In the 1970s, she was a star - beautiful, talented, confident! It seemed her path in Hollywood was just beginning, and nothing could stand in her way… But life had other plans… First, she lost her career. That blow knocked the ground out from under her feet… but the worst was still ahead, because later fate took even more from her… To save her daughter’s life, she gave everything she had, down to the very last dollar! She fought desperately, as hard as she could but the price was too high - she had to become homeless and lose everything…

A Heavy Diagnosis

Lana Wood’s life had always been incredibly bright but at one moment the light dimmed… Her daughter received a serious diagnosis, which we will talk about a little later, that required constant care, expensive medications, and medical equipment… Every week brought new bills, and the family’s finances could no longer keep up.

1 (9).jpg @Getty Images

What once seemed impossible — payments for equipment, visits to specialists, prescriptions — became harder and harder to cover every day… one day Lana cried the whole day, not knowing what to do next…
— How am I going to handle this? - Lana quietly asked herself, sitting at the kitchen table.

It Seemed Like Her Strength Was Running Out…

She wished someone would be there to support her — a friend, her husband, her parents, anyone… but she had to face everything alone. She became the support for her sick daughter and granddaughter… besides the grandmother, they had no one to rely on, as frightening as that sounded…

@Rozette Rago for The New York Times

Lana stayed silent, clenching her fists, while inside everything boiled: Maybe I’m already not coping? What if tomorrow is even worse? However, her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door that would turn everything upside down…

Now They Wanted To Take Away Her Dream…

After eight years in their California home, someone knocked on the door… and that knock changed everything. The financial pressure had reached its limit, and they were told they had only seven days to vacate the house. The house that had once been Lana’s dream, a dream she had turned into reality…
— You don’t understand… we have nowhere to go! - Lana begged, tears streaming down her cheeks.

— Only these pills, and nothing else — the sheriff said calmly, pointing to her daughter’s medicine bottles. — Everything else here no longer belongs to you. That day, they lost almost everything — the home, the familiar comfort, the sense of security. Her sick daughter and little granddaughter didn’t understand what was happening, the dogs whined nervously, and Lana barely held back her tears in front of them…

Gathering The Essentials

The family quickly rushed to collect what they could save…
— Take the medicine, Evan, and the documents! — Lana shouted, sorting through the boxes.
— Mom, what about Daphne’s toys? — asked her daughter, holding a small doll.

— We’ll take only the most important things, the rest later… if there even is a later — Lana replied, her heart breaking at the thought of leaving so many cherished items behind. They packed in silence but tension hung in the air. Every object reminded them of their past life: photographs, letters, books… All of it was now heading into the unknown.

Where Do We Go?

Once the boxes were packed, the hardest question arose: where could they go?
— Maybe Aunt Mary? She lives alone… - suggested her daughter.
— I called her… she said there’s no space, she’s really sorry — Lana replied, her voice trembling.

— Maybe one of the friends? — her husband asked, trying to find any option.
— I called Jane… she also said no. Everyone’s busy… Lana, we have no Plan B - her daughter said almost in a whisper. The family sat on the floor, surrounded by boxes, dogs cuddled close. No one knew what to do next; only one thing was clear: they had to stick together, no matter what…

Night In The Car

The realization that they would have to leave the house that very day was almost unbearable.
— Can we at least take the blankets and the dogs? — Lana asked the sheriff again.
— You can take the blankets but only those, and nothing else — the sheriff replied coldly.

That night, they were homeless for the first time: Lana, her daughter, her little granddaughter, and two dogs — all in the car, parked under the dim streetlight.
— What will we do tomorrow? — whispered her daughter.
— Just stay close to me, we’ll find a way… we will definitely find a way — Lana tried to convince herself that hope still existed.

In The Motel With Family And Pets...

The only option left was a tiny motel room near Los Angeles. Two beds, a fold-out cot, and six people with two dogs — that was all they had. Fast food for meals, a microwave, old broken chairs…
— High-tech living — Lana said sarcastically, trying to hide her bitterness with a joke.

