
Natalie Wood, the iconic Hollywood actress, had a younger sister named Lana Wood, who also pursued a career in acting. While Natalie Wood's tragic and untimely death in 1981 has often overshadowed discussions about her family, Lana Wood has maintained a presence in the public eye, both through her own acting career and her efforts to keep Natalie's memory alive. As of 2023, Lana Wood is in her late 70s, having been born on March 1, 1946. Her age not only highlights her enduring connection to the golden era of Hollywood but also underscores her resilience and continued relevance in the entertainment industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lana Wood |
| Birth Name | Svetlana Gurdin |
| Date of Birth | March 1, 1946 |
| Age (as of October 2023) | 77 years old |
| Sibling | Natalie Wood (actress, deceased) |
| Occupation | Actress, producer |
| Notable Works | "Diamonds Are Forever" (1971) |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Santa Monica, California, USA |
| Family | Daughter of Maria Zudilova and Nikolai Zacharenko |
| Marital Status | Married multiple times |
| Children | Has children (specifics private) |
| Active Years | 1952–present |
What You'll Learn

Lana Wood's Age Today
Lana Wood, the younger sister of the iconic Natalie Wood, was born on March 1, 1946. As of 2023, she is 77 years old. This places her in the late septuagenarian age group, a stage of life often marked by reflection, legacy-building, and continued engagement in personal passions. For Lana, this has included maintaining her sister’s memory and advocating for the truth surrounding Natalie’s mysterious death. Her age today is not just a number but a testament to her resilience and enduring presence in the public eye.
Analyzing her age in the context of her career and personal life reveals a woman who has defied Hollywood’s ageist norms. While her acting career peaked in the 1960s and 1970s with roles in films like *Diamonds Are Forever* and *The Searchers*, Lana has remained active in recent years through interviews, documentaries, and public appearances. At 77, she exemplifies how age can be a platform for advocacy rather than a barrier. Her efforts to keep Natalie’s legacy alive, particularly through her involvement in reinvestigations of Natalie’s death, highlight how her age has granted her a unique perspective and unwavering determination.
For those curious about aging gracefully in the public eye, Lana Wood’s life offers practical takeaways. First, staying engaged in meaningful pursuits—whether personal or professional—can mitigate the challenges of aging. Second, leveraging one’s age as a source of authority and wisdom can amplify one’s voice in advocacy efforts. Finally, maintaining connections to one’s past, as Lana does with Natalie’s memory, can provide a sense of purpose that transcends time. These lessons are particularly relevant for individuals in their late 70s seeking to leave a lasting impact.
Comparing Lana’s age today to that of her contemporaries in Hollywood underscores her unique position. Many of her peers have retired or faded from public view, yet Lana remains a figure of interest due to her relentless pursuit of justice for Natalie. Her age has not diminished her relevance; instead, it has deepened her narrative, making her story one of perseverance and loyalty. This contrasts sharply with the fleeting nature of fame in the entertainment industry, where age often leads to obscurity.
Instructively, for those researching Lana Wood’s age or her life today, it’s essential to approach her story with nuance. Her age is not merely a biographical detail but a lens through which to understand her ongoing contributions. To learn more, explore recent interviews or documentaries featuring Lana, where she often discusses her sister’s legacy and her own experiences. Additionally, tracking her public statements on Natalie’s case can provide insights into how she uses her age and platform to seek answers. By focusing on her current age and activities, one gains a fuller picture of Lana Wood as a woman whose life continues to unfold with purpose and significance.
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Birthdate of Natalie Wood's Sister
Lana Wood, the younger sister of the iconic Natalie Wood, was born on March 1, 1946. This date is significant not only for its historical context but also for understanding the age gap between the two sisters, which was approximately five years. Natalie Wood, born on July 20, 1938, and Lana shared a bond that was both personal and professional, often appearing together in the spotlight of Hollywood’s golden era. Knowing Lana’s birthdate provides a temporal anchor for tracing her life and career in relation to her sister’s, offering a clearer picture of their shared and individual journeys.
To calculate Lana Wood’s current age, simply subtract her birth year (1946) from the current year. For instance, in 2023, Lana would be 77 years old. This straightforward calculation highlights her longevity in an industry where careers often fade quickly. Unlike Natalie, whose life was tragically cut short in 1981, Lana has continued to work in film and television, maintaining a presence that spans decades. Her age serves as a testament to her resilience and adaptability in an ever-evolving entertainment landscape.
