This '70s Icon Became Homeless with 3 Grandkids While Trying to Save Her Sick Daughter – Her Story

She once walked among Hollywood's elite, starring in hit films and attending glamorous events. But decades later, she was searching for a place to sleep, with her family's belongings packed into bags. The life she had built was slipping away, and there was little she could do to stop it.

She found fame at a young age, appearing in films and television shows that made her a recognizable face. As the sister of a Hollywood legend, she seemed destined for lasting success. But Hollywood can be unforgiving, and the work eventually slowed down.

Without steady income, she struggled to stay afloat, but it got worse when her daughter fell seriously ill. Medical bills drained her savings, and when she could no longer afford rent, she lost her home. With nowhere else to go, she was left relying on the kindness of strangers.

Hollywood Beginnings: A Career in the Spotlight

Born on March 1, 1946, she was introduced to the entertainment industry at an early age. She made her film debut as a child in "The Searchers" (1956), where she played the younger version of a character portrayed by her older sister.

With her dark hair and striking Slavic features, she quickly caught the attention of casting directors. By the 1960s, she had established herself in television. She landed a recurring role as Sandy Webber on "Peyton Place," a drama series that was one of the most-watched shows of its time.

Her striking looks and undeniable screen presence set her apart, opening doors to bigger opportunities. In 1971, she took on what would become one of her most recognizable roles — as the glamorous and flirtatious Plenty O'Toole in the James Bond film "Diamonds Are Forever."

The role solidified her status as a Hollywood beauty, and she became known for playing seductive, confident women. Over the years, she appeared in numerous films and television shows, including guest roles in "Mission: Impossible," "Bonanza," "The Fugitive," and "Starsky & Hutch."

Despite her busy career, she was often linked to her famous sister, a beloved Hollywood star whose reputation overshadowed hers. Even so, she remained a familiar face in film and television throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.

The Turning Point: Career Decline and Financial Struggles

By the mid-1980s, her once-thriving career had begun to stall. Although she had appeared in more than 50 films and television shows between the 1950s and early 1980s, the roles became fewer and further apart.

Hollywood was changing, and for aging actresses, opportunities were increasingly limited. Unlike some of her peers who transitioned into producing or directing, she struggled to stay relevant. For more than two decades, from 1985 to 2008, she faced a prolonged period of professional inactivity.

The once sought-after actress now faced challenges that nothing could have prepared her for. The steady paychecks she had once relied on were gone, and she had little financial security to fall back on. With no new roles and no savings, she had to find other ways to make ends meet.

To regain stability, she briefly worked behind the scenes in the entertainment industry, taking a job as a director of development. But it was a far cry from the success she had once known, and it wasn't enough to provide long-term financial security.

While she eventually returned to acting in the late 2000s, taking on smaller roles in independent films, her financial troubles had already taken a toll. Her struggles would only intensify when a personal crisis forced her to put everything else aside.

Her Daughter's Illness and a Mother's Unwavering Support

Amid her financial troubles, a far more pressing crisis emerged — her daughter, Evan, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. The illness required aggressive treatment, including radiation therapy, which caused lasting damage to her lungs.

Although Evan initially believed she had beaten the cancer, the effects of the treatment led to severe complications. She developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which made breathing difficult and required her to rely on an oxygen compressor.

With Evan's health declining steadily, the former Hollywood star became her daughter's full-time caregiver. Every day revolved around doctor's appointments, medications, and managing the challenges of Evan's breathing condition.

The actress, who was already struggling with arthritis and high blood pressure, pushed her own health concerns aside. "It's nothing next to what my daughter goes through," she said. The medical bills quickly overwhelmed them, draining what little money they had left.

Evan's husband worked tirelessly to support the family, but his job didn't pay enough to cover both medical costs and household expenses. As rent prices climbed, they found themselves slipping further into financial instability.

Homelessness: A Family Without a Home

In 2017, after years of struggling to afford rent and mounting medical expenses, she and her family were evicted from their home of seven years. They had been renting without a formal lease, living on a month-to-month agreement.

When the landlord gave them a 10-day notice to vacate, they had no savings to secure another place. Desperate, the actress searched for affordable housing, but options were limited, and landlords were hesitant to rent to someone with an eviction on record.

With nowhere else to turn, she, Evan, Evan's husband, and their three children moved into a cramped motel room outside Los Angeles. The tiny space, meant for short-term stays, now had to function as a home for six people.

Privacy was nonexistent, and meals consisted of whatever they could store in a small fridge and microwave. Cooking was prohibited, so fast food became their only option. "It has been very difficult for the kids," she admitted. "They feel like they have no privacy."

Her 12-year-old grandson shared a bed with her, while the other children made do with a cot. The motel room, once a temporary refuge, became their reality for months as they struggled to find a way out. When asked what happened, she responded, "real life."

For an actress who had once been part of Hollywood's golden era, the contrast was stark. The designer gowns and red carpets were long gone. Instead, she now shopped for essentials at thrift stores, trying to stretch every dollar while searching for stability.

But as difficult as their situation was, things would only get worse. Evan's health continued to decline, and with limited access to proper care, the family was running out of time.

Public Reaction and Financial Support

In 2016, she gave interviews and news of her situation spread quickly, shocking those who remembered her from her Hollywood days. Many couldn't believe that a woman who had once been a sought-after actress was now struggling to afford basic necessities.

