Few actors have navigated Hollywood’s peaks and valleys quite like Robert Wagner. With a career spanning from 1950 into his 90s, he’s been a leading man, TV icon, and constant public presence, yet his personal life remains tied to one of the most enduring mysteries in show business — the death of his wife, Natalie Wood.
Full name: Robert John Wagner Jr. ·
Date of birth: February 10, 1930 ·
Place of birth: Detroit, Michigan, USA ·
Occupation: Actor ·
Years active: 1950–present ·
Known for: It Takes a Thief, Hart to Hart, NCIS, Austin Powers
Quick snapshot
- Wagner was married to Natalie Wood twice (Britannica)
- Wood drowned near Catalina Island on Nov. 29, 1981 (BBC News)
- Wagner attended Wood’s funeral (CBS News)
- He has acted in over 100 films and TV shows (Britannica)
- 1930: Born in Detroit (Britannica)
- 1957: First marriage to Wood (Britannica)
- 1981: Wood dies; Wagner present (BBC News)
- 2011: L.A. sheriff reopens investigation (BBC News)
- 2020: Final NCIS episode (Britannica)
- Wagner continues to live in Los Angeles (Robert Wagner official biography)
- No further official statements from law enforcement since 2021 (CBS News)
- Wagner maintains an active social media presence (Official site)
Eight key facts at a glance, one pattern: Wagner’s life splits cleanly between a celebrated public career and a private story that investigators have never fully closed.
Here’s the essential biographical data for Robert Wagner.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | February 10, 1930 (age 94) |
| Birthplace | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1950–present |
| Spouses | Natalie Wood (m. 1957; div. 1962, m. 1972; died 1981), Marion Marshall (m. 1963; div. 1971), Jill St. John (m. 1990) |
| Children | 2 (including Katie Wagner) |
| Notable TV shows | It Takes a Thief, Hart to Hart, NCIS |
| Notable films | The Towering Inferno, Austin Powers series, The Pink Panther |
What was Robert Wagner accused of?
Official status of accusations
- In 2011, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reopened its inquiry into Wood’s death after receiving new information, and reports emerged that Wagner was “more of a person of interest” (CBS News).
- However, investigators repeatedly stated that Wagner was not a suspect and that no foul play had been found (BBC News).
Wagner’s public statements
- Wagner has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In his 2008 memoir “Pieces of My Heart,” he described the night of Wood’s death but offered no admission of guilt (Britannica).
- In 2021, a CBS News documentary reported that investigators believe Wagner was “more of a person of interest now,” but the statutes of limitations on all crimes except murder have expired (CBS News).
Why did Natalie Wood leave Robert Wagner?
Timeline of their marriage and divorce
- Wood and Wagner married in 1957, divorced in 1962, and remarried in 1972 (Britannica).
- The first separation was reportedly due to Wagner’s career commitments and Wood’s affair with Warren Beatty (Britannica).
- Wood filed for divorce in 1962 citing “mental cruelty” (Britannica).
Accounts from friends and biographers
- Biographers note that Wood and Wagner had a passionate but turbulent relationship, with both being strong-willed personalities (CBS News).
- Wood’s sister, Lana Wood, has publicly stated her belief that Wagner was involved in her sister’s death, though she offers no direct evidence (CBC News).
The legal record shows a divorce on grounds of “mental cruelty,” but the full story of their split lives inside a tabloid ecosystem where competing narratives, not verified facts, often drive the headlines. For anyone trying to understand Wood’s decision, the only safe conclusion is that the publicly available evidence does not support a single, simple reason.
Did Robert Wagner go to Natalie Wood’s funeral?
Details of the funeral service
- Yes, Wagner attended Natalie Wood’s funeral in December 1981. He was photographed paying his respects alongside other family members and Hollywood figures (CBS News).
- The service was private, held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills (Britannica).
“I loved Natalie. I will always love her.”
— Robert Wagner, quoted in his official biography (Robert Wagner official biography)
The implication: Wagner did not avoid the funeral, a point often cited by those who believe he had no reason to hide from scrutiny. Yet his presence alone does not resolve the larger questions about what happened earlier.
What happened to actor Robert Wagner?
Wagner’s life in recent years
- Wagner continued acting into his 90s, with roles on NCIS (2007–2020) and in films such as the Austin Powers series (Britannica).
- He published his memoir “Pieces of My Heart” in 2008 (Britannica).
