Robert Wagner, the esteemed Hollywood actor, commemorated his 96th birthday on Tuesday with heartfelt photographs shared by his stepdaughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner. The 55-year-old posted a touching tribute to her stepfather, coming just three months after the 44th anniversary of the tragic passing of her mother, Natalie Wood, who drowned in 1981 at the age of 43.
Intimate Birthday Celebrations
One snapshot, shared to Natasha's Instagram Stories, captured Wagner blowing out candles on two cakes while surrounded by loved ones. Another image showed him smiling inside a restaurant, believed to be the French eatery Cache Cache in Aspen, Colorado, where he sported the establishment's hat. He was seated beside his 19-year-old grandson Riley, the son of his daughter Katie Wagner, 61, from his previous marriage to Marion Marshall.
The Hart To Hart star accessorized his look with a colorful silk scarf wrapped around his neck, adding a touch of his signature style to the celebrations. In yet another photograph, he was pictured relaxing on a couch with Natasha giving him a sweet kiss on the head, showcasing their close bond.
Festive Decorations and Nostalgic Throwbacks
Snapshots of the festivities also revealed the pool area adorned with lights and large displays featuring the actor's initials, RJ—for Robert John—alongside the number 96. Natasha further shared a poignant throwback from 1972, showing her as a young child at London's Heathrow Airport alongside her stepfather, her mother Natalie, her half-sister Katie Wagner, and her maternal grandmother Maria.
A message was posted on the Hollywood veteran's official Instagram account after thousands of fans extended their birthday wishes. The note read, 'Hello everyone... Thank you so much for contributing to the Birthday Wishes!! I know RJ will be thrilled and honored when he reads the messages.'
Family Background and Hollywood Career
This celebration comes three months after the anniversary of the passing of his movie star wife Natalie Wood, who drowned off the coast of Catalina Island in Southern California. Wood had Natasha with film producer Richard Gregson, marrying him in 1969 before separating when Natasha was ten months old and divorcing in 1972.
Wood went on to re-marry Wagner in 1972, having previously been married to him from 1957 until 1962. Their daughter Courtney, now 51, was born on March 9, 1974. Wagner also shares daughter Katie from his previous marriage to Marion Marshall, which lasted from 1963 until 1971.
Wagner's illustrious Hollywood career began in the 1950s with films such as The Happy Years and Teresa. He starred in the 1956 hit film A Kiss Before Dying and later appeared in productions like Winning and TV shows including The Streets Of San Francisco.
Rise to Fame with Hart To Hart
However, he achieved widespread fame in 1979 when he portrayed Jonathan Hart opposite Stefanie Powers on the TV series Hart To Hart. The show centered on a wealthy, attractive married couple who solved murders as a hobby, spanning 111 episodes until its conclusion in 1984. It continues to enjoy success in re-runs, maintaining a cult following.
Created by author Sidney Sheldon, each episode revolved around self-made millionaire Jonathan (played by Wagner) and freelance writer Jennifer (starring Powers), the child-free Harts who doted on their rescue dog Freeway. Their sidekick was the streetwise butler Max, portrayed by Lionel Stander, with famous guest stars including Ray Milland, Capucine, and Eve Arden.
Later, several spin-off Hart To Hart movies were produced. Wagner subsequently found success opposite Mike Myers in Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery in 1997. He is currently wed to Jill St John, having tied the knot in 1990 after eight years of courtship.
The Natalie Wood Tragedy and Aftermath
Wagner and St John had known each other since the 1950s, as she was a close friend of the actor and his late wife, Wood, who died by drowning when taking their boat's dinghy out off the coast of Catalina Island in November 1981. The couple had been drinking with Natalie's Brainstorm co-star Christopher Walken, now 82, before the actress went to bed. Her body was discovered the following day.
The actor was considered a 'person of interest' in the case but was never arrested, despite widespread speculation—without proof—that the Splendor in the Grass star had somehow orchestrated his wife's death. Initially, the coroner ruled her death an accidental drowning, but after the case was re-opened in 2011, the death certificate was amended to reflect 'drowning and other undetermined factors.'
Robert Wagner was officially cleared as a person of interest in 2022. Natasha has fiercely defended him amid all the speculation, writing in her 2020 book, More Than Love, An Intimate Portrait of My Mother, Natalie Wood, 'No one in my world questioned my dad's love for my mom or his utter despair at her loss.'
Natasha's Defense and Continued Legacy
She added, 'We can never know with complete certainty how my mother ended up in the water. Instead, I focus on the things I do know—My father would never have harmed my mother or failed to save her if he knew she was in danger.' Natasha, who was just 11 when her mother died, emphasized, 'My mother was not a tragic, doomed person. Her life was devoted to her art, her children, her husband and her heart.'
In December, Wagner posted a photo from his 1957 wedding to the West Side Story actress, expressing his enduring love with the caption, '66 years ago on December 28th 1957, Natalie was my girl and now she was my wife. Happy Anniversary, Nat. More than love.'
