# Bo Derek

**Bo Derek** (born Mary Cathleen Collins) is an American actress and model whose starring role as Jenny in [Blake Edwards](https://www.edgepedia.org/blake-edwards)'s romantic comedy *10* (1979) made her a household name<sup>[1](https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/bo-derek-interview/)</sup> and an international sex symbol.<sup>[2](https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/bo-derek/)</sup> By her own count she has made more than 40 films and television shows, earned a 1980 Golden Globe nomination for the role,<sup>[1](https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/bo-derek-interview/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup> and in later life became known for animal advocacy, serving seven years on a horse-racing board and as Special Envoy of the Secretary of State on Wildlife Trafficking Issues.<sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | Mary Cathleen Collins, 1956, Long Beach, California; raised in Torrance (Interview Magazine gives 1959)<sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup> |
| Breakthrough | Jenny in *10* (1979), a role Blake Edwards offered her while casting his "perfect woman"<sup>[5](https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/when-blake-edwards-cast-bo-derek-in-10-2f28ol/33678/)</sup> |
| Award | Golden Globe nomination, female new star of the year in a motion picture, 1980, for *10*<sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup> |
| First marriage | To the actor, cinematographer, writer, and director John Derek in 1974 (Interview Magazine says 1976), until his death on May 22, 1998<sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup> |
| Screen record | More than 40 films and shows; AFI credits run from *Orca* (1977) to the 2007 documentary *Your Mommy Kills Animals*<sup>[1](https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/bo-derek-interview/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[6](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/375431-Bo-Derek)</sup> |
| Public service | Seven years as a horse-racing commissioner; State Department envoy on wildlife trafficking; WildAid board; Kennedy Center trustee<sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup> |
| Second marriage | Married the actor John Corbett in 2020; semiretired, living in Santa Ynez and Ventura, California<sup>[7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000137/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup> |

## Early life and name

She was born Mary Cathleen Collins in 1956, in [Long Beach, California](https://www.edgepedia.org/long-beach-california), and raised in Torrance.<sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup> Her parents were Paul Collins, a boat salesman, and Norma Bass, a hair and makeup artist.<sup>[8](http://www.filmreference.com/film/46/Bo-Derek.html)</sup> Interview Magazine gives her birth year as 1959, which conflicts with the 1956 date in other reference works.<sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup>

**From model to actress.** Before her film career she worked as a model, including a Tic Tacs breath mints commercial and 1995 print advertisements for Bijan, Designer for Men.<sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup> She has said she made up the name Bo around the time [John Derek](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-derek) cast her in a film.<sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup> The New York Times observed in 1979 that she was rare among actresses in using her married name professionally.<sup>[9](https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/02/archives/at-the-movies-star-of-10-declares-her-independence.html)</sup>

## Marriage and partnership with John Derek

**How they met.** The accounts differ. In a November 2, 1979 interview she said they met five years earlier, when she was 17, and that John cast her in the film he was directing, *And Once Upon a Time*.<sup>[9](https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/02/archives/at-the-movies-star-of-10-declares-her-independence.html)</sup> Interview Magazine instead prints that he cast her, then 16, in his movie *Fantasies*, around which time she made up the name Bo.<sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup> Both accounts place the meeting in her teens and the start of her screen work in his productions; neither is confirmed over the other.<sup>[9](https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/02/archives/at-the-movies-star-of-10-declares-her-independence.html)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup>

She dropped out of high school to remain in Europe with him.<sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup> [Reference](https://www.edgepedia.org/reference) works record the marriage in 1974;<sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[8](http://www.filmreference.com/film/46/Bo-Derek.html)</sup> Interview Magazine says the two returned to California and married in 1976, when she was 18.<sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup> [CBS News](https://www.edgepedia.org/cbs-news) gives the marriage's length as 22 years, ending with John Derek's death, a span consistent with a 1976 wedding.<sup>[2](https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/bo-derek/)</sup> Encyclopedia.com records his death on May 22, 1998;<sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup> Film Reference gives May 18, 1998.<sup>[8](http://www.filmreference.com/film/46/Bo-Derek.html)</sup>

**Her own account.** Throughout their life together the press dubbed John Derek a "Svengali," but she insists she is the one responsible for the triumphs, and the missteps, in her life.<sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup> Recalling the period for PBS, she said, "I was married to my husband, John Derek, who was a filmmaker."<sup>[5](https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/when-blake-edwards-cast-bo-derek-in-10-2f28ol/33678/)</sup>

## "10" and stardom

Blake Edwards was looking to cast the "perfect woman" in his film *10* and offered the role to Bo Derek, whose performance shot her to stardom; she has said, "Blake changed my life forever."<sup>[5](https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/when-blake-edwards-cast-bo-derek-in-10-2f28ol/33678/)</sup> The AFI Catalog credits her as Jenny in the 1979 film, her second listed screen role after Annie in *Orca* (1977).<sup>[6](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/375431-Bo-Derek)</sup> Her romantic scene with [Dudley Moore](https://www.edgepedia.org/dudley-moore) gave Ravel's *Bolero* renewed attention.<sup>[2](https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/bo-derek/)</sup> It was John Derek who suggested she wear the now famous cornrows.<sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup>

The film made her an international sex symbol and a household name, and she received a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year;<sup>[1](https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/bo-derek-interview/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/bo-derek/)</sup> Encyclopedia.com records it as female new star of the year in a motion picture, 1980.<sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup> CBS News framed its later retrospective around the observation that more than 35 years had passed since she became an international sex symbol.<sup>[2](https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/bo-derek/)</sup>

