John Derek
Encyclopedia
John Derek was an American actor, director and photographer.
'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 as the noble Joshua
in The Ten Commandments
(1956).
Derek also worked as a film director. He directed his wives, 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 film 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
".
, née Pati Behrs Eristoff (February 13, 1922 - July 10, 2004). Pati Behrs was a Russian-born American actress, a grandniece of Leo Tolstoy
. She was married to Derek from 1951 to 1957. They had two children, Russell and Sean.
Derek took photos of all three of his last wives (at different times) for Playboy
magazine.
in Santa Maria, California
at the age of 71. His remains were cremated.
Short Subjects:
Career
His matinee-idol good looks quickly got him supporting roles, most notably as Broderick CrawfordBroderick Crawford
Broderick Crawford was an Academy Award-winning American stage, film, radio and TV actor, often cast in tough-guy roles and best known for his starring role in the television series "Highway Patrol."-Early life:...
's son in All the King's Men
All the King's Men (1949 film)
All the King's Men is a 1949 drama film based on the Robert Penn Warren novel of the same name. It was directed by Robert Rossen and starred Broderick Crawford in the role of Willie Stark.-Plot:...
(1949), but he also enjoyed leads such as "Nick Romano" in Knock on Any Door
Knock on Any Door
Knock on Any Door is an American court-room trial film noir directed by Nicholas Ray and starring Humphrey Bogart. The picture introduced John Derek to film and was based on the novel of the same name by Willard Motley.-Plot:...
(1949) opposite Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey DeForest Bogart was an American actor. He is widely regarded as a cultural icon.The American Film Institute ranked Bogart as the greatest male star in the history of American cinema....
(who told him, "You look great, but kid, that's not enough"), "Brock Mitchell" in Fury at Showdown, and as Robin Hood
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
in Rogues of Sherwood Forest
Rogues of Sherwood Forest
Rogues of Sherwood Forest is a 1950 Technicolor Columbia Pictures film directed by Gordon Douglas and featuring John Derek as Robin the Earl of Huntingdon, the son of Robin Hood, Diana Lynn as Lady Marianne, and the late Alan Hale, Sr...
(1950) with Alan Hale.
Perhaps Derek's most memorable film appearance was as the noble Joshua
Joshua
Joshua , is a minor figure in the Torah, being one of the spies for Israel and in few passages as Moses's assistant. He turns to be the central character in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Joshua...
in The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments (1956 film)
The Ten Commandments is a 1956 American epic film that dramatized the biblical story of the Exodus, in which the Hebrew-born Moses, an adopted Egyptian prince, becomes the deliverer of the Hebrew slaves. The film, released by Paramount Pictures in VistaVision on October 5, 1956, was directed by...
(1956).
Derek also worked as a film director. He directed his wives, Ursula Andress
Ursula Andress
Ursula Andress is a Swiss actress and a sex symbol of the 1960s. She is known for her roles as Bond girl Honey Ryder in Dr...
, in two movies, and Linda Evans
Linda Evans
Linda Evans is an American actress. She is known primarily for her roles on television, and rose to fame playing Audra Barkley in the 1960s Western TV series, The Big Valley...
in one. His best known films as a director are those he directed with his fourth wife, Bo Derek
Bo Derek
Mary Cathleen Collins , better known as Bo Derek, is an American film and television actress, model, and sex symbol, known for her role as Jenny Hanley in the 1979 comedy film 10. However, Derek's film career soon faltered; her later films, including, Bolero and Ghosts Can't Do It , were poorly...
(she starred in four of his movies). The 1990
1990 in film
The year 1990 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* CGI technique is expanded with motion capture for CGI characters, used in Total Recall .* The first digitally-manipulated matte painting is used, in Die Hard 2....
film Ghosts Can't Do It
Ghosts Can't Do It
Ghosts Can't Do It is a 1989 film starring Bo Derek and Anthony Quinn and written and directed by John Derek.It was awarded Razzie Awards for worst picture , worst actress , worst director and worst supporting actor...
was his last film in the director's chair. He also directed a pornographic film, Love You (1980), as well as two hit music videos for Shania Twain
Shania Twain
Shania Twain, OC is a Canadian country pop singer-songwriter. Her album The Woman in Me , brought her fame and her 1997 album Come On Over, became the best-selling album of all time by a female musician in any genre, and the best-selling country album of all time. It has sold over 40 million...
