Lana Wood, known for her role as Bond girl Plenty O’Toole in Diamonds Are Forever and as the sister of actress Natalie Wood, once stood as part of Hollywood’s elite. Now, at 71, Wood finds herself facing financial hardships and has been forced into homelessness. The actress currently resides in a motel room outside Los Angeles with her daughter, son-in-law, three grandchildren, and two dogs.
#1. Living Conditions in a Crowded Motel Room
The cramped motel room that Wood and her family share is a far cry from the luxurious lifestyle she once enjoyed. The small space allows for little more than water and snacks in their makeshift kitchen. With cooking off-limits, the family has had to rely on fast food for most of their meals. “It’s been very difficult for the kids,” Wood told Inside Edition. “They feel like they have no privacy.”
#2. What Led to Lana Wood’s Financial Hardships?
Wood’s life took a sharp turn when she lost her home due to rising rental costs. Unable to afford the rent for their California residence, Wood, along with her daughter and grandchildren, was forced out with no one to take them in. In Wood’s words, what happened to her is simply “real life.”
#3. Daughter’s Medical Bills Compound Financial Strain
The family’s finances have been further depleted by her daughter Evan’s extensive medical bills. Evan’s battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and subsequent treatments have permanently scarred her lungs, leaving her reliant on an oxygen compressor. Her cancer has since returned, worsening the family’s struggles. “It’s like the rug has been pulled out from under you,” said Wood. “It’s just difficult to cope with.”
#4. Lana Wood’s Health Woes and Medical Needs
In addition to her family’s challenges, Wood herself needs two knee replacement surgeries, which she has not been able to afford. “I don’t know how much more we can take,” she shared, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of her circumstances.
#5. Ties to Hollywood: Lingering Questions and Familial Estrangement
Wood’s financial situation is further complicated by strained relationships with her late sister’s family. Six years ago, she was still actively seeking answers from Natalie’s husband, Robert Wagner, about the mysterious circumstances of her sister’s 1981 death. Although authorities have cleared Wagner as a suspect, Wood’s search for answers created tension between her and Wagner’s children, leaving her without their support.
#6. Seeking Help: GoFundMe Campaign for a Fresh Start
A friend has launched a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of Wood and her family, which has raised more than $6,000 to help them get back on their feet. Wood hopes to secure a permanent home for her family, reflecting on how her sister Natalie, if alive, would be “devastated” by her current situation and would “fix” it if she could.
