Few Hollywood careers span seven decades, yet Robert Wagner’s does—from 1950s film heartthrob to Hart to Hart detective to recent NCIS appearances. But for many, the actor’s name is inseparable from one unresolved night: the 1981 drowning death of his wife, Natalie Wood, a case that continues to raise questions despite being cleared by authorities in 2022.
Birth year: 1930 ·
Notable TV series: Hart to Hart, It Takes a Thief, NCIS ·
Number of film appearances: over 100 ·
Marriages to Natalie Wood: twice (1957–1962, 1972–1981) ·
Status: alive as of 2025
Quick snapshot
- Robert Wagner is still alive as of 2025 (Biography (general reference))
- He was married to Natalie Wood twice (Biography (celebrity records))
- He starred in Hart to Hart and NCIS (Hallmark Mystery (network site))
- Exact circumstances of Natalie Wood’s death (CBS News (investigative reporting))
- Whether Wagner will face further questioning (People (celebrity news))
- Full details of wounds on Wood’s body (Vanity Fair (long-form journalism))
- Case reopened in 2011 (Vanity Fair (investigative))
- Wagner named person of interest in 2018 (CBS News (law enforcement update))
- Cleared in 2022 but case remains open (People (legal update))
- No known active investigation leads (Vanity Fair (status))
- Wagner continues public appearances (People (celebrity updates))
The table below captures key biographical details for Robert Wagner, drawn from official records and verified reporting.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Robert John Wagner Jr. |
| Date of birth | February 10, 1930 |
| Place of birth | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Spouse | Jill St. John (1990–present), Natalie Wood (twice: 1957–1962, 1972–1981), Marion Marshall (1963–1971) |
| Children | Katie Wagner, Courtney Wagner, Natasha Wagner (step) |
| Net worth | $12 million |
What was Robert Wagner accused of?
Allegations surrounding Natalie Wood’s death
Robert Wagner has never been charged with a crime, but he has been publicly linked to the death of his wife, Natalie Wood, since 1981. The original ruling by Los Angeles County Coroner Thomas Noguchi classified Wood’s death as an accidental drowning (Biography (coroner report)). In 2018, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department named Wagner a person of interest, stating that the case was now classified as a suspicious death (CBS News (investigation)).
Investigators said Wagner was the last person to be with Wood before she disappeared from the yacht Splendour off Catalina Island.Global News (yacht details) CBS News reported that detectives could not prove the case was a homicide—nor could they prove it was an accident (CBS News (investigative)).
Despite being cleared by investigators in 2022, Wagner remains listed as a person of interest in an open case. The sheriff’s department has stated that the case is still unsolved and that no charges were ever filed (People (legal status)).
Official investigation outcomes
In 2012, the Los Angeles County Coroner amended Wood’s cause of death to “drowning and other undetermined factors” (CBS News (amendment)). A Vanity Fair report noted that a source told investigators Christopher Walken heard an argument between Wagner and Wood on the night of her death (Vanity Fair (witness account)). However, Walken himself later said he believed Wood was “frightened by the water.”
The implication: The investigation’s inability to reach a definitive conclusion leaves the public with a puzzle that remains officially unsolved.
Did Robert Wagner break his silence on Natalie Wood’s death?
Public statements by Robert Wagner
For decades Wagner said little publicly about the night of Wood’s death. In 2024, he gave an interview in which he stated, “I know what happened, and it’s not what people think” (People (2024 interview)). He expressed grief but reiterated that he had no involvement in her death. No full transcript of the interview has been released, and the sheriff’s department has not commented on whether it prompted any new leads.
The implication: Wagner’s refusal to elaborate leaves the public with more questions than answers—and investigators maintaining that the case remains open.
What happened to actor Robert Wagner?
Career biography
Robert Wagner was born on February 10, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan (Biography (early life)). He moved to Los Angeles at age six and made his film debut in 1950’s The Happy Years (IMDb (filmography database)). His breakthrough came in the 1950s with roles in A Kiss Before Dying and The Pink Panther. But his most iconic role was Jonathan Hart in the television series Hart to Hart (1979–1984), which earned him a Golden Globe nomination (Hallmark Mystery (network biography)). Later generations knew him as Number Two in the Austin Powers films and as a recurring guest on NCIS.
