OK Takes a look back over the life and career of one of Hollywood's true Legends.



For most actors stardom can be a temporary and fickle business. But not so for the charismatic and irrepressibly talented Robert Wagner. Having recently celebrated his 70th birthday, it comes as no surprise that he is still in demand after a successful 50 year career in film, television and theatre. While many of his contemporaries have resigned themselves to a cozy retirement in the sunshine, Robert remains committed to acting. This year alone he has seven films hitting the cinemas in America. This is after Completing a successful theatre tour through 1999 with his actress wife Jill ST John, 58, in a touching play called LOVE LETTERS, by acclaimed author Pete Gurney.

But the role that really re-ignited Robert Wagner's appeal to a mass audience is one that many would never have associated him with ten, 20 or 30 years ago. As Number Two, the devilishly charming deputy to Dr Evil in the hugely successful Austin Powers movies, he showed his critics and fans alike that age is certainly no barrier when you are a true star. 'It's amazing to be in a film like that,' he recalls. 'A totally far out comedy is an amazing thing to be involved in'.

Robert has seen many changes in the film world and Hollywood since he started in show business back in 1950. Unlike the thousands of hopefuls who flock to Tinsel town-seeking stardom, Robert was discovered by a talent scout who saw him eating in a Beverly Hills restaurant with his parents. His striking good looks, obvious charisma and now-famous deep sexy voice, meant that the young Robert Wagner had all the ingredients a fifties Hollywood audience craved.



His career took off in 1952 with the emotive war movie A SONG IN MY HEART, released during the Korean War. In fairytale fashion, his reputation as a teenage idol was cemented when he met and fell in love with the beautiful and awe-inspiring Natalie Wood. Within a year of meeting they married, attracting press coverage the world over. Together they; were one of the hottest couples in show business. But it wasn't long before their every move was dissected by the press. Rumours that Natalie was involved with her co-stars - including James Dean, whom she starred with in Rebel Without a Cause - put a strain on their relationship. The rumours became reality when Natalie became infatuated with Warren Beatty. When she eventually left Robert for Warren, resulting in divorce in 1962, the heartbroken actors confidence dropped to an all time low.



In the same year he moved abroad to get away from the pressures of his private life. It proved a good move for the star. He landed a starring role in the critically acclaimed The Longest Day, breaking box office records around the world. Shortly after completing the film he met his second wife Marion Marshall. The couple married in 1963 just as his new film The Pink Panther was receiving rave reviews. One of the happiest events of his life followed - the birth of daughter Kate on May 12 1964. Kate now works as a model and assists in her fathers TV production company. By the end of 1970 his marriage of Marion was disintegrating and they; divorced the following year, after Robert had a brief fling with Tina Sinartra daughter of Frank Sinartra.



It was during this time that his relationship with Natalie Wood was rekindled. The glamorous pair started dating and were remarried in July 1972. Their daughter Courtney was born two years later on March 9, 1974.

Major success beckoned Wagner in 1979 when he took the role of Jonathan Hart in the popular crime series Hart to Hart alongside Stefanie Powers. But just as his television career was making Robert world famous again, tragedy struck. After enjoying a wonderful 9 year long second marriage, Natalie drowned aged 43 in a boating accident.

Her death left Robert so devastated that at times he felt he would never recover. It was not until he met up with actress Jill St John in 1985 that his heart finally began to heal. After a loving 5 year courtship they married in 1990 and remain devoted to each other living happily in their magnificent Aspen home in the hills of Colorado.



To the joy of their friends and family they embarked on a successful theatre tour last year, reflecting their strong companionship and love.

The Robert Wagner of today has learnt some of life's harsher lessons and endured many highs and lows in his 40-year career. Nevertheless, his 3 hit series Switch, It Takes a Thief and Hart to Hart have made him a millionaire several times over. He owns several racehorses and a successful clothing company. On top of all this, Hollywood has been reminded that they still have a star in Robert after his recent box office success in the Austin Powers movies.



But despite his enormous wealth and on-going career achievements, Robert Wagner maintains a wonderfully down-to earth appeal.

As he puts it 'What has always saved me is that I have always had a life apart from acting. I'm healthy, my kids are healthy, Ive been fortunate in being able to do things in my life that I wanted to do. I'm not sitting around saying "I could have been there.' You see, I'm here where I want to be.