Christopher Walken hires lawyer over Natalie Wood investigation

By: Jessica Derschowitz
Topics: News ,; Celebrity

Christopher Walken attends the WhyHunger Chapin Awards on June 6, 2011, in New York.

(Credit: Getty)

(CBS) Chrisopher Walken has hired a lawyer following the reopening of the investigation into the 1981 death of actress Natalie Wood.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar winner is being represented by Mathew Rosengart, a former federal prosecutor who is now a litigation specialist with a Los Angeles law firm.

"48 Hours" presents "Vanity Fair: Hollywood Scandal", airing Saturday, Nov. 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Pictures: Natalie Wood
Pictures: Robert Wagner
Pictures: Christopher Walken

Wood drowned after spending several hours drinking with her husband, actor Robert Wagner, and Walken, her co-star in the film "Brainstorm," on the couple's yacht anchored off California's Santa Catalina Island.

Sources told THR that Los Angeles Sheriff's Department investigators do not consider Walken to be a suspect.

The website also reports that that Rosengart was hired to advise Walken in the inquiry, and that the actor is expected to cooperate fully.

The investigation into Woods' death was officially reopened on Friday, after investigators received new information they deemed credible enough to warrant another look at the case.

"48 Hours" Presents Vanity Fair: Hollywood Scandal, Saturday, Nov. 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

Los Angeles Sheriff's Lt. John Corina said at a press conference that the death is still considered an accidental drowning and Wagner is not considered a suspect.

The mysterious death of the actress has intrigued Hollywood for years. Saturday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, "48 Hours" presents "Vanity Fair: Hollywood Scandal," will air with new information on the Los Angeles Police Department's just-reopened investigation. The latest details reveal a stunning new story about the night that led to Wood's body floating in the Pacific Ocean.

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by nln1959 November 20, 2011 7:46 PM EST: It seems wierd to me that Mr. Walken would hire an attorney and Robert Wagner does not seem to have his feathers ruffled. I wish we could have Natalie's input on this mess; Reply to this comment


by bankersvox November 20, 2011 2:00 AM EST: What an idiot story. A boozy "sea captain" changes his story after 30 years. Are you kidding me.; Reply to this comment


by law90807013f November 19, 2011 1:18 PM EST: If you're religious, for this case, believe that God is the final Judge with Miss Wood as witness/plaintiff/victim sitting and waiting patiently at some place where time stands still.; Reply to this comment


by ErnestDervishian November 19, 2011 1:10 PM EST: This story is a distraction from the fact that the Masons and Illuminati murdered Marilyn and the Kennedys because of pillow talk about Space Ships and Aliens during the Cold War and Nuclear threats. Because they told her about them, the Masons and Illuminati had her disposed of. The Editors of these news should hunted down and eliminated and wiped away from history as though they never existed.; Reply to this comment

by ErnestDervishian November 19, 2011 1:05 PM EST

He is totally innocent. He had nothing to do with it. She over drank and her husband over drank and passed out. She slipped and fell while drunk. It is simple as that. According to Natelie, it was an accident.

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by law90807013f November 19, 2011 1:20 PM EST: Wow! Were you there to see everything?


by Ultrascribe November 19, 2011 10:30 AM EST: Everyone needs to learn that 9/11 was the American regime nuking its own largest city, and it created the China Syndrome which then poisoned thousands of responders and millions of NY residents. Google "China Syndrome Aftermath" ... http://www.anonymousphysicist.com/; Reply to this comment


by ABQ_AW November 19, 2011 9:19 AM EST: Uh. oh! They're lawyering-up. Here we go again.; Reply to this comment


by the-sharmari November 19, 2011 9:09 AM EST: Why bother investigating? California juries are incapable of convicting celebrities.; Reply to this comment


by msay3 November 19, 2011 9:01 AM EST: It makes me wonder why Mr. Walken would rush right out to hire himself a lawyer so early on.....What about Robert Wagner?; Reply to this comment


by creeper00 November 19, 2011 8:35 AM EST: Wood and Wagner were paying the captain to take care of their boat. It was his responsibility to see that the dinghy was secured. Why would Natalie, who by all accounts was terrified of the water, feel it was her job to go out and tie that little boat up? Something about this doesn't quite jell...and hasn't from the get-go.; Reply to this comment