Comparing the sisters’ trajectories reveals intriguing contrasts. Natalie Wood’s career peaked in the 1950s and 1960s, with roles in classics like *Rebel Without a Cause* and *West Side Story*. Lana, on the other hand, carved out her niche in the 1960s and 1970s, notably as Plenty O’Toole in *Diamonds Are Forever*. While Natalie’s star burned brighter and faster, Lana’s career has been characterized by steady, if less high-profile, work. Their birthdates, just five years apart, underscore how closely their lives intersected yet diverged in terms of fame and legacy.
For fans and historians alike, Lana’s birthdate is more than a mere detail—it’s a key to understanding her place in Hollywood history. Born into a family of performers, Lana’s early exposure to the industry shaped her career path. Her age relative to Natalie’s also sheds light on their dynamic as sisters, with Lana often stepping into roles originally considered for Natalie. This interplay between their careers and personal lives adds depth to the narrative of their shared Hollywood story.
Practical tip: When researching celebrity siblings, always verify birthdates through reliable sources, as inaccuracies can lead to misleading timelines. For Lana Wood, her birthdate of March 1, 1946, is well-documented in public records and biographies. This precision ensures that any analysis or comparison involving her age is grounded in factual data, enhancing the credibility of the narrative. Knowing this date allows for a more nuanced exploration of her life and career, particularly in relation to Natalie Wood’s enduring legacy.
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Age Difference Between Natalie and Lana
The age difference between Natalie Wood and her sister Lana Wood is a topic that often piques curiosity, especially among fans of classic Hollywood. Natalie, born on July 20, 1938, was the elder of the two, while Lana came into the world on March 1, 1946. This places a gap of approximately seven years and seven months between them. Such an age difference can significantly influence sibling dynamics, often shaping roles within the family and the nature of their relationship.
Analyzing this age gap, it’s evident that Natalie would have been in her early childhood when Lana was born. By the time Lana was old enough to form memories, Natalie was already a child actress, thrust into the spotlight. This disparity in life stages likely positioned Natalie as a quasi-mentor or protector, while Lana may have looked up to her sister with a mix of admiration and the typical sibling rivalry. The seven-year difference also meant that their interests and experiences, particularly during their formative years, could have been vastly different, potentially creating both a bond and a barrier in their relationship.
From a practical standpoint, understanding age differences like this can offer insights into family dynamics, especially in high-pressure environments like Hollywood. For instance, older siblings often face expectations to guide or shield their younger counterparts, which can add layers of responsibility. In the case of Natalie and Lana, this dynamic may have been amplified by their careers in the public eye. For families with similar age gaps, acknowledging these roles can help foster healthier relationships by setting realistic expectations and encouraging open communication.
Comparatively, the Wood sisters’ age difference aligns with many sibling pairs in the entertainment industry, where older siblings often pave the way for younger ones. However, what sets Natalie and Lana apart is the intensity of their individual careers and the tragic circumstances surrounding Natalie’s life and death. This unique context underscores how age differences can intersect with external factors, shaping not just personal relationships but also public perceptions of familial bonds.
In conclusion, the seven-year age difference between Natalie and Lana Wood is more than a mere number; it’s a lens through which to explore their individual and shared experiences. Whether viewed analytically, comparatively, or practically, this gap offers valuable insights into sibling dynamics, particularly within the pressures of fame. For those intrigued by their story, understanding this age difference provides a deeper appreciation of the complexities that defined their relationship.
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Lana Wood's Early Life Timeline
Lana Wood, the younger sister of iconic actress Natalie Wood, was born Svetlana Gurdin on March 1, 1946, in Santa Monica, California. Her birth marked the arrival of the second daughter to Russian immigrant parents, Maria Zudilova and Nicholas Zacharenko, who had already found success in Hollywood with Natalie’s burgeoning career. Lana’s early years were steeped in the glitz and pressure of Tinseltown, where her sister’s stardom cast a long shadow. While Natalie was groomed for the spotlight from a young age, Lana’s path was less defined, though she would eventually carve out her own niche in acting.
