People called Bo Derek the most beautiful woman in the world. Of course, you’re probably familiar with this star who was only 16 when she caught the eye of John Derek. Back in 1973, she worked with John Derek on Fantasies and then her life changed in the blink of an eye. What do you really know about this international star?
Bo Derek Gets Second Shot At Love
Everyone knew John Derek was the love of her life. After Bo Derek lost her husband, things seemed like they would never be the same. Bo Derek spent time with friends and family and then, out of nowhere, she found love with actor John Corbett. You may know him as Aidan from Sex and the City.
Bo Derek Gets Second Shot At Love
Her Big Hit
1979 was a big year for Bo Derek. That was the year she got a role in 10 alongside Dudley Moore and Julie Andrews. Apparently, Bo Derek beat out Heather Thomas and Melanie Griffith for the role! Her skin-colored bathing suit became iconic. However, not everything would be easy for the new star.
Her Big Hit
Overnight Sensation
Out of nowhere, Bo Derek became an overnight sensation. Everyone saw her as a sex symbol due to her roles. She found it all “a bit overwhelming,” but helped her launch a prolific film career. She got roles in Tarzan, the Ape Man, Tommy Boy, The Master of Disguise and many other movies. Yet, despite all her roles, many critics tore apart her performances.
Overnight Sensation
Staying Humble
Despite being hailed as one of the most beautiful women, Bo Derek is very humble about it all. She said, “It’s about the way the bones line up…I was born with it.” I guess that’s one way to look at it! People can’t believe how well she’s aged. The star still has it even in her 60’s.
Staying Humble
Rebel Child
Back when she was a teen, she started skipping school for a month to go to the beach. She would frequently hitchhike, later calling her younger self ‘stupid’ for doing such a dangerous thing. Apparently, she did this to “escape the establishment,” but quickly got bored and went back to school. Then she focused on acting. It was around then that her agent called her for a movie being shot in Greece. That movie? Fantasies, directed and written by John Derek. Her life would change forever.
Rebel Child
Meeting John
Mary Cathleen Collins was born November 20, 1956 in California. At only 16 years old Collins was introduced to cinematographer, director and actor John Derek. Just as Derek did with Urseula Andress and his wife Linda Evans, he would turn Collins into a world star.
Meeting John
Her Parents
Bo Derek’s father was an executive in a catamaran manufacturing company, while her mother worked as a hairdresser and make-up artist for actress Ann-Margret. Later on, her parents would divorce and her mother remarried to Bobby Bass, a stunt performer.
Her Parents
Starring Alongside Icons
Her career took off after getting acquainted with John Derek. In 1980, she got to star in the drama/comedy A Change of Seasons. Of course, you’ll remember both Shirley MacLaine and Anthony Hopkins also starred in the film. Despite the big stars, the movie only achieved moderate success in the box office.
Starring Alongside Icons
Box Office Success
A year later, Bo Derek starred in Tarzan, the Ape Man. This was her husband’s famous R-rated MGM picture and became her first big role in Hollywood. She played the lead of Jane Parker in those signature skimpy jungle outfits. In addition, she appeared nude in the movie. Even though the movie was a huge hit at the box-office, the same cannot be said with critics.
Box Office Success
Posing For Playboy
It was clear that Bo Derek became a sex symbol. Thus, many were not surprised that she modeled for Playboy. First, she posed for them in August of 1980 and then again the following September.
Posing For Playboy
Falling In Love
From the beginning John and Bo were attracted to each other. However, everyone knew that John Derek was already married to film star Linda Evans! Sure enough, he soon divorced Evans for his new star, Bo.
Falling In Love
Trouble With Her Family
Even though John Derek divorced Linda Evans, it wasn’t all smooth sailing with Bo. Her family wasn’t too excited over the romance. Remember, John Derek was 30 years older than his love interest. Thus, her family forbid her to see John Derek.
Trouble With Her Family
Living Abroad
Regardless, Bo Derek ignored her family’s wishes and continued dating John Derek. In fact, she even fled with him to live in Europe for a few years so John Derek wouldn’t be charged for statutory sexual conduct. Once Bo turned the legal age, they returned to the United States and tied the knot in 1976.
