Lana Wood’s Fans Raised Money to Help Her Survive after She Was Left with 3 Grandkids When Daughter Died

• Lana Wood experienced a terrible loss – the death of her daughter, whom she desperately tried to save. But she was left with her three grandkids.

• “I just never imagined people would help. I’m extremely grateful.”

Hollywood veteran Lana Wood had only one child she desperately tried to save. Her efforts to pay for her child’s treatment led to financial woes leaving her unable to afford her home. However, fans came to her rescue.

Lana Wood is a former child actress who made her film debut in “The Searchers.” After that, Wood appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, such as “Bonanza,” “Starsky,” “The Fugitive,” and “Mission Impossible,” in the ’60s.

A black and white portrait of former child actress, Lana Wood in 1966 in the United States | Source: Getty Images

Though she benefitted immensely from her famous sister, Natalie Wood’s fame, she became a household name in her own right. The producer had a daughter named Evan Maldonado, who struggled with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Per Express, in 2017, Vanity Fair reported that Wood had endured tough times caring for her terminally ill daughter, financial woes, and health issues. The article revealed the mother of one was being evicted from her home while Maldonado’s cancer had returned when they believed it had been cured, but fans chipped in on the GoFundMe page:

“It’s pretty bad. The landlord wants us out – now – and we don’t have anywhere to go. We are a family of six.”

Actress Lana Wood posing with her daughter Evan Maldonado on September 28, 2000 in Thousand Oaks, California | Source: Getty Images

Wood explained that her daughter had to walk “strapped to an oxygen machine.” Sadly, Maldonado passed away in July 2017 at age 42. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is rare cancer affecting the lymphatic system, which is responsible for keeping the immune system functioning.

According to Fox News, before her death, Wood revealed on the GoFundMe page that she had suffered a heart attack and that her condition had become critical:

“Maldonado went into full cardiac arrest and had no heartbeat for over 20 minutes. She has been intubated and is on life support.”

Evan Maldonado shows off a small ring given to her by her mother’s sister, actress Natalie Wood taken on September 28, 2000 in Thousand Oaks, California | Source: Getty Images

Maldonado left behind three children whom her mother had to take care of following her death. She, her mom, husband, and kids had been living in a motel outside Los Angeles while struggling to make ends meet.

Wood previously told Fox News that her daughter’s medical bills strapped her financially, leading to homelessness after failing to pay for their California rented home.

Lana Wood attends an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences special 50th anniversary screening of “The Searchers” at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on June 23, 2006 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

The “Wild Faith” star divulged that she too had health issues, including arthritis, adding doctors had yet to find more long-term relief for her:

“I realized [I was in trouble] for quite a while, but it seemed like we were able to bail out. We had more health problems than expected. It’s difficult.”

Regardless of those challenging times in the Hollywood star’s life, she overcame them.

Wood Reflects on Being Broke and Homeless

In April 2017, Wood told Inside Edition that the experience of squeezing in with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren in a motel was devastating for the kids. They only had water and snacks in their makeshift kitchen and only ate fast food.

Asked what happened to her, “The Marshal” star said life occurred. “You live in a snow globe, and the world is turned upside down, emotional. It’s like the rugs have been pulled out from under you. And it’s just difficult to live with.”

Lana Wood pictured with her family, granddaughter Daphne, daughter Evan Maldonado and grandson Nicholas at their backyard on September 28, 2000 in Thousand Oaks, California | Source: Getty Images

Wood said losing her daughter was traumatic for the kids, but she managed to bounce back despite it all. Fortunately, per Page Six, Wood’s friend Gregor Gillespie set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the public figure. Fans generously donated $29, 635 at that moment, surpassing the initial $10,000 goal.

Wood expressed to The New York Post that she was beyond thankful for the fans that pitched to get her out of trouble while admitting she never thought they would come to her rescue:

“I just never imagined that people would help. I’m extremely grateful.”

Wood Bounced Back from Life’s Hardships

Since Wood’s dark times, there have been some new developments in her life, giving her a reason to be happy and less stressed about finances. In September 2022, Fox News reported the Hollywood starlet landed a new acting gig in Flixwest’s “Dog Boy.”

Wood plays Vera Summers, an egocentric Hollywood star on the brink of bankruptcy. The character mirrors her real-life experience, something she reflected on during the interview with the publication.

She noted that the role resonated with her personal life as she easily connected with “many of the things the character was and had gone through.

Producer Lana Wood photographed wearing a green polo neck jumper underneath a green suede jacket in 1970 | Source: Getty Images

Wood, who famously played Bond girl, Plenty O’Toole in 1971’s “Diamonds Are Forever” film, said, “there were some moments when it could have been me. It fascinated me. Scared me. But it was really great to do.”

The movie star noted the said moments when the character was asked what had happened with all the money she made – and her response was she had spent it all thinking the money would always roll in – which she later found was not the case.

Wood said that specific scene echoed her reality which was touching. “But what a wonderful experience,” said the California native.

Lana Wood attends the 2011 Chiller Theatre Expo at the Hilton Parsippany on October 29, 2011 in Parsippany, New Jersey | Source: Getty Images

To date, Wood still looks after her grandkids, who live with her, and emphasized that they had never been separated since their mother’s passing. They now have a place to call home with their cats and dogs.

Wood explained the living arrangement and her relationship with the grandkids, joking that although they have one another, there is still some bickering here and there.

“We’ve got each other. We argue over cooking and meals. One of the kids is home-schooled, and I’m there with him, trying to understand algebra. But I’m very content,” said Wood.

Lana Wood arrives at the opening ceremony of Las Vegas Car Stars at the Fremont Street Experience on May 17, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada | Source: Getty Images

When speaking about making a comeback on the big screen, she revealed she was welcomed with open arms on set. However, Wood also divulged it was scary and nerve-wracking to return to do what she does best for the first time in years.

She explained that “Dog Boy” is an independent film with quite many crew members, but she felt like she was coming back home once she returned and quickly made friends with almost everyone. That got her nerves out the window.