, "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?
Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?
"Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?" is the title of a song by Canadian singer Shania Twain. It was released in January 1995 as the first single released from her album The Woman in Me. The song was written by Mutt Lange and Twain. The song became Twain's first hit at country radio, peaking at...
" and "Any Man of Mine
Any Man of Mine
"Any Man of Mine" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by Canadian country music artist Shania Twain. It was released in April 1995 as the second single from her 1995 album The Woman in Me. The song was written by Robert John "Mutt" Lange and Twain...
".
Personal life
He was first married to actress Pati BehrsPati Behrs
-Biography:-Philosophical and/or political views:Pati was an animal rights advocate.She presented Actors and Others with her cherished, 1926 Steinway baby grand piano. Her daughter, Sean Catherine Derek, requested that it be sold to help as many animals in need as...
, née Pati Behrs Eristoff (February 13, 1922 - July 10, 2004). Pati Behrs was a Russian-born American actress, a grandniece of Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy
Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy was a Russian writer who primarily wrote novels and short stories. Later in life, he also wrote plays and essays. His two most famous works, the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are acknowledged as two of the greatest novels of all time and a pinnacle of realist...
. She was married to Derek from 1951 to 1957. They had two children, Russell and Sean.
Derek took photos of all three of his last wives (at different times) for Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
magazine.
Spouses
- Pati BehrsPati Behrs-Biography:-Philosophical and/or political views:Pati was an animal rights advocate.She presented Actors and Others with her cherished, 1926 Steinway baby grand piano. Her daughter, Sean Catherine Derek, requested that it be sold to help as many animals in need as...
(1951–1957) - Ursula AndressUrsula AndressUrsula Andress is a Swiss actress and a sex symbol of the 1960s. She is known for her roles as Bond girl Honey Ryder in Dr...
(1957–1966) - Linda EvansLinda EvansLinda Evans is an American actress. She is known primarily for her roles on television, and rose to fame playing Audra Barkley in the 1960s Western TV series, The Big Valley...
(1968–1974) - Bo DerekBo DerekMary Cathleen Collins , better known as Bo Derek, is an American film and television actress, model, and sex symbol, known for her role as Jenny Hanley in the 1979 comedy film 10. However, Derek's film career soon faltered; her later films, including, Bolero and Ghosts Can't Do It , were poorly...
(1976–1998)
Death
He died from cardiovascular diseaseCardiovascular disease
Heart disease or cardiovascular disease are the class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels . While the term technically refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system , it is usually used to refer to those related to atherosclerosis...
in Santa Maria, California
Santa Maria, California
Santa Maria is a city in Santa Barbara County, on the Central Coast of California. The 2010 census population was 100,062, putting it ahead of Santa Barbara for the first time and making it the largest city in the county...
at the age of 71. His remains were cremated.
As actor
Features:- Since You Went AwaySince You Went AwaySince You Went Away is a 1944 film distributed by United Artists, a big-budget epic about the American home front during World War II. It was directed by John Cromwell and adapted and produced by David O. Selznick from the novel Since You Went Away: Letters to a Soldier from His Wife by Margaret...
(19441944 in filmThe year 1944 in film involved some significant events, including the wholesome, award-winning Going My Way plus popular murder mysteries such as Double Indemnity, Gaslight and Laura.-Events:*July 20 - Since You Went Away is released....
) - I'll Be Seeing You (1944)
- A Double LifeA Double LifeA Double Life is a 1947 film noir which tells the story of an actor whose mind becomes affected by the character he portrays. The movie starred Ronald Colman and Signe Hasso...