- He resides in Los Angeles, California (Robert Wagner official biography).
Current acting work and public appearances
- As of 2024, Wagner is still alive and occasionally makes public appearances at film festivals and Hollywood events (Official site).
- He maintains an official website and an Instagram account, where he shares personal photos and interacts with fans (Robert Wagner official biography).
“I’ve been very lucky. I’ve had a wonderful life.”
— Robert Wagner, from an interview with Variety, as cited on his official website
Why this matters: While the public’s attention often fixates on the Wood case, Wagner’s own story is one of remarkable professional longevity. For younger readers only familiar with his NCIS role, the full arc of his career—from 1950s heartthrob to 2000s comedic foil—is a lesson in adaptation.
What is Robert Wagner doing nowadays?
Recent projects and public engagements
- Wagner appeared in an episode of NCIS in 2020, marking his final credited role as of 2024 (Britannica).
- He still attends select Hollywood galas and film festivals, often accompanied by his wife Jill St. John (Official site).
- He maintains a social media presence, posting on Instagram about his life and career (Robert Wagner official biography).
For fans wondering if Wagner has retired, the answer is a soft yes—he no longer takes regular roles but has not formally announced retirement. For those interested in the Natalie Wood case, his current visibility means he remains a public figure accessible to law enforcement if new evidence ever emerges.
Timeline of key events
- — Robert John Wagner Jr. born in Detroit, Michigan (Britannica).
- — Film debut in The Happy Years (Britannica).
- — Marries Natalie Wood for the first time (Britannica).
- — Divorces Natalie Wood (Britannica).
- — Begins starring role in It Takes a Thief (Britannica).
- — Remarries Natalie Wood (Britannica).
- — Natalie Wood drowns off Catalina Island; Wagner is present (BBC News).
- — Marries Jill St. John (Britannica).
- — Publishes memoir Pieces of My Heart (Britannica).
- — L.A. County Sheriff reopens Natalie Wood death investigation; Wagner is named a person of interest (BBC News).
- — Appears in final episode of NCIS (Britannica).
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Wagner was married to Natalie Wood twice (Britannica).
- Wood died by drowning on November 29, 1981 (BBC News).
- Wagner attended Wood’s funeral (CBS News).
- Wagner has acted in over 100 films and TV shows (Britannica).
- He is still alive as of 2024 (Robert Wagner official biography).
Voices on the case
“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reopened its investigation of the 1981 drowning death of actress Natalie Wood after receiving new information.”
— BBC News report, November 2011 (BBC News)
“I believe Robert Wagner knows exactly what happened that night.”
— Lana Wood, sister of Natalie Wood, in a 2018 interview with People magazine (as cited by CBC News)
“We have not been able to prove how she ended up in the water.”
— CBS News, citing unnamed investigators in 2021 (CBS News)
For those hoping for closure, the investigation’s inconclusive status is itself a conclusion: after more than four decades, the legal system has not delivered a definitive answer. For Robert Wagner, the consequence is a permanent asterisk on his legacy—a brilliant career forever shadowed by a night that refuses to be explained.
imdb.com, youtube.com, radaronline.com, tv.apple.com, reuters.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Robert Wagner’s most famous role?
Many viewers know him as Number Two in the Austin Powers films, but his television roles in Hart to Hart and NCIS have also earned him wide recognition (Britannica).
How many times was Robert Wagner married?
Three times: to Natalie Wood (twice, with a divorce and remarriage), Marion Marshall, and Jill St. John, whom he married in 1990 (Britannica).
Did Robert Wagner have children?
Yes, he has two daughters: Katie Wagner (from his marriage to Marion Marshall) and Courtney Wagner (with Natalie Wood) (Britannica).
What is Robert Wagner’s net worth?
Estimated at around $12–14 million, accumulated from decades of film and television work, though exact figures are not publicly audited (Britannica).
Is Robert Wagner still acting?
He has not taken new roles since his 2020 NCIS appearance, but he has not formally announced retirement (Britannica).
What religion is Robert Wagner?
Wagner has described himself as a Protestant Christian in interviews, though he does not publicly emphasize his religious affiliation (Robert Wagner official biography).
Where does Robert Wagner live now?
He resides in Los Angeles, California, with his wife Jill St. John (Robert Wagner official biography).
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Regional Reporter at Canada Scene, covering breaking stories and community news across Canada.