Lana Wood has lived a life deeply intertwined with the legends of Hollywood — a life shaped by beauty, tragedy, resilience, and a family name that has long fascinated the public. Best known for her role as the seductive Plenty O’Toole in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Lana carved her own niche in Hollywood while always being linked to the larger-than-life legacy of her sister, Natalie Wood.
A Hollywood Beginning
Born Svetlana Nikolaevna Zakharenko on March 1, 1946, in Santa Monica, California, Lana Wood was the daughter of Russian immigrants who fled their homeland during the upheaval of the Russian Revolution. Her older sister, Natalie Wood, had already begun achieving stardom by the time Lana entered the film industry.
Lana began acting as a child, following Natalie into the industry. She took on small roles in the 1950s and ’60s, often appearing in television shows such as The Wild Wild West, Bonanza, and The Fugitive. Her breakout role came in 1966 when she joined the cast of the hit TV western Peyton Place, playing Sandy Webber.
Bond Girl Fame
Lana’s most iconic performance came in 1971 when she was cast as Plenty O’Toole opposite Sean Connery’s James Bond in Diamonds Are Forever. Though her screen time was limited, her sultry performance and striking presence made her one of the most memorable “Bond girls” in the franchise’s long history. The role brought her international recognition, elevating her to a new level of celebrity.
Life Beyond the Silver Screen
Despite her success, Lana’s career never quite reached the heights many anticipated. Throughout the 1970s and ’80s, she continued acting in television and low-budget films, but the spotlight began to fade. However, it was her connection to Natalie Wood — and the mystery surrounding her sister’s tragic death in 1981 — that kept Lana in the public consciousness.
Lana has been an outspoken voice in the ongoing controversy regarding Natalie’s death, which occurred under mysterious circumstances during a boat trip with her husband, actor Robert Wagner. In recent years, Lana has called for renewed investigations and has publicly expressed doubt about the official explanation of accidental drowning. Her insistence on truth and justice for her sister has made headlines and drawn both praise and criticism.
Author, Advocate, Survivor
Lana Wood has also authored several books, including Natalie: A Memoir by Her Sister, a heartfelt and revealing account of their relationship and the family’s personal struggles. In the book, she opened up about the difficulties of growing up in Natalie’s shadow, the pressures of fame, and the pain of unresolved grief.
In her later years, Lana faced personal challenges, including financial difficulties and health issues. Still, she has remained active in the entertainment industry and continues to advocate for causes close to her heart, including mental health awareness and justice for her late sister.
A Complex Legacy
Lana Wood’s story is not one of conventional stardom but of a woman navigating the glittering highs and heartbreaking lows of Hollywood life. Her journey is one of strength, loyalty, and a search for truth in an industry often built on illusion.
Though she may forever be remembered as the glamorous Bond girl or Natalie Wood’s younger sister, Lana Wood’s legacy is richer: an actress, a writer, and a survivor who continues to speak out and shine on her own terms.