Bo Derek, born Mary Cathleen Collins on November 20, 1956, in Long Beach, California, grew up in a middle-class family deeply entrenched in the entertainment industry.
Her father, Paul Collins, was a public relations executive, and her mother, Norma Bass, worked as a hairstylist and makeup artist. This early exposure to the entertainment world sparked Bo’s interest in the field from a young age.
Bo’s ascent to stardom began in her late teens when she met and formed a relationship with John Derek, a well-known actor and director who was 30 years her senior.
Their relationship led to marriage in 1976 after John divorced his then-wife, actress Linda Evans. John was instrumental in shaping Bo’s career, directing her in several films.
Her major breakthrough came with the 1979 film “10,” directed by Blake Edwards. In it, Bo played Jenny Hanley and famously appeared running along the beach in a revealing swimsuit, a scene that turned her into a global sex symbol and catapulted her to stardom.
Throughout the 1980s, Bo starred in a series of films, including “Tarzan, the Ape Man” (1981), “Bolero” (1984), and “Ghosts Can’t Do It” (1989), all directed by John Derek.
Despite achieving commercial success, these films were often critically panned, but Bo’s status as a cultural icon remained unshaken.
As her film career waned, Bo shifted her focus towards advocacy and charity work, particularly in animal rights. She also served on the California Horse Racing Board and has been involved in various charitable causes, especially those supporting veterans.
In 2002, Bo published her autobiography, “Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses,” which provides a window into her life experiences and career insights.
Bo was married to John Derek until his death in 1998, and their relationship, marked by their significant age difference and professional collaboration, was frequently a topic of public fascination.
Later, Bo found companionship with actor John Corbett, with whom she has been in a relationship since 2002, enjoying a more private life together.
Today, Bo Derek is celebrated not only for her memorable film roles but also for her contributions to animal rights and her ongoing charitable work, ensuring her legacy in popular culture extends far beyond her acting career.