(19471947 in filmThe year 1947 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 22 - Great Expectations is premiered in New York.*November 24 : The United States House of Representatives of the 80th Congress voted 346 to 17 to approve citations for contempt of Congress against the "Hollywood Ten".*November 25...
) - Knock on Any DoorKnock on Any DoorKnock on Any Door is an American court-room trial film noir directed by Nicholas Ray and starring Humphrey Bogart. The picture introduced John Derek to film and was based on the novel of the same name by Willard Motley.-Plot:...
(19491949 in filmThe year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello...
) - All the King's MenAll the King's Men (1949 film)All the King's Men is a 1949 drama film based on the Robert Penn Warren novel of the same name. It was directed by Robert Rossen and starred Broderick Crawford in the role of Willie Stark.-Plot:...
(1949) - Rogues of Sherwood ForestRogues of Sherwood ForestRogues of Sherwood Forest is a 1950 Technicolor Columbia Pictures film directed by Gordon Douglas and featuring John Derek as Robin the Earl of Huntingdon, the son of Robin Hood, Diana Lynn as Lady Marianne, and the late Alan Hale, Sr...
(19501950 in filmThe year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:*Ambush...
) - Mask of the Avenger (19511951 in filmThe year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
) - Saturday's Hero (1951)
- The Family Secret (1951)
- Scandal Sheet (19521952 in filmThe year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City....
) - Thunderbirds (1952)
- Prince of Pirates (19531953 in filmThe year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A...
) - Ambush at Tomahawk Gap (1953)
- The Last Posse (1953)
- Mission Over Korea (1953)
- Sea of Lost Ships (19541954 in filmThe year 1954 in film involved some significant events and memorable ones.-Events:*May 12 - The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda...
) - The OutcastThe Outcast (1954 film)The Outcast is a 1954 western film directed by William Witney and starring John Derek and Joan Evans. The film was shot in Trucolor and is also known as The Fortune Hunter.-Plot synopsis:...
(1954) - The Adventures of Hajji BabaThe Adventures of Hajji BabaThe Adventures of Hajji Baba is an American film, released on October 1, 1954 in the United States. The film was made in Southern California, and starred John Derek and Elaine Stewart.- Plot :...
(1954) - Prince of PlayersPrince of PlayersPrince of Players is a 1955 20th Century Fox biographical film about the 19th century American actor Edwin Booth. The film was directed and produced by Philip Dunne from a screenplay by Moss Hart, based on the book by Eleanor Ruggles. The music score was by Bernard Herrmann and the cinematography...
(19551955 in filmThe year 1955 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, debuts.* June 27 - The last ever Republic serial, King of the Carnival, is released....
) - An Annapolis StoryThe Blue and GoldThe Blue and Gold is a 1955 American drama film directed by Don Siegel and starring John Derek, Diana Lynn and Kevin McCarthy. Two brothers at the Annapolis US Naval Academy fall in love with the same girl, with the Korean War looming on the horizon....
(1955) - Run for Cover (1955)
- The Leather Saint (19561956 in filmThe year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by...
) - The Ten Commandments (1956)
- Pirate of the Half Moon (19571957 in filmThe year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:...
) - Fury at Showdown (1957)
- The Flesh Is WeakThe Flesh Is WeakThe Flesh Is Weak is a 1957 British film directed by Don Chaffey. It stars John Derek and Milly Vitale.-Cast:* John Derek as Tony Giani* Milly Vitale as Marissa Cooper* William Franklyn as Lloyd Buxton* Martin Benson as Angelo Giani...
(1957) - Omar KhayyamOmar Khayyam (film)Omar Khayyam is an American movie directed by William Dieterle, filmed in 1956 and released in 1957...
(1957) - High Hell (19581958 in filmThe year 1958 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 16- "In the Money" by William Beaudine is released on this date. It would be the last installment of The Bowery Boys series which began back in 1946....
) - Prisoner of the Volga (19591959 in filmThe year 1959 in film involved some significant events, with Ben-Hur winning a record 11 Academy Awards.-Events:* The Three Stooges make their 190th and last short film, Sappy Bull Fighters....
