable of accommodating and supporting such an endeavor.


I never saw film stars at home. We had no maid, no cook, no swimming pool.

- Natalie Wood

Pool, Cook, Saw, Film Stars

Stardom is only a by-product of acting. I don't think being a movie star is a good enough reason for existing.

- Natalie Wood

Think, Reason, Movie, By-Product

For the first time I feel an inner emotional security. There is reality and dependability. My life revolves around Richard and the baby.

- Natalie Wood

My Life, Emotional, Richard, Revolves

We were descended from royalty.

- Natalie Wood

Royalty, Were, Descended

At night, when the sky is full of stars and the sea is still you get the wonderful sensation that you are floating in space.

- Natalie Wood

Sky, Space, Still, Floating

I never knew motherhood could be so truly gratifying until I had Natasha.

- Natalie Wood

Never, Knew, Could, Gratifying

When I get married it will be for keeps.

- Natalie Wood

Will, Get, Married, Get Married

Warren and I are friends, but working with him had been difficult.

- Natalie Wood

Working, Difficult, Been, Warren

The only time a woman really succeeds in changing a man is when he is a baby.

- Natalie Wood

Relationship, Woman, Only, Only Time

The times that I have done something that I didn't respond to emotionally right away, it's generally not worked out too well.

- Natalie Wood

Right, Done, Away, Right Away

Sometimes when I visit my sister and her two children, I wonder if she missed a lot by getting married. Right now, nothing could be further from my mind than getting married.

- Natalie Wood

Sometimes, Two, Lot, I Wonder

I saw my parents as gods whose every wish must be obeyed or I would suffer the penalty of anguish and guilt.

- Natalie Wood

Guilt, Penalty, Gods, Obeyed

Today's films are so technological that an actor becomes starved for roles that deal with human relationships.

- Natalie Wood

Deal, Films, Roles, Technological

I thought it was a wonderful line - right on the cutting room floor.

- Natalie Wood

Thought, Line, Cutting Room, Floor

I couldn't even go to the bathroom alone. My mother or a social worker always went with me.

- Natalie Wood

Go, Always, Social, Bathroom

If I didn't believe in what I'm doing, I'd rather go to work in a dime store.

- Natalie Wood

Work, Doing, Rather, Dime

My friends seem much more excited about my doing Anastasia than Brainstorm... and to tell you the truth, I feel the same way.

- Natalie Wood

Doing, Excited, More, Brainstorm

We all wanted to copy Vivien Leigh.

- Natalie Wood

Copy, Wanted, Leigh

Almost every girl falls in love with the wrong man, I suppose it's part of growing up.

- Natalie Wood

Love, Part, Almost, Suppose

Not even analysis, by itself, can transform you. You must still do the changing yourself.

- Natalie Wood

Still, Transform, Itself, Analysis

I was so young, and making movies, going to the studio every morning at dawn was magic.

- Natalie Wood

Magic, Movies, Studio, Making Movies

A lot changed when I had Natasha. I'm a survivor.

- Natalie Wood

Changed, Had, Lot, Survivor

I was so overprotected, I used to think I was as delicate as people said I was.

- Natalie Wood

Think, Said, Used, Delicate

From ages 10 to 12 or so, I barely remember anything.

- Natalie Wood

Remember, Anything, Ages, Barely

My mother used to tell me, No matter what they ask you, always say yes. You can learn later.

- Natalie Wood

Learn, Yes, Always, Ask

I didn't know who the hell I was. I was whoever they wanted me to be.

- Natalie Wood

Me, Know, Wanted, Whoever

I'm not very bright about money. I'm not domestic either. If I don't learn how to cook, maybe I won't have to.

- Natalie Wood

Learn, Maybe, Very, Cook

The constant attention is what is so difficult.

- Natalie Wood

Attention, Difficult, Constant

I'm just going to have to grow old, because I'm too terrified to have anything done.

- Natalie Wood

Grow, Going, Too, Terrified

I've been terrified of the water, and yet it seems I'm forced to go into in on every movie that I make.

- Natalie Wood

Movie, Been, Forced, Terrified

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.