@Getty Images

— At least we have a roof over our heads — Evans said, trying to lift her spirits.
— Why is all this happening to us… — Lana whispered to herself, looking at her granddaughter who had fallen asleep on the worn-out little bed.

Farewell To The Past And Memories

Lana, once a dazzling screen star, now saw her life in a different light. Dresses from red carpets, film sets, premieres - all remained in the past. Every day in the motel and every care for her daughter reminded her that real life could be far harder than any movie.

@Getty Images

— This isn’t Hollywood, this is real life - she said, looking at herself in the mirror in the morning, trying to keep the despair out of her voice. Inside, everything screamed: “I was used to applause, and now — only silence and fear…”

Strength And Courage That Doesn’t Fade

Despite everything, Lana kept moving forward. She learned to appreciate small victories — a place to sleep, food, the ability to care for those who needed her… Each day was a challenge, every step required strength.
— Mom, will everything be okay? — asked her daughter, looking at her with big eyes.
— Yes, my little star, everything will be okay — Lana answered, though she herself was not sure.

9 (5).jpg @Natalie Wood's Sister Lana, a Former Bond Girl, Now Struggles to Make Ends Meet/Inside Edition/YouTube.com

Even in these difficult moments, Lana found strength: she laughed with her children over empty fast food bags, joking about the “glamorous motel kitchen,” and felt that as long as she had her family — there was hope… however, she had no idea that even more difficult trials awaited her, and that this was only the beginning…

And It All Began So Promisingly…

Lana Wood was born into a family where movies were discussed around the clock… Film sets, spotlights, conversations about castings at the kitchen table — all of this surrounded her from the very first days of her life. And it’s no wonder, since Natalie Wood, Lana’s older sister, was already a famous actress.

@Getty Images/Courtesy of Lana Wood/Delivered by Newsmakers

Natalie and eventually Lana herself first appeared in front of the camera when she was just a few months old in the film The Star. Lana was filmed in a tiny scene but later she didn’t make it into the final cut, which was the first time it hurt her when she was a little older…

A Little Girl’s Misunderstanding…

— Mom, why did they cut me out of the movie? — little Lana squinted at the screen when the film was released.
— They didn’t cut you, sweetie… They just made the movie shorter, — her mother smiled gently, although Lana already felt a slight burning inside. As if the world was hinting: the path would be difficult…

11 (2).jpg @Getty Images/Courtesy of Lana Wood/Delivered by Newsmakers

But her first real role came at age ten — Lana played the young version of her celebrated sister Natalie’s character in the big studio western The Searchers (1956). And it was the beginning of a long journey…

It Wasn’t That Simple…

It was a role that forever linked their destinies — one was already becoming a legend, the other was just beginning a path full of expectations and comparisons with her famous sister…

@AFP via Getty Images

On set, Lana often caught admiring, yet sympathetic glances:
— You’re just like your sister… But you have your own spark, hear me? — said the makeup artist Dan, carefully adjusting a girlish curl.
She nodded but inside she thought: “My own spark… But will anyone even see it?” Those endless comparisons made her feel out of place…

Growing Up Beside A Legend

As a teenager, Lana already knew firmly: she would become a star no matter what. Almost every week — auditions… Sometimes in cheap rooms with peeling walls, sometimes in huge offices where producers looked at her as if mentally comparing her to her sister.
— You look so much like Natalie, — she heard again and again.
— I’m Lana, — she replied every time, as if defending her own name.

@static.wikia.nocookie.net

In the 1960s, she began appearing regularly on television: Perry Mason, The Wild Wild West, Dr. Kildare… She moved from guest spots to recurring roles, building her career like a puzzle — patiently, stubbornly, step by step… approaching one of the most important roles of her life!

A Brightness That Could No Longer Be Ignored

By the late 1960s, Lana finally began stepping out of the shadow of her famous surname. She was noticed and comparisons stopped! She began getting roles where she could truly shine: crime dramas, westerns, even romantic stories.

