Bio of Movie Legend Bo Derek

27 August 2009

Bo Derek is perhaps the only actress in the history of Hollywood to be given a number as a nickname. During her heyday, people simply referred to Bo Derek as “10,” complimenting her physical prowess as one of the most gorgeous starlets of the day; and not to mention the fact that she starred in a movie of the same name.

The 52-year-old actress is still appearing in the occasional role today, but her past films have almost all become instant classics, though for reasons other than acting. Movie buffs have an affinity for the Hollywood beauties of old, and Bo Derek is about as beautiful as they come.

Like a lot of actresses of the time, the name “Bo” was chosen for stage purposes; “Derek” was the last name of her former husband. She was born Mary Cathleen Collins in Long Beach, California on November 20, 1956.

Bo had an early introduction into the entertainment world. When she was a child, Bo's mother, Norma Collins, was a hairdresser for Ann-Margret. As a teenager, Derek began modeling for extra money. She took a liking to the photo shoot sessions and found she had a knack for performing.

The agent she met was her future husband John Derek. John was 30 years older than Bo, and in order to avoid criminal prosecution in the United States, the two moved to Germany where they could be together legally. Bo was only 16 at the time. However, as soon as Bo turned 18, the couple moved back to the states and made their American marriage official in 1976.

While in Germany, Bo began acting. She appeared in a movie called Fantasies in 1973, and after turning down a role in Taxi Driver that ultimately went to Jodi Foster, Bo starred in Orca: the Killer Whale.

1979 is when Bo earned her status as an American sex symbol. Starring with Dudley Moore in Blake Edwards' film 10, Derek instantly became famous. Producers wanted to cast her, men wanted to be with her, and women wanted to wear their hair like Bo's character in the movie: corn-rowed and plaited. She was nominated for best new star of the year, but the Golden Globe went to Bette Midler.

Her next acting venture was to be the 1981 film, Tarzan the Ape Man. However, this was not a well-received role at all. Due to Bo's physical appearance, she completely stole the spotlight away from the leading actor. This was a bad thing for her career; it meant that producers had to be careful about casting her alongside another star.

Unless the movie was a vessel for her to shine, the other characters might not come through. Due to this, Hollywood was a little hands-off for a while. Bo's next feature was a borderline adult film titled Bolero, before starring in John Derek's feature, Ghosts Can't Do It.

Bo received the worst actress awards for her last three movie features and was ultimately named the Worst Actress of the Century by the Golden Raspberry Awards. Regardless of her acting, however, Bo has remained one of the all-time sex symbols in Hollywood history.

Tags: hollywood, mary cathleen collins, long beach, norma collins, jodi foster, fantasies movie, orca: the killer whale, blake edwards, dudley moore, bette midler, tarzan the ape man, john derek, ghosts can't do it, bolero,
Posted In: Biographies, Actors and actresses,

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