“Dean barely spoke to Natalie that morning, but trailed her out the door during the lunch break, inviting her on his motorcycle. “I was thrilled. We went speeding off to some greasy spoon.”... Dean chatted with Natalie about the script at lunch, relaxing her. Suddenly he put down his sandwich. “I know you,” he said challengingly. “You’re a child actor.” Natalie, who sensed he was testing her, responded, “That’s true. But it’s better than acting like a child.” Dean “didn’t get it for a moment,” she later recalled. “Then he started to laugh. Then I started to laugh.” Natalie Wood by Suzanne Finstad.
Natalie Wood and James Dean photographed in between takes of Rebel Without a Cause, 1955.
Natalie Wood at her 21st birthday celebration at Romanoff’s, circa july 20th, 1959.
Natalie Wood photographed during a shopping trip in Roma, Italy. 1965.
Natalie Wood photographed at Malibu Beach, Earl Leaf, 1956.
Natalie Wood in a film still from “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” 1969.
Natalie Wood photographed by Ernst Haas during dance rehearsals for “West Side Story,” 1961.
Natalie Wood, James Dean, and Sal Mineo in a screen test for “Rebel Without a Cause,” 1955.
Natalie Wood photographed for “Sex and the Single Girl,” 1964.