By the age of 5, Lana began appearing in small roles alongside Natalie, often as her on-screen sibling. These early experiences were both a blessing and a challenge. On one hand, they provided her with industry exposure; on the other, they fueled comparisons to her sister, which would follow her throughout her career. At 8, she landed a notable role in *The Searchers* (1956), directed by John Ford, showcasing her natural talent. However, her childhood was not without turmoil. The family’s move to a lavish estate in Brentwood, California, symbolized their rising fortunes but also isolated Lana from a typical childhood.
During her preteen years, Lana’s education was often interrupted by filming commitments. She attended private schools but struggled to form lasting friendships due to her transient lifestyle. At 13, she signed her first formal contract with a talent agency, marking her transition from occasional performer to professional actress. This period also coincided with Natalie’s teenage years, a time when the sisters’ relationship grew more complex. While they shared a bond rooted in family, Lana often felt overshadowed by Natalie’s meteoric rise, a dynamic that would shape her identity and career choices.
By 16, Lana had amassed a respectable filmography, including roles in *The Greatest Story Ever Told* (1965) and *Diamonds Are Forever* (1971), where she played Bond girl Plenty O’Toole. Yet, her personal life was marked by instability. Her parents’ divorce in 1960 and Natalie’s tumultuous relationships added layers of stress to her formative years. Despite these challenges, Lana’s resilience and determination emerged as defining traits. Her early life timeline is a testament to her ability to navigate the complexities of fame, family, and identity in an industry that rarely allowed room for both sisters to shine equally.
Today, as fans and historians revisit the Wood sisters’ legacies, Lana’s early life serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and struggles behind Hollywood’s glittering facade. At 78 years old (as of 2024), she remains a figure of intrigue, her story intertwined with Natalie’s yet distinctly her own. Understanding her timeline offers not just a glimpse into her past but also a deeper appreciation for her enduring presence in the cultural zeitgeist.
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Current Age of Lana Wood
Lana Wood, the younger sister of the iconic Natalie Wood, was born on March 1, 1946. As of 2023, she is 77 years old. This places her in the late septuagenarian age group, a stage of life often characterized by reflection, legacy-building, and continued engagement in passions. For Lana, this has included maintaining her connection to the entertainment industry and preserving the memory of her sister, whose tragic death in 1981 remains a topic of public fascination.
Analyzing her age in the context of her career, Lana Wood’s longevity in Hollywood is noteworthy. Unlike many child actors who fade into obscurity, she has sustained a presence through roles in film and television, as well as public appearances tied to her sister’s legacy. At 77, she exemplifies how age can be a platform for advocacy and storytelling rather than a barrier. Her continued participation in interviews and documentaries about Natalie Wood underscores the enduring relevance of her family’s story.
From a practical standpoint, understanding Lana Wood’s current age provides a benchmark for generational comparisons within the Wood family. Natalie Wood, born in 1938, was eight years older than Lana. This age gap influenced their sibling dynamics and careers, with Natalie achieving stardom earlier and Lana often navigating her own path in her shadow. Today, Lana’s age serves as a reminder of the passage of time since Natalie’s untimely death, now over four decades ago.
Persuasively, Lana Wood’s age highlights the importance of aging gracefully in an industry obsessed with youth. Her willingness to embrace her later years publicly challenges societal norms about beauty and relevance. For fans and observers, her age is not just a number but a testament to resilience and adaptability. It invites reflection on how individuals can remain active and meaningful contributors to their fields, regardless of age.
In conclusion, Lana Wood’s current age of 77 is more than a chronological marker; it is a lens through which to view her life, career, and relationship to her sister’s legacy. It offers insights into aging in Hollywood, the bonds of family, and the enduring impact of personal and public history. As she continues to share her story, her age becomes a symbol of perseverance and the timeless nature of her contributions.
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Frequently asked questions
Lana Wood was born on March 1, 1946. As of 2023, she is 77 years old.
Lana Wood is younger than Natalie Wood. Natalie was born on July 20, 1938, making her about 7.5 years older than Lana.
Lana Wood's full name is Svetlana Gurdin, but she is professionally known as Lana Wood.
Yes, Lana Wood also pursued an acting career, though not as prominent as Natalie's. She is known for roles in films like *Diamonds Are Forever* and television series like *Peyton Place*.
Yes, Lana Wood is still alive. She continues to make occasional public appearances and has spoken about her sister Natalie's legacy.