) - Exodus (19601960 in filmThe year 1960 in film involved some significant events, with Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho the top-grossing release in the U.S.-Events:* April 20 - for the first time since coming home from military service in Germany, Elvis Presley returns to Hollywood, California to film G.I...
) - Nightmare in the SunNightmare in the SunNightmare in the Sun is a film drama directed by John Derek and Marc Lawrence, and written by George Fass and Fanya Foss, about a murderous affair....
(19651965 in filmThe year 1965 in film involved some significant events, with The Sound of Music topping the U.S. box office.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
) - Once Before I DieOnce Before I DieOnce Before I Die is a 1966 war drama starring Ursula Andress and her husband John Derek who also directed. The film was based on a 1945 novel Quit for the Next by Lieutenant Anthony March....
(19661966 in filmThe year 1966 in film involved some significant events.-Events:Animation legend Walter Disney, well known for his creation of Mickey Mouse, died in 15 December 1966 of acute circulatory collapse following a diagnosis of, and surgery for, lung cancer...
)
Short Subjects:
- The Nest (19431943 in filmThe year 1943 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 3 - 1st missing persons telecast * February 20 - American film studio executives agree to allow the Office of War Information to censor films....
) - Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Awards (19511951 in filmThe year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
) - Screen Snapshots: Meet Mr. Rhythm, Frankie Laine (19521952 in filmThe year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City....
) - Screen Snapshots: Hollywood's Mr. Movies (1952)
- Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Stars to Remember (19541954 in filmThe year 1954 in film involved some significant events and memorable ones.-Events:*May 12 - The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda...
)
As director
- Nightmare in the SunNightmare in the SunNightmare in the Sun is a film drama directed by John Derek and Marc Lawrence, and written by George Fass and Fanya Foss, about a murderous affair....
(19651965 in filmThe year 1965 in film involved some significant events, with The Sound of Music topping the U.S. box office.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
) - Once Before I DieOnce Before I DieOnce Before I Die is a 1966 war drama starring Ursula Andress and her husband John Derek who also directed. The film was based on a 1945 novel Quit for the Next by Lieutenant Anthony March....
(19661966 in filmThe year 1966 in film involved some significant events.-Events:Animation legend Walter Disney, well known for his creation of Mickey Mouse, died in 15 December 1966 of acute circulatory collapse following a diagnosis of, and surgery for, lung cancer...
) - A Boy... a Girl (19691969 in filmThe year 1969 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Last year for prize giving at the Venice Film Festival until it is revived in 1980...
) - Childish Things (1969)
- Love You (19801980 in film- Events :* May 21 - Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is released and is the biggest grosser of the year ....
) - Fantasies (19811981 in film-Events:*January 19 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquires beleaguered concurrent United Artists. UA was humiliated by the astronomical losses on the $40,000,000 movie Heaven's Gate, a major factor in the decision of owner Transamerica to sell it....
) (filmed in 19731973 in filmThe year 1973 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces his second wife, Barbara Blakely. Blakely would later marry actor/singer Frank Sinatra....
) - Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981)
- BoleroBolero (1984 film)Bolero is a 1984 film starring Bo Derek, and written and directed by her husband John Derek. The film centers on the protagonist's sexual awakening and her journey around the world to pursue an ideal first lover who will take her virginity....
(19841984 in film-Events:* The Walt Disney Company founds Touchstone Pictures to release movies with subject matter deemed inappropriate for the Disney name.* Tri-Star Pictures, a joint venture of Columbia Pictures, HBO, and CBS, releases its first film....
) - Ghosts Can't Do ItGhosts Can't Do ItGhosts Can't Do It is a 1989 film starring Bo Derek and Anthony Quinn and written and directed by John Derek.It was awarded Razzie Awards for worst picture , worst actress , worst director and worst supporting actor...
(19901990 in filmThe year 1990 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* CGI technique is expanded with motion capture for CGI characters, used in Total Recall .* The first digitally-manipulated matte painting is used, in Die Hard 2....
)