@parade.com

Directors spoke of her “magnetic courage,” producers noted her “sincerity and fire.” And journalists wrote that Lana possessed “that very Hollywood fragility that suddenly turns into strength.”

Seize The Moment!

— Lana, do you realize this is your moment now? — a co-star once said to her on set.
— I know… I’m just not sure the world is ready, — she smiled with a touch of sadness.

15 (5).jpg

@celebs/reddit.com

She knew: her path was not a gift from fate but the result of a struggle for her own place in the sun… yet at that time she had no idea that her fame would both ignite and fade… nevertheless, she felt on top, and life had another surprise in store for her!

The Casting That Changed Her Life

Lana sat in the audition room, gripping the script so tightly it seemed it might dissolve if she loosened her hold. Photos of actresses vying for the same role hung on the wall… All bright, confident, already familiar to the world. And she… she felt she didn’t measure up… after all, the casting was for a James Bond film!

She was called in suddenly…
— Lana Wood? Are you ready? She wasn’t sure but she entered the room calmly and with pride…

Nervousness Hit Her Like Never Before…

In the room sat the producers, the director, and the casting director — and all looked at her as if testing whether she could withstand this challenge.
— Start when you’re ready, — one of them said.

And she began. Her voice trembled at first but after a few seconds Lana felt something — that very spark that once made her fall in love with cinema for the first time…When she finished, silence followed. Long silence…

And What Does It All Mean?!

Lana couldn’t hold back:
— If you need something… brighter, I can…
— No need, — interrupted the director. — we’ve all seen…
— Thank you, Lana, — the director said softly. — We will be in touch.

And that was it — no smile, not even a tiny hope…She left, clenching her fingers so tightly her nails dug into her palms… she had dreamed so much of getting this role…

A Week Of Silence That Felt Like Eternity

Those seven days were torture. It seemed all of Hollywood knew she was waiting for a call but the phone remained silent. Every evening she walked back and forth across the room…

— Maybe I ruined everything? — she said to her mother. — Maybe I was too harsh? Or too quiet? Or… too myself?
— Stop it, Lana, — her mother replied. — If the role is yours — it will be yours.

So Close To A Nervous Breakdown…

But words of consolation didn’t help. She woke up in the middle of the night, checked her phone, then couldn’t sleep again. She tried to read — it didn’t work.

Watch TV — irritating. Work — impossible… On the sixth day, Lana almost cried when she saw that the phone was empty again.
— That’s it… — she whispered. — They’ve already chosen someone else.

The Call That Changed Everything

On the seventh day, the phone finally rang. Lana jumped so hard she dropped a glass.
— Yes? Hello?
— This is Albert’s office, — said a woman on the other end. — Miss Wood, are you available to talk? Lana froze. Her heart pounded in her temples.

— Yes… yes, of course.
— We are happy to inform you that you have been approved for the role of Plenty O’Toole in the new James Bond film. The world stopped existing for a second…

Endless Euphoria!

— Is this… real?..
— Absolutely. Preparation will begin in two weeks. Congratulations. She hung up and just sat there. Long, completely motionless… “I did it… I really did it…”
— Do you think this is even possible? A role in Bond? Me?!

— Why not? — her mother replied. — You’ve worked your whole life. You deserve it. But Lana still doubted herself because Hollywood rarely gave lead roles to those who grew up in someone else’s shadow.

Filming That Became The Beginning Of A Legend

The first day on set felt like a dream. Costume designers picked dresses that sparkled so brightly they seemed blinding. The set smelled faintly of hairspray, smoke, and expensive perfume — the scent of real Bond-ian glamour. Sean Connery approached her first.

@celebs/reddit.com

— You’re the new actress?
— Looks like it, — she smiled nervously.
— Relax, — he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. — If you passed our casting, you’re stronger than you think. And for her, these words meant more than he could imagine…

The Spark Nobody Expected

On the set, everything was alive: cameras moving, assistants running, the director giving commands. But every time Sean Connery glanced at Lana, she felt something tremble inside. He was dazzlingly confident, playful, witty. And she — new, fragile, inexperienced but incredibly alive. After one take, he came closer than the scene required.

