Bo Derek is a multi-talented American model, actress, and film producer who rose to prominence during the ’80s. Bo was regarded as one of the most famous sex symbols in the ’80s; she has worked as a swimsuit and Playboy model. Interestingly, she is also notable for being the former spouse of John Derek who was a renowned American actor and film director. Her ex-husband was known for his works on Tarzan and Bolero which helped catapult Derek into the limelight. Learn more about the stunning actress below.
Bo Derek Biography
The star actress was born and named Mary Cathleen Collins on the 20th of November 1956. She was raised in Long Beach, California by her parents Paul Collins and his wife Norma Collins. Her father, Paul worked as a Hobie Cat executive while her mother was Ann-Margret’s make-up artist and hairdresser. When she was very young, her parents got divorced and her mother got hitched to an American stuntman Bobby Bass who became Derek’s stepfather.
Growing up, Bo enrolled at Narbonne High School where she spent a few years before transferring to George S. Patton High School for the completion of her high school education. Unfortunately, the young Bo and aspiring model didn’t finish her high school education rather she dropped out to pursue her acting career at the age of 16. She was inspired by the then-Hollywood star John Derek whom he later married two years later.
Her Acting Career and Rise to Prominence
Becoming an actress, Bo made her first film appearance in the 1977 movie titled Orca. There she played the role of Annie and after that, she starred in the 1979 movie titled 10 for which she was brought into the limelight. Bo was also nominated for a Golden Globe award for her excellent performance in 10. Along with , Bo featured in the comedy film titled A Change of Seasons in 1980.
The amazing actress got her breakthrough in 1981 when she portrayed the role of Jane Parker in the box office hit movie titled Tarzan the Ape Man. Bo won a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress in the movie. She equally received the same award for her next two films including Bolero in 1984 and Ghosts Can Do It in 1990.
During the nineties, Bo Derek made occasional appearances in movies such as Christina Ford, Wind on Water, Hot Chocolate, and Beverly Barish-Burns Callahan, among others. Subsequently, she featured in a handful of movies including 5 Weddings, Highland Park, Crusader, Queen of Swords, Family Law, 7th heaven, The Last Sharkando: It’s About Time and many others.
Net Worth: How Much is Bo Derek Worth?
The stunning actress has recorded tremendous success since the inception of her acting career. She has accumulated a lot of wealth both from her acting career as well as her modeling and film producing career. Her net worth is currently penned at $50 million. She earns her net worth from her acting and other business endeavors.
Who is Her Husband?
Bo Derek first fell in love with John Derek when she was sixteen years old. At the time, John was 30 years older than Bo and he was married to an actress named Linda Evans. However, it didn’t take long for John to divorce his wife so he could be with Bo. Notwithstanding the fact that Bo was underaged, the duo moved to Germany where they got married immediately after her 18th birthday. They exchanged marital vows in a small wedding held in 1976.
Her husband John was a famous film director, an actor as well as a photographer. He helped Bo find her feet in the movie industry during the early days of her career. John directed several movies including Nightmare in the Sun, Once Before I Die, Tarzan, the Ape Man and many more. As an actor, John equally appeared in so many films such as Run for Cover, Prisoner of the Volga, and Rogues of the Sherwood Forest, among others. He also worked as a photographer for Bo as well as his two other wives in the Playboy Magazine.
Bo and John Derek’s marriage blossomed for over 22 years until his death in 1998. Although they didn’t have any kids, they were certainly partners for life. John Derek reportedly died from heart attack in May 1998 and was 71 years at the time of his demise.
However, two years after his death, Bo started another relationship with an actor named John Corbett and the pair has been living together in California to date. Their relationship has lasted for over sixteen years. Although they are yet to tie the knot, the couple has continued to live happily ever after.
Family Facts
Bo Derek got hitched to John Derek at the age of 18
The pair lived together for so many years until his death in 1998
Bo’s marriage to John Derek was her first while it was the fourth for Derek.
At the time of their marriage, Bo was thirty years younger than her former husband.
They didn’t have any kids in their marriage
She has been together with John Corbett since 2002.
