View source for Bo Derek

{{Short description|American actress (born 1956)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = Bo Derek
| image         = Bo Derek by Gage Skidmore 5.jpg
| caption       = Derek in 2022
| birth_name    = Mary Cathleen Collins
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1956|11|20}}
| birth_place   = [[Long Beach, California]], U.S.
| occupation    = {{hlist|Actress|Model}}
| years_active  = 1973–present
| spouse        = {{plainlist|
* {{Marriage|[[John Derek]]|1976|1998|end = d.}}
* {{Marriage|[[John Corbett]]|2020|}}
}}
| relatives     = [[Sean Catherine Derek]] (stepdaughter)
| notable_works = {{Unbulleted list|''[[10 (1979 film)|10]]'' (1979)|''[[Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981 film)|Tarzan, the Ape Man]]'' (1981)|''[[Bolero (1984 film)|Bolero]]'' (1984)|''[[Tommy Boy]]'' (1995)}}
}}

'''Bo Derek''' (born '''Mary Cathleen Collins'''; November 20, 1956)<ref name="Official">{{cite web |title=Bo Derek Bio |url=http://officialboderek.com/Bohome.html |website=Bo Derek Official Website |access-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070501032619/http://officialboderek.com/Bohome.html |archive-date=1 May 2007 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> is an American actress and model. She began her career as a child model before deciding to pursue acting on the advice of a talent agent she met through actress [[Ann-Margret]], who was acquainted with her parents.<ref name="biography"/> In 1972,<ref name="LA Times"/> she was cast in the romantic drama film ''Once Upon a Love'' (1973), which was directed by her first husband [[John Derek]] and eventually released as ''[[Fantasies (film)|Fantasies]]'' in 1981.<ref name="AFI Fantasies"/> Her [[Breakthrough role|breakthrough performance]] came in the romantic comedy film ''[[10 (1979 film)|10]]'' (1979), which cemented her status as a [[Sex symbol|sex icon]] and mainstream celebrity. The role earned her a [[Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress|Golden Globe Award nomination for New Star of the Year – Actress]].

Derek went on to star in three more films directed by John Derek: ''[[Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981 film)|Tarzan, the Ape Man]]'' (1981), ''[[Bolero (1984 film)|Bolero]]'' (1984), and ''[[Ghosts Can't Do It]]'' (1989), all of which were critically panned. Her other credits include the dramatic-comedy film ''[[A Change of Seasons (film)|A Change of Seasons]]'' (1980), the American buddy comedy film ''[[Tommy Boy]]'' (1995), and the American telenovela series ''[[Fashion House]]'' (2006).
 