@Arif Babu/facebook.com

— You’re handling this well, Lana. Not everyone manages the first day.
— So I didn’t fail? — she smiled, trying to hide her excitement.
— You’re shining. It’s even dangerous… She laughed, unable to believe it was happening in reality. From that day, their conversations became longer, and their glances warmer.

Secret Smiles And Too Many Coincidences

They found themselves near each other more often: at lunch, by the makeup station, behind the scenes. Nobody said anything aloud but the crew saw that the chemistry between them was almost tangible. One evening, he held his gaze on her longer than usual.

25 (1).jpg

@Courtesy Everett Collection

— You have eyes I could get lost in.
— Do you say that to all the girls on set?
— Only to those dangerous to my peace of mind. He spoke half-jokingly but her heart dropped. Everything spun quickly. Walks after shifts, a bottle of wine at the hotel bar, conversations until late at night. She felt for the first time that someone looked at her not as “Natalie Wood’s younger sister” but as a woman.

A Romance That Felt Like Magic

He knew how to charm. He did it easily, almost unconsciously. But with her — differently. Softer, more attentive…
— You surprise me, Lana, — he said one day. — There’s more strength in you than you think.

@Courtesy Everett Collection

— And there’s more warmth in you than you show, — she replied softly. He took her hand, and in that moment, it seemed the world became quieter, softer. She did not resist. Perhaps she couldn’t have even if she wanted to… Those were weeks filled with romance and passion… Filming was no longer just work — everything revolved around when she would see him again.

The First Warning Sign…

In the women’s makeup room, everything was discussed: makeup, costumes… and men.
— They say he’s seeing an actress from London again, — a makeup artist casually said, arranging brushes. Lana flinched.
— Who?

— Didn’t catch the name. But apparently, they’ve known each other for a long time. She tried to smile but her heart tightened. When she met him that evening, she couldn’t resist:
— Sean… do you have someone?
He looked down at his glass.
— Lana, it’s Hollywood. Everyone says something here.
— Meaning? It’s not true?
He was silent for too long.
— It’s… more complicated than it seems.

The Truth She Didn’t Want To Hear

The next day, Lana tried to get an answer from the costume assistant, who knew everything.
— I don’t want to pry… but is it true? Does he have someone else?
The assistant sighed.

— Lana… he’s a man used to the world falling at his feet. Yes, he’s seeing another actress. They’ve been visible for a long time. But he… doesn’t stop playing games. Lana’s heart dropped into emptiness.
— So he… isn’t alone?
— He’s never alone. Those words hit painfully…

The Conversation That Broke Everything!

She waited for him in the evening, gathering the last bits of courage.
— I need to know the truth, — she said. — Are you with her?
He looked at her for a long time, as if choosing the right words.
— Lana… I tried not to promise you anything. We are adults. I care about you very much… But I really have a relationship. And I cannot destroy it.

— But you… you were with me!
— And that is also true… She covered her face with her hands, trying not to cry.
— I thought there was something real between us.
— It is real. Just… not meant for the future. Those words burned her from within. She stepped back.
— Thank you for your honesty, even if it’s late!

The Last Days On Set, Full Of Silence

She could no longer look at him the same way. The camera kept rolling, and her heart fell every time he had to take her hand for the scene. He tried to speak a couple of times.
— Lana… let’s at least…

@celebs/reddit.com

— Please, don’t, — she replied. They filmed scene after scene, and each take felt like a cut. Others felt it but nobody interfered — Hollywood knew how to keep uncomfortable secrets.

What Remained After Them

When filming ended, he approached her one last time.
— You’re a wonderful actress. And a wonderful person.
— Too bad that’s not enough, — she said quietly. He smiled sadly...