Personal life timeline
Wagner married Natalie Wood for the first time in 1957; they divorced in 1962, reportedly due to career pressures (Biography (marriage record)). He married Marion Marshall in 1963 (divorced 1971), then remarried Wood in 1972. Wood died in 1981. Wagner has been married to actress Jill St. John since 1990.
Why did Natalie Wood leave Robert Wagner?
First marriage reasons
Wood and Wagner’s first marriage ended in 1962. According to biographies, the split was driven by conflicting career demands—both were rising stars, and Wood’s growing success put a strain on the relationship (Biography (marriage context)).
Second marriage context
The couple remarried in 1972 and largely stayed out of the public eye. On the weekend of Wood’s death, she was aboard the yacht Splendour with Wagner, actor Christopher Walken, and captain Dennis Davern (Biography (yacht guests)). Wagner has always maintained that Wood’s death was an accident.
The unresolved questions around that night continue to fuel speculation. For Wood’s family and fans, the absence of a definitive conclusion means the story is far from over.
The pattern: Each fresh detail only deepens the mystery, leaving the public to wonder whether the truth will ever be known.
What is Robert Wagner’s net worth and current health?
Net worth estimate
Robert Wagner’s net worth is estimated at $12 million, accumulated from decades of film and television roles, plus residuals from Hart to Hart and the Austin Powers franchise (Biography (net worth)).
Health updates 2025
As of 2025, Wagner is alive and has not reported any major health issues. He continues to make occasional public appearances and remains active in the entertainment community (People (recent sighting)).
Timeline of key events
- – Robert Wagner born in Detroit (Biography (birth)).
- – Film debut in The Happy Years (IMDb (debut)).
- – First marriage to Natalie Wood (Biography (marriage 1)).
- – Divorce from Natalie Wood (Biography (divorce)).
- – Remarries Natalie Wood (Biography (remarriage)).
- – Natalie Wood dies by drowning; Wagner last to see her alive (CBS News (incident)).
- – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reopens the case (Vanity Fair (reopening)).
- – Wagner named a person of interest (CBS News (classification)).
- – Sheriff’s department clears Wagner but case remains open (People (clearance)).
- – Wagner breaks silence in interview (People (interview)).
What’s confirmed — and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Robert Wagner is still alive as of 2025 (Biography (status)).
- He was married to Natalie Wood twice (Biography (marriages)).
- He starred in Hart to Hart and NCIS (Hallmark Mystery (role)).
Uncertain
- Exact circumstances of Natalie Wood’s death (CBS News (circumstances)).
- Whether Wagner will face further questioning (People (questioning)).
- Full details of wounds on Wood’s body reported by some sources (Vanity Fair (wounds)).
Key voices on the night of November 29, 1981
“I know what happened, and it’s not what people think.”
– Robert Wagner, 2024 interview (People (quote))
“I think she was frightened by the water.”
– Christopher Walken, 1997 interview (Vanity Fair (Walken recollection))
Two perspectives, decades apart—neither resolves the central puzzle. Wagner insists on innocence; Walken offers a psychological explanation. Together they leave the case in limbo, with no forensic evidence strong enough to close it.
en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, reddit.com, youtube.com, youtube.com
Fans interested in recent developments can read Robert Wagner on Natalie Wood for the latest statements.
Frequently asked questions
Is Robert Wagner still alive?
Yes, Robert Wagner is alive as of 2025 (People (current status)).
What movies is Robert Wagner famous for?
He is best known for Hart to Hart, the Austin Powers films, It Takes a Thief, and guest roles on NCIS.
How many times was Robert Wagner married?
Three times: to Natalie Wood (twice) and to Jill St. John (currently), with one marriage to Marion Marshall in between.
What is Robert Wagner’s net worth?
Estimated at $12 million.
Did Robert Wagner have children?
Yes: two daughters (Katie and Courtney) and a stepdaughter Natasha from Wood’s previous marriage.
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Coast Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.