Living Abroad
Together Until The End
In spite of everything, the couple stayed married 22 years until John Derek passed away from heart failure in 1991. He was 71 at the time. Although Bo Derek regrets breaking up John and Lina’s marriage, her love with John seemed to be the real deal.
Together Until The End
Animal Lover
Everyone knows about Bo Derek’s modeling and acting career, but what does she enjoy in her free time? Turns out, she’s a huge advocate of animal rights. She’s even a representative for the Animal Welfare Institute’s movement to make horse slaughter illegal. Bo Derek really loves horses! You probably didn’t know she’s on the California Horse Racing Board too.
Animal Lover
Published Author
Bo Derek has sure done a lot with her time in the spotlight. Like many stars, she decided to add author to the long list of accomplishments. Back in 2002, her autobiography came out. The book is called Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses.
Published Author
Bless the Beasts
As you probably guessed by now, Bo Derek cares deeply for animals, especially horses. Unsurprisingly, she started a pet-care products company. It’s called Bless the Beasts. One of her celebrated products is “Dog Soothing Shampoo.”
Bless The Beasts
Growing Up In California
Since Bo Derek grew up in California, it makes sense she was big into surfing and sailing. In an interview she recalled, “My father actually lived next door to Hobie Alter [creator of the Hobie catamarans]. So growing up, we had prototypes and experimental things that we could play with; it was just fabulous. I actually bought my first surfboard in junior high. I saved my money.”
Growing Up In California
Not A Puppet
Although many had their fair share to say about Bo and John Derek, Bo wanted to set the record straight. She has thanked John Derek for showing her the world, but emphasized she wasn’t his puppet. Bo Derek explained to Interview Magazine, “I’m not such a puppet, as everyone probably thought. He admired strong women, always did, so even though I was younger, the relationship wasn’t so one-sided as everyone probably thought.”
Not A Puppet
Famous Running Scene
When you hear Bo Derek, it’s hard not to think of her running scene on the beach from 10. Funny enough, Bo Derek actually hates running. She shot that famous scene first in Mexico. Then they went back to Hawaii twice, so all in all she did the scene three times. Wow, that’s rough for someone that hates running!
Famous Running Scene
Living With Corbett
Bo Derek’s partner John Corbett spoke with Inquirer.net about his life with Bo Derek. Corbett said, “We live up past Santa Barbara in California. We have a nice little ranch. We ride horses. We don’t have children, but we have furry “children”—German shepherds and Irish wolfhounds. The weather’s always pretty nice where we live, so I ride motorcycles with Bo’s brother-in-law, Mike. We play guitars. It’s a fun life.” Sounds like it!
Living With Corbett
Politically Active
Bo Derek identifies as an independent with libertarian leanings. In 1988 and 1992, this actress supported George H. W. Bush. Then she even campaigned for George W. Bush in both 2000 and 2004! Not to mention, she was at both of those Republican conventions. However, she did tell The Hollywood Reporter she voted for Obama in 2008. In 2012, she endorsed Mitt Romney.
Politically Active
Not Such An Honor
Back in 2000, Bo Derek got nominated at the 20th Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Actress of the Century. Brooke Shields, Pia Zadora, Elizabeth Berkley and Madonna were her fellow nominees. The winner? Madonna. Surely, Madonna is laughing all the way to the bank.
Not Such An Honor
X Rating
Bolero (1984) was the movie about sexual awakening where Bo played the character who travels around the world to find the right person to sleep with for the first time. Due to the sexual nature and nudity in the film, it received an X rating. Many were confused and shocked because that rating is usually only for really violent horror movies or pornographic films.
X Rating
Another Raspberry
Speaking of Bolero, Bo Derek won her second Golden Raspberry for her role in the movie. To be fair, Bolero received a number of Golden Raspberry Awards. They also won Worst Director, Worst Picture, Worst New Star (Olivia d’Abo), Worst Screenplay and Worst Musical Score.
Another Raspberry