## 1980s films and critical reception

The AFI Catalog credits her as Lindsey Rutledge in *A Change of Seasons* (1980), [Anastasia](https://www.edgepedia.org/anastasia) in *Fantasies* (1981), and Jane Parker in *[Tarzan, the Ape Man](https://www.edgepedia.org/tarzan-the-ape-man-1981-film)*.<sup>[6](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/375431-Bo-Derek)</sup> IMDb records that John Derek directed her in *Fantasies* and *Tarzan, the Ape Man* (both 1981), *[Bolero](https://www.edgepedia.org/bolero-1984-film)* (1984), and *Ghosts Can't Do It* (1989), and that all four received negative reviews.<sup>[7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000137/)</sup> After the Ravel piece renewed attention through her *10* scene, she starred in a 1984 film titled *Bolero*.<sup>[2](https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/bo-derek/)</sup>

**Reception and recognition.** This record of negative reviews coexists with her Golden Globe recognition for *10*: the industry nominated her as a new star in 1980, while the four John Derek films that followed drew hostile critical notices.<sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000137/)</sup>

## Later career, 1990s to present

The AFI Catalog credits her as Beverly in *Tommy Boy* (1995) and lists her appearance in the 2007 documentary *Your Mommy Kills Animals*.<sup>[6](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/375431-Bo-Derek)</sup> She had a recurring role in the sitcom *Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place*.<sup>[2](https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/bo-derek/)</sup> In 2020 she made the Hallmark film *JL Family Ranch 2* in Kentucky with [Jon Voight](https://www.edgepedia.org/jon-voight) and [James Caan](https://www.edgepedia.org/james-caan), and the last project she described to AARP was a two-month shoot in Rome.<sup>[1](https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/bo-derek-interview/)</sup> By her own count she has made more than 40 films and shows, and she is semiretired, making occasional film, television, and documentary appearances.<sup>[1](https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/bo-derek-interview/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000137/)</sup>

## By the numbers

- More than 40 films and television shows, by her own count.<sup>[1](https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/bo-derek-interview/)</sup>
- One Golden Globe nomination, female new star of the year, 1980, for *10*.<sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup>
- A 22-year first marriage, ending with John Derek's death.<sup>[2](https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/bo-derek/)</sup>
- Seven years as a racing commissioner on a horse-racing board.<sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup>
- AFI-documented screen credits spanning 1977 (*Orca*) to 2007 (*Your Mommy Kills Animals*).<sup>[6](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/375431-Bo-Derek)</sup>

## Animal advocacy and public life

Her advocacy centers on animals and horses. She spent seven years as a racing commissioner on a horse-racing board, served on the board of WildAid, and was Special Envoy of the Secretary of State on Wildlife Trafficking Issues, traveling the world with international coalitions.<sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup> She has served as a member of the board of trustees of the [John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-f-kennedy-center-for-the-performing-arts).<sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup>

**Veterans work.** She served as a national honorary chairperson for Veterans Affairs' Rehabilitation Special Events and is active in wildlife conservation organizations.<sup>[2](https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/bo-derek/)</sup> [TV Guide](https://www.edgepedia.org/tv-guide) records that she received the Veterans Affairs' highest honor and that the Special Forces Association named her an honorary Green Beret.<sup>[10](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/bo-derek/bio/3000169797/)</sup> Encyclopedia.com lists her politics as Republican and her avocations as horses and horseback riding and photography.<sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup>

## Life after John Derek and current profile

Widowed in 1998, she later partnered with and in 2020 married the actor [John Corbett](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-corbett).<sup>[7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000137/)</sup> AARP describes her as now happily married to Corbett and content in semiretirement.<sup>[1](https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/bo-derek-interview/)</sup> She and Corbett normally live in Santa Ynez, near Santa Barbara, and at the time of her [Interview](https://www.edgepedia.org/interview) conversation had just bought a house on the harbor in Ventura.<sup>[4](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)</sup>

**Business and writing.** Her ventures include cofounding Sven-gali Productions and designing and selling pet care products under the name Bless the Beasts, as well as swimwear.<sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup> In 2002 she published the memoir *Riding Lessons: Everything that Matters in Life I Learned from Horses*, written with Mark Seal.<sup>[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)</sup>

Her public profile has continued after 2023: she appears in the PBS documentary about her *10* director Blake Edwards, *A Love Story in 24 Frames*, which was scheduled for PBS on August 27 at 8 p.m. ET, and gave a retrospective interview to AARP at 67.<sup>[1](https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/bo-derek-interview/)</sup>

## References

1. [Bo Derek Is Still a '10' and Living Her Best Life at 67, AARP](https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/bo-derek-interview/)
2. [Bo Derek, CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/bo-derek/)
3. [Derek, Bo 1956–, Encyclopedia.com](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/derek-bo-1956)
4. [Bo Derek, Interview Magazine](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek)
5. [When Blake Edwards cast Bo Derek in "10", PBS American Masters](https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/when-blake-edwards-cast-bo-derek-in-10-2f28ol/33678/)
6. [Bo Derek, AFI Catalog](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/375431-Bo-Derek)
7. [Bo Derek, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000137/)
8. [Bo Derek Biography (1956-), Film Reference](http://www.filmreference.com/film/46/Bo-Derek.html)
9. [At the Movies; Star of '10' declares her independence, The New York Times (November 2, 1979)](https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/02/archives/at-the-movies-star-of-10-declares-her-independence.html)
10. [Bo Derek Biography, Celebrity Facts and Awards, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/bo-derek/bio/3000169797/)

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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 1970s to 1990s › Surnames D to Di*

*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 20, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*

*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*

License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license