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Hollywood starRobert Wagnerhas had a remarkable seven-decade journey in the industry.
The actor, who celebrates his 96th birthday on Feb. 10, 2026, has been acting since the '50s, and he has starred in shows and franchises such as the mystery seriesHart to Hartas well as theAustin Powersfilms. Through his television career, he has earned fiveGolden Globenominations and oneEmmynomination.
Away from the screen, Wagner is most known for his marriage toNatalie Wood, whotragically drownedat age 43 while out on a boat in the Pacific Ocean with costarChristopher Walkenand their longtime skipper, Dennis Davern. After his wife's death, the actor became the legal guardian of Wood's daughterNatasha Gregson, whom he raised alongside his two daughters Katie and Courtney.
Wagner later married Jill St. John in 1990 and the two have been together since.
As he turns 96, look back at Wagner's life and career in photos.
Robert Wagner as a Child
Robert John Wagner Jr. was born on Feb. 10, 1930, in Detroit to former telephone operator Thelma Alvera and traveling salesman Robert Wagner Sr.
Robert Wagner and His Sister
Inan excerpt from his memoir,Pieces of My Heart, Wagner recalled his close relationship with his sister, who was four years older: "Mary Lou was the valedictorian of her class, but she wanted a quiet, domestic life, and she got it. She's a wonderful woman, with a totally different life than mine. She's had five children and numerous grandchildren. She's lived in the same house in Claremont for decades and doesn't venture out that much."
Mary died on March 4, 2023, at age 96.
Robert Wagner's Early Career
The star's family moved to California when he was young, and he broke into acting in his late teens with an uncredited role in 1950'sThe Happy Years.By 1955, when this photo was taken, he embraced his teen heartthrob status. "I was a bobby-sox idol at that time," he told PEOPLE in 2008. "I had it made. I've always carried a little anxiety about my next step, but I was pretty secure then."
Robert Wagner's First Marriage to Natalie Wood
In his memoirs, the actor says he dated many of Hollywood's most famous women (includingElizabeth TaylorandJoan Collins). He tied the knot with a teenage Natalie Wood in Scottsdale in 1956. "We were kids," he recalled to PEOPLE. "She was the first big love of my life."
The newlyweds looked like Hollywood royalty at theAcademy Awardsin 1957, just months after they had wed.
Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood's Divorce
The couple (pictured in 1959) called it quits in 1961 and were officially divorced in 1962.
Robert Wagner in 'The Pink Panther'
The actor (on set in Rome with costars Claudia Cardinale, David Niven and Peter Sellers) had a starring role in the popular 1963 action comedy.
Robert Wagner's Second Wife
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After his divorce, Wagner and actress Marion Marshall dated for several years before marrying in 1963. They had one daughter, Katie, and were together for about a decade before divorcing in 1971.
Robert Wagner in 'It Takes a Thief'
"My hair — that was the look in the early '70s," the actor recalled to PEOPLE of the shellacked look he sported in this late-'60s television series. "I lovedBette [Davis]dearly."
Robert Wagner's Remarriage to Natalie Wood
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After his engagement to Tina Sinatra ended, Wagner and Wood reconnected and were married again in 1972 on a boat off the coast of Malibu. They had a daughter together, Courtney, and he raised Natasha, Wood's daughter from a previous relationship, after her death by drowning in 1981.
Wood's death was ruled an accident, but decades later, the investigation was reopened andWagner was named a "person of interest."Natasha told PEOPLE the allegations were "outrageous"and painful for her family: "I know that if my mom had been in any kind of distress he would have given his life for her. I know that as well as I know my name."
Robert Wagner Marries Jill St. John
In 1982, the actor began dating an old friend and fellow actor,Jill St. John(pictured here with him in a 1967 publicity still forHow I Spent My Summer Vacation).They dated for eight years before tying the knot in 1990.
Robert Wagner in 'Hart to Hart'
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The star had a massive TV hit inHart to Hartwith Stefanie Powers, in which they played a glamorous married couple who often found themselves solving crimes. The writers "always wanted us to fight, but we resisted it," he recalled to PEOPLE.
Robert Wagner and His Family
In 1983, he, Jill and his daughters Katie, Courtney and Natasha — whom he became the legal guardian of after Woods' death — attended aHart to Hartcharity softball game.
Robert Wagner in 'Austin Powers'
The actor enjoyed a career resurgence in the late 1990s with his role as Number 2 in theAustin Powersfilms. "One of the biggest breaks I ever got," he recalled to PEOPLE of his casting in the film alongsideMike Myers. "I was on [Saturday Night Live] with Mike, and he wrote the part for me."
Robert Wagner on 'Two and a Half Men'
HisTwo and a Half Mencharacter (seen withCharlie Sheen) died in bed withJenny McCarthy's character, but "what a way to go!" he told PEOPLE.
Robert Wagner and His Family
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For his 90th birthday in 2020,the star's children arranged a family portrait. Pictured alongside Wagner and St. John are Natasha Gregson Wagner and her daughter, Clover; Katie Wagner and her son, Riley; and Courtney Wagner.
Robert Wagner and Jill St. John's Love Story
The couple (pictured in 2017) were each other's fourth and longest marriage, and have acted together in six films and a theatrical production ofLove Letters.
Robert Wagner as a Grandfather
Wagner and St. John live most of the year in Aspen, and enjoy working and spending time with their family. "Happy Father's Day to Me. I am blessed to be a dad and grandfather to these incredible people,"Wagner captioned this photo in 2020.
Robert Wagner Today
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Though he has mostly stepped away from acting, the actorhas written several memoirsand shares many memories and glimpses into his personal lifeon his Instagram.
For his93rd birthday, Wagner shared a message to his fans via Instagram, thanking them for making his day "extra special."
"I'm here in Aspen, at my home, and I have all my girls with me and my son-in-law and my granddaughter…" he said. "It's been a wonderful birthday for me and you all have made it extra special, and I appreciate it so much. You're thinking of me in such a special way."
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