John Derek Biography

Fast Facts

• After he died unexpectedly from cardiovascular disease, his widow Bo Derek sent a family friend to tell his quadriplegic son the news before he heard it through outside sources, and the messenger arrived 15 minutes before it was too late
• Was drafted in 1944, just as his movie career was beginning, and served in the Philippines during the tail end of World War II
• After notable acting roles in "All the King's Men," "Rogues of Sherwood Forest" and "The Ten Commandments," he found himself relegated to playing heroes and villains in crime melodramas, westerns, pirate movies and costume dramas
• Turned to directing, and often featured his wives in his movies, giving screen time to Ursula Andress, Linda Evans and, most notably, Bo Derek․"
• Photographed three of his four wives for "Playboy" magazine
• Raised horses on his ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley in California