“Natalie Was Always In Search For An Older Man To Give Her Guidance In Life... [Laurence] Olivier Filled

“Natalie was always in search for an older man to give her guidance in life... [Laurence] Olivier filled that role, and she adored and trusted him... Once, we all sailed to Long Beach, right past the Queen Mary... I have pictures of Olivier looking at the Queen Mary and crying. I asked, “Why are you crying?” and he said, “When Vivien Leigh came from England to meet me in Hollywood, she sailed on this boat. And this means so much to me.” Olivier said Natalie reminded him of a young Vivien, and Natalie, who had always been a big fan, asked a lot of questions about her.” as recalled by photographer and friend Michael Childers.

Excerpt from “Natalie Wood : Reflections on a Legendary Life”; Natalie Wood photographed by Ernst Haas in 1961; Vivien Leigh photographed in 1939.