Bo Derek is a treasured memory for children of the 1970s. She was one of the most stunning bombshells of her era, with her signature blonde hair, flaming blue eyes, and braided hairstyles that dispelled any negative connotations associated with them. Many people have been curious in her life since her brief period of stardom, like where she ended up, why she quit acting, and what her current circumstances are. Let’s see what Bo is getting up to these days.
The Early Years of Bo Derek
Mary Cathleen Collins was born in Long Beach, California, on November 20, 1956, before she became known as Bo Derek. Mary was raised by working-class parents in a typical American household. Her father worked as a sales executive, while her mother was a cosmetics artist. Mary had two areas of great interest when she was a teenager. She was first and foremost an avid horsewoman because she loved horses. She would compete in many events, proudly showcasing her talents. She also cherished acting. To improve those abilities, she decided to take acting classes.
Bo appeared in the movie Orca (1977). In this Jaws-esque film, a massive killer whale was shown biting off her leg. Her actual rise to prominence, meanwhile, was largely attributed to Blake Edwards’ 1979 picture “10.” It was at this point that her signature blond braided hair started to stand out. She didn’t go on a career of appearing in action-packed, daring movies after this one. Among them were the films “Tarzan, The Ape Man” from 1981, “Bolero” from 1984, and “Ghosts Can’t Do It” from 1990.
When Bo was just 16 years old, she met the director John Derek, who would become her husband. She was wed to Linda Evans at the time. They only started dating a few years later. But since Bo was still a minor, they had to travel to Mexico and Europe to get away from the harsh American laws.
The Iconic Blonde Beauty from ’10’ at 67: Here’s How Bo Derek Looks Today
Bo Derek was raised in a middle-class family after being born in Long Beach, California, on November 20, 1956, under the original name Mary Cathleen Collins. Her mother, Norma Bass, was a hairstylist and cosmetics artist, while her father, Paul Collins, was a public relations executive.
Bo’s early professional interests in the entertainment sector were influenced by her parents’ jobs.
When she met John Derek, an actor and director thirty years her senior, in her late teens, her road to stardom officially began. After John divorced actress Linda Evans in 1976, they started dating. Bo’s career was significantly shaped by John.
Bo made her big screen debut in Blake Edwards’ 1979 film “10,” in which she portrayed Jenny Hanley. She became an immediate sex icon and gained international recognition after the iconic video of her sprinting on the beach in a nude one-piece swimsuit went viral.
Career in Acting
Following the popularity of “10,” Bo Derek acted in a number of films directed by her husband, John Derek, in the 1980s, including “Tarzan, the Ape Man” (1981), “Bolero” (1984), and “Ghosts Can’t Do It” (1989). Even if a few of these movies were financially successful, critics frequently gave them negative reviews. Still, Bo remained a symbol of his era’s culture.
Life Apart from Performance
Bo Derek turned her attention to other pursuits after her film career faltered. She joined the California Horse Racing Board and started advocating for animal welfare. She has also actively participated in numerous humanitarian endeavors and supported causes related to veterans.
Bo shared details about her life and profession in her book, “Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses,” which was published in 2002.
John Derek and Bo were wed till his passing in 1998. Their relationship, which was characterized by a large age gap and professional cooperation, was often featured in the media.
Following John’s passing, Bo befriended actor John Corbett, who was well-known for his parts in the television series “Sex and the City” and “Northern Exposure.” The pair has been dating since 2002 and has kept their personal lives mostly to themselves.
Her legacy has been further solidified beyond her acting career by her philanthropic work and advocacy for animal welfare.
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