One person commented, "Once the beauty is gone, no one wants you." Another expressed disbelief, writing, "This is shocking." Others reflected on the harsh realities of the entertainment industry, with one saying, "Typical Hollywood story. So sad."

As word spread, friends stepped in to help by launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise $10,000 for the family. The response was overwhelming. Donations poured in, and the campaign ultimately raised nearly $40,000.

Overcome with gratitude, she shared updates, thanking the strangers who had helped her family survive. "I seriously didn't think I'd make it through this part of my life," she wrote. "You have literally saved a life at a time when my family and I were hopeless."

Despite the generosity of others, the money was only a temporary solution. Housing in California was expensive, and even with the funds raised, finding a permanent home was difficult. Meanwhile, Evan's health was deteriorating rapidly.

A Devastating Loss: Evan's Passing

Just as the family was beginning to find stability, tragedy struck. Evan went into full cardiac arrest, and for over 20 minutes, doctors fought to revive her. When they finally stabilized her, the news was devastating — she had suffered severe brain damage and was declared brain dead.

The actress updated supporters with heartbreaking news, writing, "Evan went into full cardiac arrest and had no heartbeat for over twenty minutes. She has been intubated and is on life support.[..] I cannot believe all this has happened. I need strong prayers for her and Nick, and I need many of them. God grant her a second chance."

Days later, she posted another update, confirming what she had feared the most.

"I never thought I would be planning my daughter's funeral. But here I am... in deep desperation and agony. Evan is brain dead, and I must plan, execute, manage, and try to keep the three kids on somewhat of an even keel. They are in deep denial, and for myself and her husband, we are in deep depression," she shared.

Evan passed away at 42, leaving behind her three children. The actress, now grieving the loss of her only daughter, was also left with the responsibility of raising Evan's children. Despite her own failing health, she focused on providing stability for them, even as she struggled to afford a proper funeral.

"Please help so Evan can have a decent funeral. Nothing fancy. Just basics but done with great love," she pleaded. She had already lost so much — her career, her home, and now her daughter. But even in the depths of grief, she had no choice but to keep going for her grieving son-in-law and grandchildren.

Caring for Her Grandchildren and Starting Over

The lives of Evan's three children had already been uprooted by financial struggles and homelessness. Now, they faced an even greater loss. While still mourning her daughter, she had to step in as their primary caregiver, providing them with stability when they needed it most.

The donations from the GoFundMe campaign helped her secure a small home, but rebuilding their lives was not easy. She shared glimpses of their daily struggles, explaining how she was doing her best to create a sense of normalcy.

"I finally found some dining room chairs at a thrift shop, got them put under our patched table, and two have already broken! I think my boys need to learn to be a bit more gentle with chairs!" she wrote. Regardless, she was happy with what they had, saying, "I'm so grateful simply to have them and be able to sit at a table to have takeout pizza!"

Her health, however, was declining. She suffered from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, which made even simple tasks painful. "My osteo and rheumatoid arthritis has escalated to such a point, it's really hard to walk to the handicap cart in the market," she admitted.

But despite her physical struggles, she remained focused on her grandchildren. "I can only pray that I can do what is needed for the children while I have time on this earth," she wrote. Though their circumstances had improved from their days in the motel, life was still far from easy.

A Return to Acting and a New Perspective

Despite the hardships she endured, Lana Wood never gave up on rebuilding her life. In the years following Evan's passing, she slowly found her way back to the industry that had once defined her. In 2022, she returned to acting with a role in the independent film "Dog Boy"

Wood played Vera Summers, a former Hollywood star on the verge of financial ruin. The character's struggles felt deeply personal to her. "It touched so many parts of me," she stated. "There were some moments when it could have been me." Being back on set after years away was both intimidating and comforting.

She described how the experience stirred old emotions. "It was frightening and a little overwhelming to walk on set for the first time. But it felt like coming home," she shared. Wood credited her co-star Eric Roberts for making the experience even more enjoyable.

Though she was grateful to be acting again, she admitted that she never expected her career to last forever. Early on, she assumed she would always have work, but over time, she realized how unpredictable Hollywood could be.

"I remember when [my character in 'Dog Boy'] said she was going to lose her home. She was asked, 'What did you do with all your money when you were working all the time?' And she said, 'I just spent it. I thought the money would always come.' And it didn't. That really resonated with me," she said.

While acting remained a part of her life, her focus had shifted. Raising her grandchildren was now her greatest responsibility, and Wood had found contentment in the small, everyday moments with them.

"We've got a little house, we've got our dogs and cats. We've got each other. We argue over cooking and meals. One of the kids is being homeschooled, and I'm there with him trying to understand algebra. But I'm very content," Wood revealed in 2022.

Wood's story is a stark reminder of how unpredictable life can be, even for those who once found early success. She had walked red carpets, starred in major films, and lived a life many dreamed of — but none of it shielded her from hardship.

To her fans, she has never been forgotten. While some have seen her story as another example of Hollywood's fleeting nature, others still admire her for the talent and grace she had once brought to the screen.

One person wrote, "Probably the most beautiful woman in the world in the '60s and an excellent actress. Still a great lady!" Though she no longer lives the glamorous life of a star, she has remained a fighter — a woman who had endured loss and hardship but refused to give up.