31 (2).jpg

@celebs/reddit.com

— For me - it’s enough. But life… sometimes it isn’t. She nodded and walked away without looking back. Her steps echoed through the corridor, and her soul was torn to pieces but only she knew it…

How One Role Opened Doors And Locked Them…

Despite the failed romance, Lana’s debut in the Bond film was a huge success! Her character, Plenty O’Toole, became her calling card. The world spoke about Lana Wood — bold, sincere, striking, unforgettable. Her photographs were published in the most famous magazines… But there was another effect. Producers called and said the same thing:
— We need Lana… you know… your “Bondian” version.

@celebs/reddit.com

— What if I play it differently?
— But people want her. She felt for the first time how fame becomes a cage. Yet she continued, because she believed: this path would lead to something greater! To a film where she would be more than just decoration. But fate was already preparing a blow that would shatter her hopes…

The Crisis She Was Afraid to Speak Aloud

After the Bond movie, it seemed that her life should finally be taking off, since the role of a Bond girl usually opened many doors! But several months passed, and Lana felt that a completely different time had come: every new project looked pale and hopeless compared to that film, and producers increasingly gave her polite refusals...

@getty

The phone had been silent for so long that the silence became almost tragic... She worked, tried, went to auditions but the feeling that her career was slowly but surely falling apart never left her for a day. Alongside this, Lana started having high-profile romances with actors, appeared in headlines, heard her own name in gossip — but behind all this noise, there was an emptiness that tormented her from within...

The Meeting That Turned Her World Upside Down

This meeting happened almost by chance — so naturally that Lana later thought for a long time that it was not a coincidence but destiny. His name was Richard Smedley, he was also an actor, and they literally bumped into each other at one of the parties.

A casual conversation started, and at some point, he unexpectedly said to her:
— You hide your fatigue, even though you think no one notices.
— I’m not hiding anything.
— You are, Lana. You live as if you are constantly trying to prove something to someone, I’ve been watching you for a long time…Lana was stunned!

The Astonishing Straightforwardness That Conquered Her

Lana was stunned, not immediately knowing how to respond to such words. No one had ever told her directly that they could see her real exhaustion; everyone was used to admiring the exterior shell, and here — complete honesty. She paused for a second, and then with a slight smile said:
— You are too straightforward, Richard, we’ve only known each other for a few minutes...

— Maybe, — he replied calmly, smiling. — But I don’t know any other way. And I’m not interested in playing games. This straightforwardness immediately set him apart from everyone Lana knew in Hollywood. And this meeting really was fateful...

Could It Be That She Finally Found “The One”?

He didn’t court her pompously, didn’t try to impress with loud words or luxurious gifts, didn’t try to “win her over” with expensive presents. Everything was simple and sincere.

He was interested in her as a person, listened without interrupting, noticed small details that others seemed to ignore. He would come over when she was tired, bring coffee, just sit next to her and say:
— How was your day? Do you want me not to ask anything, just be here with you? Lana couldn’t believe she had met a man who seemed to her like “the one”...

The Romance That Brought Her Back to Herself...

Their relationship developed naturally, almost imperceptibly but with each day it grew stronger. Richard turned out to be a person with incredible warmth and patience: he always did small but meaningful things for her — made coffee the way she liked, covered her with a blanket when she fell asleep after a long day, and never tried to impress anyone — it was important for him to be himself. One evening he said quietly:
— Lana, I’ve wanted to say this for a long time… I love you. She froze for a moment, not because she didn’t expect these words but because she was afraid to admit them to herself.

Lana was confused:
— Don’t say that if you… if you’re not sure...
— I’m sure. I want you to know that. And at that moment, the world around seemed brighter, and without hiding her emotions, she whispered:
— Me too, Richard… I love you too. That night she fell asleep peacefully for the first time in many years, feeling that she had finally found a place where she could be herself. However, at that time, she didn’t even suspect how fragile their happiness would be...

Back in the Spotlight!

After their romance became known, Lana and Richard began appearing together at the brightest Hollywood parties. They were discussed in magazines, photographed by paparazzi, whispered about at gatherings — Lana once again felt herself at the center of attention, as if she had returned to a world where anything was possible.