Derek has been involved in a number of philanthropic endeavors. For several years, she served as Honorary Chairperson for [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|Veterans Affairs]]' National Rehabilitation Special Events,<ref name="VA 2009"/><ref name="VA 2005"/> which helps disabled veterans overcome their limitations through sports and competition. In 2002, she was appointed to the [[John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts|Kennedy Center Board of Trustees]] by [[George W. Bush|President George W. Bush]].<ref name="WhiteHouseArchives">{{cite web |title=Nominations and Appointments |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/01/20020111-17.html |website=Welcome to the White House |access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref> A longtime [[WildAid]] ambassador,<ref name="WildAid Ambassador">{{cite web |title=World Celebrities ‘Join the Herd’ to Fight for Africa’s Elephants |url=https://wildaid.org/world-celebrities-join-the-herd-to-fight-for-africas-elephants/ |website=WildAid |access-date=14 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="WildAid">{{Cite web |title=Bo Derek |url=https://wildaid.org/ambassadors/bo-derek/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=WildAid |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525000650/https://wildaid.org/ambassadors/bo-derek/ |archive-date=25 May 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Derek was named Special Envoy of the Secretary of State for Wildlife Tracking Issues by [[Robert Zoellick|Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick]] in 2006.<ref name="Special Envoy">{{cite web |title=Public Activist Bo Derek Named Special Envoy of the Secretary of State for Wildlife Trafficking Issues |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ei/pix/b/sat/78410.htm |website=State Department (state.gov) Website [2001-2009] |access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref> In 2008, she was appointed a commissioner of the [[California Horse Racing Board]] by [[Arnold Schwarzenegger|California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger]]<ref name="CHRB"/><ref name="LATimes 2008"/> in honor of her many contributions to the betterment of horses, including her position as a spokesperson for the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, which she had held since 2003.<ref name="CHRB">{{cite web |title=Bo Derek, David Israel Appointed to CHRB |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/153103/bo-derek-david-israel-appointed-to-chrb |website=Bloodhorse.com |access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="LATimes 2008">{{cite web |title=Opinion: Arnold's New Bo |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/opinion-la/story/2008-07-15/opinion-arnolds-new-bo |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="CHRB Reappointment"/> She was reappointed to the California Horse Racing Board in 2010<ref name="CHRB Reappointment">{{cite web |title=Winner, Derek Among Those Elected to CHRB Board |url=https://paulickreport.com/news/people/winner-derek-among-those-elected-to-chrb-board |website=Paulick Report |access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref> and 2014.<ref name="LATimes 2014">{{cite news |last1=York |first1=Anthony |title=Bo Derek Reappointed to State Horse Racing Board |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-bo-derek-reappointed-to-state-horse-racing-board-20140102-story.html |access-date=23 July 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |publisher=California Times |date=2 January 2014}}</ref> 

Widowed in 1998,<ref name="Variety"/> Derek began a relationship with actor [[John Corbett]] in 2002.<ref name="People 2021"/> They married in December 2020.<ref name="People 2021"/>

== Early life ==
Derek was born Mary Cathleen Collins in [[Long Beach, California]].<ref name="Official"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Phelan |first=Hayley |date=2016-02-23 |title=Bo Derek |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/bo-derek |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Interview Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tracy |first=Ben |date=2015-05-10 |title=Bo Derek: Aging is not for sissies - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bo-derek-aging-is-not-for-sissies/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006072643/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bo-derek-aging-is-not-for-sissies/ |archive-date=Oct 6, 2024 }}</ref> Her father, Paul Collins, was a [[Hobie Cat]] executive, and her mother Norma ({{née|White}}) was a [[make-up]] artist and hairdresser to [[Ann-Margret]]. Collins's parents divorced, and her mother married stunt performer [[Bobby Bass]]. She grew up with two sisters and a brother.<ref name="Official"/><ref name="biography"/>  

Collins attended [[Narbonne High School]]<ref name="auto"/> in [[Harbor City, California]]. She remarked in a 1985 interview on ''Late Night with David Letterman'':

{{Blockquote|text=Well, I didn't really mean to quit. Well, what happened—I'll tell you what happened ... I went for like a month without going to school; I went to the beach, and I got caught ... So, then I started going back to school, and I was really enjoying it ... and then I went to go do this film with John in Greece&nbsp;...<ref name="auto">{{YouTube | id=IaMX87NX_uE | title=Bo Derek Doesn't Care For Hollywood {{!}} Letterman}}</ref>}}

