John Derek

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John Derek

with Debra Paget from the trailer for The Ten Commandments (1956)
Born Derek Delevan Harris
August 12, 1926(1926-08-12)
Hollywood, California, USA
Died May 22, 1998 (aged 71)
Santa Monica, California, USA
Occupation actor, director, cinematographer, screenwriter, editor, producer
Years active 1943 - 1990
Spouse(s) Pati Behrs (1951-1957)
Ursula Andress (1957-1966)
Linda Evans (1968-1974)
Bo Derek (1976-1998)

John Derek (August 12, 1926 – May 22, 1998) was an American actor, director and photographer most famous for the women to whom he was married.

Born Derek Delevan Harris in Hollywood, California, he was first married to actress Pati Behrs (1922-2004), grandniece of Leo Tolstoy and mother of his two children, Russell and Sean.

His matinee-idol good looks quickly got him supporting roles, most notably as Broderick Crawford's son in All the King's Men (1949), but he also enjoyed leads such as "Nick Romano" in Knock on Any Door (1949) opposite Humphrey Bogart (who told him, "You look great, but kid, that's not enough"), "Brock Mitchell" in Fury at Showdown, and as Robin Hood in Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950) with Alan Hale.

Perhaps Derek's most memorable film appearance was in a supporting role in the 1956 epic film, as the noble Joshua in The Ten Commandments.

Derek also worked as a film director. He directed his wife Ursula Andress in two movies and Linda Evans in one. His best known films as a director are those he directed with his fourth wife, Bo Derek (she starred in four of his movies). The 1990 film Ghosts Can't Do It was his last attempt in the director's chair. He also directed a pornographic film, Love You (1980), as well as two hit music videos for Shania Twain, "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?" and "Any Man of Mine".

His last three wives seemed to be nearly identical in appearance, especially Linda Evans and Bo Derek[citation needed]. Derek took photos of all three, at different times, for Playboy magazine. He died from cardiovascular disease in Santa Maria, California at the age of 71. His remains were cremated.[1]

Contents

[edit] Spouses

[edit] Filmography

[edit] As actor

Features:

Short Subjects:

  • The Nest (1943)
  • Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Awards (1951)
  • Screen Snapshots: Meet Mr. Rhythm, Frankie Laine (1952)
  • Screen Snapshots: Hollywood's Mr. Movies (1952)
  • Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Stars to Remember (1954)

[edit] As director

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Beau Derek". People Magazine. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20125481,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-11-17. 

[edit] External links

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