Her days were filled with social events, photoshoots, outfits she could previously only see on magazine covers. Richard was there, and together they seemed like the perfect couple, both shining, both drawing attention. She bloomed — literally blossomed... the days she would later lose, she would remember with incredible longing...

Brighter Than Everyone!

At that time, her laughter was heard everywhere, and her outfits became bolder, brighter, more luxurious. Money flowed like a river, invitations to parties never stopped, and the press attention made Lana once again taste former fame.

39 (1).jpg @celebs/reddit.com

She enjoyed every minute — literally bathed in applause, admiring glances, and slight envy from those around her... But even in all this, Lana could not yet imagine that it was all temporary.

The Day That Changed Everything

One morning, Lana woke up with a strange feeling that the day would be special. She sat in silence, holding the doctor’s reports, and still could not believe what was happening...

@celebs/reddit.com

When Richard entered the room, he immediately felt that something had changed.
— Lana… what is it? She silently handed him the report, worried about his reaction. He looked at it carefully, then lifted his eyes, in which growing happiness appeared...

Overwhelmed With Joy!

— So… we really are expecting a child?
— It seems so… — she barely whispered, still unable to find solid ground beneath her feet. He came closer, hugged her, and whispered by her temple:
— You have no idea how happy you make me.

And only then did she break down — tears of fear, joy, and excitement mixed, and she allowed herself to be vulnerable, because she knew: next to her was the one she could always rely on. But how wrong she was...

A Pregnancy Full of Risks

Lana and Richard got married away from everyone and felt incredibly happy... By the way, Lana’s pregnancy immediately turned out to be complicated. The doctors said there were risks, and Lana spent a long time on bed rest in the hospital. Every movement seemed important, every change in her condition — a reason for concern.

She feared for the child, feared for herself but she knew Richard was nearby. He called every hour, came over, held her hand, and said:
— Everything will be fine, Lana. I’m here, and we’ll get through this together. Even in the most difficult moments, his calm gave her support. However, she began to worry... because while she was lying pregnant, her colleagues were taking the best roles... moreover, journalists literally drove her crazy...

The Noise of the Press and Nasty Gossip

While Lana was on bed rest, the press did not leave her alone. Headlines appeared claiming that Richard was supposedly partying with other women, going out to parties, and allegedly “not keeping his word.” Lana could not withstand this flood of rumors. She had a meltdown right in the hospital room, tears streaming down her cheeks, hands shaking, heart feeling like it would break.

— Lana, listen to me, - said Richard, sitting next to her and hugging her gently. — It’s all lies. I haven’t gone anywhere and haven’t been with anyone. I’m with you, and that’s all that matters. He looked her straight in the eyes, and gradually the anxiety gave way to trust. Lana realized that no lies or gossip could overcome what they truly had.

That Very Day...

When the day of childbirth arrived, Lana felt the first contractions. Everything around seemed to slow down: pain, fear, and anticipation mixed into a strange feeling impossible to describe in words. Richard held her hand, stroked her shoulder, and whispered:
— Everything will be fine, Lana. I’m with you, breathe, I’m here. And after 10 hours - the first cry of the baby... Lana could not believe her ears: this tiny, trembling but strong sound meant that everything was over.

Her daughter was here. When the small, warm body was placed on her chest, Lana closed her eyes, letting tears of joy and relief flow freely.
— She… is ours… — she whispered, barely catching her breath. Richard hugged her from behind, his voice trembling:
— Thank you for this miracle… Thank you for letting me be here. At that moment, Lana realized that their life would never be the same again... and how right she had been... she just didn’t yet understand to what extent!

Everything Was So Well...