== Career ==
=== Acting ===
While attending Narbonne High School at age 16 in 1972,<ref name="LA Times"/><ref name="auto"/> Collins auditioned for the female lead in [[John Derek | John Derek's]] ''Once Upon a Love'', a low-budget romantic drama film set in Greece. Although Derek had been considering Collins for the part, he felt that her naturally blonde hair was ill-suited to the character, whom he perceived as a brunette.<ref name="biography">{{cite episode |title=Bo Derek |series=Biography |network=[[A&E (TV channel)|A&E Network]] | airdate=9 May 2003}}</ref> He nevertheless offered Collins the role
on condition that she dye her hair darker, which Collins accepted.<ref name="biography"/><ref name="CNN Transcript 03-10-00">{{cite news |title=CNN Transcript − LARRY KING LIVE: Bo Derek Talks About Hollywood and Life After John |url=http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0003/10/lkl.00.html |website=CNN.com |access-date=21 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120224153/https://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0003/10/lkl.00.html |archive-date=20 November 2021 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During [[post-production]] in [[Munich]], the film ran out of funding and was seized by a German film lab. It remained in a vault for several years until being sold to producer Kevin Casselman. Casselman's attempts to distribute the film globally prompted Derek and Collins to seek a restraining order against its release. They eventually dropped any legal action, deciding it was not worth their time and effort.<ref name="LA Times">{{cite news |title=Fantasies Uncovered |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-08-31-ca-14790-story.html |access-date=27 April 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=31 August 1986}}</ref><ref name="AFI Fantasies">{{cite web |title=AFI {{!}} Catalog − Fantasies |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/56775 |website=AFI Catalog |access-date=6 August 2023}}</ref> The film was finally released in 1981 under the new title ''[[Fantasies (film)|Fantasies]]'', at which point it received negative reviews.<ref name="AFI Fantasies"/><ref name="NYT Fantasies">{{cite web |title=Young Bo Derek in 'Fantasies' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/07/movies/young-bo-derek-in-fantasies.html?mcubz=2 |work=The New York Times |date=1981-11-07 |access-date=2017-06-13}}</ref> 

During the course of these events, Collins became sexually involved with John Derek, who was 30 years her senior and still married to actress [[Linda Evans]]. Upon his divorce from Evans, Derek moved to [[Germany]] with Collins, where he would not face prosecution under California's [[statutory rape]] laws because Collins was under the [[Ages of consent in the United States|age of consent]].<ref name="WashingtonPost 1980">{{cite news |title=Heating Up With John and Bo Derek |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1980/01/29/heating-up-with-john-and-bo-derek/30d0d0a6-f7d7-479e-9794-ff8f402d1c81/ |access-date=6 September 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=29 January 1980}}</ref>

In 1976, at age 19, Collins married John Derek.<ref name="USA Today 2020">{{cite web |last1=Yasharoff |first1=Hannah |date=August 16, 2020 |title=Bo Derek on Why She Hasn't Married Boyfriend John Corbett and That 30-Year Age Gap with John Derek |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/08/16/bo-derek-boyfriend-john-corbett-age-gap-husband-john-derek/5594528002/ |website=USA Today |publisher=Maribel Perez Wadsworth |access-date=17 July 2024}}</ref> From then on, she was known professionally as Bo Derek: an amalgam of her former stage name Bo Shane<ref name="WashingtonPost 1998">{{cite news |title=Director John Derek Dies |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1998/05/24/director-john-derek-dies/eba85d16-def7-43d9-ab00-4b780c2ad3b3/ |access-date=19 September 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=24 May 1998}}</ref> and married name Derek.<ref name="CNN Transcript 03-10-00"/>

In 1977, director [[Michael Anderson (director)|Michael Anderson]] cast Derek in a small role in his horror film ''[[Orca (1977 film)|Orca: The Killer Whale]]'', in which Derek's character has her leg bitten off by the title character.<ref>{{cite web |title=Orca − The Killer Whale |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/orca_the_killer_whale/ |publisher=Fandango |access-date=2017-06-13}}</ref>

