The 1970s are looked back on with nostalgia by individuals who grew up during that era, largely due to the influence of Bo Derek. Recognized for her iconic golden hair, captivating blue eyes, and distinctive braided hairstyles, she was widely regarded as one of the most striking actresses of her time. Following her brief spell of stardom, many have been keen to uncover more details about her life, including her current whereabouts, reasons for stepping back from acting, and her present circumstances. Let’s delve into what Bo Derek is currently occupied with.
Early Life of Bo Derek
Bo Derek, born Mary Cathleen Collins on November 20, 1956, in Long Beach, California, spent her formative years in a typical American family, with her mother employed as a makeup artist and her father as a sales executive. During her teenage years, Mary developed a deep passion for two interests: horses and acting. She competed fervently in horse-riding competitions to showcase her talent and also took acting classes to hone her skills.
Bo’s first significant film appearance was in the 1977 movie Orca, where she portrayed a character being attacked by a killer whale, reminiscent of the movie Jaws. However, it was her role in Blake Edwards’ 1979 film “10” that catapulted her to stardom, particularly due to her distinctive blonde braided hair. Following this, she opted not to pursue roles in action-packed or risky films, such as “Ghosts Can’t Do It” (1990), “Bolero” (1984), and “Tarzan, The Ape Man” (1981).
Relationship with John Derek
Bo met director John Derek, who would later become her husband, when she was just 16 years old, while he was still married to Linda Evans. They commenced dating a few years later and eventually married in Mexico and Europe to circumvent strict American regulations as Bo was still a minor.
At the ages of 48 and 19, John and Bo tied the knot. In an Interview Magazine interview, Bo expressed feelings of guilt regarding Linda Evans, acknowledging her role in causing Linda significant distress. She described Linda as always being considerate and gracious, and she felt remorseful in her presence. John and Bo went on to collaborate on various projects, with John encouraging Bo to showcase her body to bring attention to his low-budget films and bolster his reputation in Hollywood.
John Derek was the inspiration behind the braided hairstyle she sported in her most famous film, “10,” despite not directing or creating it. He suggested that Bo show Blake some of his photos so he could assess them based on their appearance. “It was the late 1970s, and I said, ‘How are you thinking of changing your look when everything is fluffy and I’m blonde?’ Bo Derek responded, ‘I’ve always thought that would be a great look for me; John is an amazing photographer.’ ‘ And we tried it out. ‘Why not show Blake these photos and see if he’d be interested?’” he suggested at that time. “It would look fantastic on you and be very fitting for the role.”
Regrettably, in 1998, John Derek passed away from cardiovascular disease at the age of seventy-one. Bo mentioned that, after his death, she never thought she would form a connection with anyone. The loss had left her devastated.
Bo Derek’s passion for horseback riding during her early years seemed to overshadow her later fame. Despite reaching the peak of her acting career, she made the decision to step away and focus on advocating for animal welfare. Bo worked tirelessly to safeguard and preserve animals.
In addition to her love for animals, Bo Derek was appointed as the National Rehabilitation Special Events Chair by the VA. She stated, “VA’s National Rehabilitation Special Events aim to promote the healing of body and spirit, helping veterans improve their independence and quality of life.” Bo expressed her deep honor and gratitude at being appointed once again as the honorary chair for such a noble cause on behalf of America’s veterans.
Bo is currently wed to John Corbett, best known for his role in “Sex and the City.” They have been a couple for more than two decades. They chose to privately exchange vows with only their closest friends and family, opting not to publicly announce their decision to marry.