The first months after her daughter’s birth felt like pure happiness for Lana. She barely slept at night, learned to change diapers, prepared dozens of bottles, and every day was afraid she might do something wrong but there was so much warmth inside her that she almost did not notice the fatigue. Sometimes she sat by the crib, watching the baby breathe softly, and whispered, “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

45 (7).jpg @getty

Her husband would wrap his arm around her shoulders and reply with confidence:
— We will manage, really. We will get through everything.
She nodded, trying not to show how overwhelmed she felt. In those moments she believed their family was the strongest one in the world! But the years went by, and their bond slowly began to break...

How Everything Started Falling Apart

At first it was barely noticeable. They began talking less, arguing more, often about meaningless little things. Lana still tried to hold everything together — she organized family dinners, tried to spend more time with him, did everything she could. But one day he sat across from her and said almost in a whisper, as if he was afraid of his own words:
— I am tired. I no longer know who we are to each other.

She stayed silent for a long time, feeling something inside her break completely and irreversibly. Four years after their daughter was born, their marriage fell apart. He left, and Lana remained — with a child in her arms, with the heavy weight of responsibility and a constant fear of making a mistake. But she straightened her back and told herself, “You must. You have no right to give up.” That was how her long life alone with her daughter began... and already without big roles in cinema...

Years Together

The years passed quickly. Her daughter grew up, became an adult, wise and strong. Sometimes Lana looked at her and thought, “Is this really the same little girl I carried around at night in my arms?” And when her daughter became a mother herself, Lana almost cried with happiness as she held her granddaughter for the first time.

@getty

But even here fate did not give them an easy path: her daughter’s husband disappeared as well, leaving the three of them on their own. Lana often joked:
— Well, girls, seems like it is once again us carrying the whole world on our shoulders?
And her daughter laughed:
— Mom, the most important thing is that we are together.
They lived quietly and peacefully, enjoying simple moments — breakfasts in the kitchen, children’s laughter, long walks. No one imagined that this happiness could collapse so abruptly...

The First Symptoms

When Evan first complained about being tired, they both blamed it on stress, work, the responsibilities of raising a child. But the symptoms became stronger. Her daughter grew pale, lost strength, sometimes had fevers, sometimes lost her appetite. Lana kept pleading:
— Let’s go to the doctor. This is not just fatigue.
— Mom, really… — Evan sighed. — Do not panic. It will pass.

@getty

But it did not pass…Endless tests, examinations, consultations began. And then one day the doctor sat across from them, folded his hands on the table, and said the one word that made Lana’s vision blur: lymphoma. Her daughter squeezed her hand and whispered:
— Mom, please… just do not cry.
But she already felt her entire carefully built world collapsing from the inside.

Incredibly Difficult Treatment

The treatment was expensive and exhausting. Lana took out all her savings without hesitation. Then she sold her jewelry, her car, and a few months later — her house. She did not allow herself to stop and think about what was happening. The only important thing was one single truth:
— You will get better. I will do everything, do you hear me? Everything.

49 (1).jpg @getty

They moved into a cheap motel with thin walls and noisy neighbors. Sometimes her daughter would look around and say quietly:
— Mom, I do not want you to sacrifice so much.
And Lana would simply place her hand on her cheek and answer:
— This is not a sacrifice. This is just love.
But the illness was merciless. And eventually, it took Evan away...

The Farewell and the Hope

When Lana held her daughter’s hand in her final moments, it felt as if her heart was breaking into thousands of sharp pieces. She whispered:
— Mom… — Evan breathed out barely audibly. — You did everything. And even more.
Lana would hear these words for the rest of her life.
At the age of 70 she was left alone — with her granddaughter and a huge emptiness inside… Yet life still brought her back to the place where her journey once began. In her seventies, Wood appeared in the independent film Dog-Boy.

@imbd.com

She played Vera Summers — an actress experiencing doubts, financial difficulties, and personal crises. The role was fictional but at some point Lana realized she was not portraying a character but her own shadow. And perhaps most importantly — despite mourning, despite tears, despite the trials that could have broken anyone, Lana did not lose her ability to believe. To believe in the light, in warm days, in small joys. And we truly hope that ahead of her there will finally be the harmony and the happiness she has earned with her long and difficult life…

Site Map

Tags