Bo Derek facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bo Derek
Derek in 2022
Born	Mary Cathleen Collins (1956-11-20) November 20, 1956 (age 68) Long Beach, California, U.S.
Occupation	Model, actress
Years active	1973–present
Notable work	10 (1979) Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981) Bolero (1984) Tommy Boy (1995)
Spouse(s)	John Derek ​ ​ (m. 1976; died 1998)​ John Corbett ​ (m. 2020)​
Relatives	Sean Catherine Derek (stepdaughter)

Bo Derek (born Mary Cathleen Collins; November 20, 1956) is an American model and actress. She started her career as a child model. Later, she became an actress.

Her big break came in the movie 10 (1979). This role made her very famous. She was even nominated for a Golden Globe Award for it. She also starred in films like Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981) and Tommy Boy (1995).

Bo Derek is also known for her work helping others. She supports disabled veterans and works to protect wildlife. She has also been involved with horse welfare.

Early life

Bo Derek was born Mary Cathleen Collins in Long Beach, California. Her father, Paul Collins, worked for a boat company. Her mother, Norma, was a make-up artist. Bo has two sisters and a brother.

She went to Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California.

Career

Acting

When Bo was 16, she tried out for a movie called Once Upon a Love. This movie was directed by John Derek, who she later married. The film was eventually released in 1981 as Fantasies.

In 1976, when she was 19, Mary Cathleen Collins married John Derek. She then started using the professional name Bo Derek.

In 1977, she had a small part in the horror movie Orca: The Killer Whale.

In 1979, Bo Derek was chosen for the role of Jenny Hanley in the movie 10. In this romantic comedy, her character was seen as a "perfect 10." Her cornrow hairstyle in the movie became very famous. 10 was a big success. Bo Derek was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role.

After 10, she appeared in A Change of Seasons (1980). In 1981, Bo Derek starred in Tarzan, the Ape Man. This was her first main role in a big Hollywood movie. The film focused a lot on her character, Jane Parker. Even though critics didn't like it, the movie made a lot of money.

After a break, Bo Derek returned to films with Ghosts Can't Do It (1989). This was the last movie she made with her husband, John Derek, as the director.

Later, she appeared in TV movies and other films like Tommy Boy (1995). She also had guest roles on TV shows such as The Drew Carey Show and 7th Heaven.

In 2006, Bo Derek starred in 40 episodes of the TV series Fashion House. She also appeared in the TV movie Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! in 2015.

Politics

Bo Derek describes herself as an independent. This means she doesn't always support one political party. She has supported some Republican presidents in the past, like George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush.

In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed her to the Board of Trustees for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This center is a famous place for performing arts in Washington, D.C.

She voted for Barack Obama in 2008. In 2012, she supported Mitt Romney for president. Bo Derek prefers not to talk about who she votes for anymore.

Personal life

Horse owner and activist

Bo Derek loves horses and has ridden them since she was a child. She owns Andalusian and Lusitano horses. She is a spokesperson for the Animal Welfare Institute. This group works to stop horse slaughter through new laws.

In 2002, she wrote a book about her life and horses called Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses. From 2008 to 2015, she was a commissioner for the California Horse Racing Board.

Wounded veterans advocate

Since 2000 or 2001, Bo Derek has been the Honorary Chairperson for Veterans Affairs' National Rehabilitation Special Events. She strongly supports the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. This event helps disabled veterans through sports.

In 2003, she received a high honor from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. She also visits military members on United Service Organizations (USO) tours. Her father, stepfather, and first husband were all military veterans.

Wildlife preservation

Bo Derek has worked with WildAid for over 15 years. This group helps protect sharks and tries to stop people from buying illegal wildlife products. In 2006, she was named a Special Envoy for Wildlife Tracking Issues. She also appeared on the Discovery Channel's Shark Week in 2020.

Relationships

Bo Derek with husband John Derek (right) and Chandran Rutnam

When Mary Cathleen Collins was 16, she started a relationship with John Derek. They moved to Germany. After she turned 18, they returned to the United States and got married in 1976. They were married until John Derek passed away in 1998.

Since 2002, Bo Derek has been in a relationship with actor John Corbett. They live on a ranch in Santa Barbara, California. They got married in December 2020.

Acting credits

Film

Television

Production credits

Film

Awards and nominations

Images for kids

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  Bo Derek in 1998

See also

In Spanish: Bo Derek para niños