She built a solid acting career in the 1970s and never fully stepped away from the spotlight. Then she lost her sister in one of Hollywood’s most public tragedies. Years later, she lost her finances and her home as she tried to keep her daughter alive. By the time she was in her 70s, everything she had worked for was gone, and she was forced into homelessness.
From Hollywood Royalty to Relentless Struggle
Born into a family already familiar with the film industry, actress Lana Wood‘s first credited role was when she was just ten, playing the younger version of her older sister’s character—a sister who would become one of the most recognizable figures in American film. By the late 1960s and into the 1970s, Wood had carved out her own path, booking steady work and moving from guest roles to recurring characters. She took on roles that highlighted her screen presence and versatility, from crime dramas to westerns, and was quickly recognized for her striking looks and strong personality.
It was during this period that she secured the role that would come to define her public image: Plenty O’Toole in the James Bond film “Diamonds Are Forever.” The part brought her international attention and remains one of her most remembered appearances. In the years that followed, she continued working in television and film while raising her daughter, Evan. With time, her focus shifted more toward her personal life, and she continued to act, but not with the same intensity or frequency as before. Her attention was increasingly on her daughter, who had grown up outside the public eye.
She also remained vocal about her sister’s legacy, especially regarding the circumstances surrounding her death in the early ’80s. In interviews and in a book she later published, she called for clarity and accountability. That public stance caused tension with some family members, leaving her with limited support when life took a difficult turn years later.
A Mother’s Fight Against Illness and Financial Ruin
Wood’s daughter, Evan, had long struggled with health issues, but the diagnosis that would disrupt their lives came when she was found to have Hodgkin lymphoma. This rare cancer originates in lymphocytes, a kind of white blood cell within the lymphatic system. Though it is considered one of the more treatable cancers, treatment isn’t without consequences. Evan underwent radiation therapy, which scarred her lungs and left her permanently reliant on oxygen support. “She’s all hooked up to oxygen,” Wood once explained. “She can’t walk across a room without becoming terribly winded… She’s really not well.” The cost of long-term care—appointments, equipment, prescriptions—mounted quickly. The once successful Hollywood icon did what she could to keep up, but it soon became clear that the financial pressure was growing beyond what she could manage.
After nearly eight years in their California home, they were told they had just seven days to leave. There was no time to plan, and no savings left to fall back on. Wood remembered pleading with the authorities for more time, but it didn’t change anything. “They came and woke us up and said, ‘This is it. You’ve got to leave the house,'” she recalled. When she asked if they could at least collect their belongings and bring their cats, the answer was no. “I said, ‘You must allow me to have my medications.’ So the sheriff said, ‘Okay, fine,’ but he followed me and said, ‘You can only take those bottles of pills and that’s it,'” she remembered what she called a “traumatic” experience. They lost nearly everything that day, including their pets. The former Bond girl, her daughter, her son-in-law, her three grandchildren, and two dogs had no choice but to pack into their vehicle and drive away. “We were absolutely homeless,” she narrated. “Sitting in a car with our dogs and wondering what was going to happen.”
A Lifeline from Strangers
Eventually, they found a temporary place to stay: a small motel room just outside Los Angeles. At 71, Wood was a far cry from the red carpets she had once graced. She was sharing a motel bed with her grandson, while Evan and her husband slept in the other bed, and her oldest grandson made do with a cot. Their meals came from fast-food counters, eaten at a small patched-up table with thrifted chairs. When asked how someone with such a visible past had ended up there, her response was quiet and direct. “Real life,” she quipped.
After her story was shared publicly, supporters quickly responded. A friend created a GoFundMe campaign, explaining that Wood was not only facing homelessness but also carrying the full weight of her family’s needs, her daughter’s illness, the grandchildren, and even the family’s rescue animals. The campaign originally set a goal of $10,000, but the response far exceeded expectations, ultimately raising $39,635 and allowing Wood and her family to move out of the motel and into a modest rental. Wood was stunned by the generosity, writing, “I seriously didn’t think I’d make it through this part of my life. It felt like the end… You have literally saved a life at a time when my family and I were hopeless.”
A Sudden, Unthinkable Loss
Just as the family had begun to settle into a new routine, Evan’s health got worse. She went into full cardiac arrest and was declared brain dead at 42. Wood shared the news with her supporters online, calling it the most devastating moment of her life. “I never thought I would be planning my daughter’s funeral. But here I am… in deep desperation and agony,” she shared, asking for continued support not for herself, but to give Evan a proper burial.
Even before Evan’s death, Wood had been dealing with her own chronic health issues. She was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, conditions that caused constant joint pain, swelling, and limited mobility. “I literally live in pain 24/7,” she revealed, adding that she was “just waiting to see what else starts hurting,” a reflection of how her symptoms had spread unpredictably over time. She still made trips to the grocery store when she could. “I’m so grateful to be able to buy groceries,” she stated. “It certainly dulls the pain.”
A Return to the Screen
In 2022, Wood returned to the screen in an independent film titled “Dog Boy,” playing a fictional character, Vera Summers, a once-famous actress facing financial hardship and personal reckoning. For Wood, the role struck an unexpectedly personal chord. “There were some moments when it could have been me,” she reflected. “It fascinated me. Scared me. But it was really great to do.” The film allowed her a space to reflect on how much had changed and how much of her strength remained, marking a return to creative work after years spent focused entirely on family and survival.