In 1979, Derek was selected over [[Melanie Griffith]], [[Heather Thomas]], [[Tanya Roberts]], and several others for the role of Jenny Hanley in the romantic comedy film ''[[10 (1979 film)|10]]''.<ref name="AARP">{{cite web |last1=Catlin |first1=Roger |title=Bo Derek, 67, Is Living Her Best Life: ‘I’m Really Good at Retirement’ |url=https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/members-only-access/info-2024/bo-derek-interview.html |website=AARP |access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref> Directed by [[Blake Edwards]], the film starred [[Dudley Moore]] as a middle-aged man who finds Derek's character to be the ideal woman, i.e., a perfect 10. Derek's appearance in a dream sequence, running towards Moore in a tight-fitting, nude-colored one-piece swimsuit, launched her status as a mainstream sex symbol. Distinguished by Derek's [[Cornrows|cornrow]] hairstyle, the sequence has often been parodied. ''10'' was a critical and financial success.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 1979 Movies at the Domestic Box Office |url=http://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-records/domestic/all-movies/cumulative/released-in-1979 |publisher=Nash Information Services LLC |access-date=2017-06-13}}</ref> For her performance in the film, Derek received a [[Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress|Golden Globe Award nomination for New Star of the Year – Actress]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Bo Derek − Golden Globes |url=https://goldenglobes.com/person/bo-derek/ |website=The Golden Globes |publisher=[[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]] |access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref> but ended up losing to [[Bette Midler]] for her performance in ''[[The Rose (film)|The Rose]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bette Midler − Golden Globes |url=https://goldenglobes.com/person/bette-midler/ |website=The Golden Globes |publisher=[[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]] |access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref>

After ''10,'' Derek was cast in Richard Lang's ''[[A Change of Seasons (film)|A Change of Seasons]]'' (1980), a dramatic-comedy film that also featured [[Shirley MacLaine]] and [[Anthony Hopkins]]. Derek played a college student who has an affair with her older, married professor. ''A Change of Seasons'' was only a moderate box-office success, with critics reviewing it and Derek's performance unfavorably ("The only appealing performance is Miss MacLaine's").<ref name="NYT A Change of Seasons">{{cite web |title='Change of Seasons,' Bo Derek vs. Miss MacLaine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/12/19/archives/change-of-seasons-bo-derek-vs-miss-maclaine.html |date=1980-12-19 |access-date=2024-07-28}}</ref>

In 1981, Derek starred in [[MGM]]'s R-rated ''[[Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981 film)|Tarzan, the Ape Man]]'', her first leading role in a mainstream Hollywood film. Directed by John Derek, the film dealt little with [[Tarzan]] and instead focused on Derek's character, [[Jane Porter (Tarzan)|Jane Parker]], and specifically on Derek's physical attributes. Derek appears nude in two scenes,<ref name="Casetext">{{cite web |title=Burroughs v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. |url=https://casetext.com/case/burroughs-v-metro-goldwyn-mayer-inc-3/ |website=Casetext.com |access-date=24 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114042021/https://casetext.com/case/burroughs-v-metro-goldwyn-mayer-inc-3/ |archive-date=14 November 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> one of which involved her being bathed and body-painted. Ahead of ''Tarzan, the Ape Man'''s release, MGM and the film's distributor, [[United Artists]], were sued for an injunction by the [[Edgar Rice Burroughs]] estate, which alleged that the film exceeded the scope of a 1931 license agreement ("1931 Agreement") that permitted MGM to use Tarzan and other Burroughs characters in the 1932 film ''[[Tarzan the Ape Man (1932 film)|Tarzan the Ape Man]]''. The agreement stipulated that MGM could only produce [[Film remake|remakes]] if the story of the 1932 film was maintained. Additionally, the Burroughs estate contended that MGM's character license under the deal was terminated in 1977, thereby constituting a violation of their copyright.<ref name="Casetext"/> Upon reviewing the evidence, the [[United States District Court for the Southern District of New York|Federal District Court in New York]] determined that ''Tarzan, the Ape Man'' and its 1932 predecessor are "based on substantially the same story" when reduced to their major incidents, provided that modifications were made to tone down Derek's nude scenes.<ref name="Casetext"/><ref name="AFI Tarzan">{{cite web |title=AFI {{!}} Catalog − Tarzan, The Ape Man |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/56704 |website=AFI Catalog |access-date=6 August 2023}}</ref> It was further concluded that MGM's character license had not been revoked due to the nonfulfillment of the legal prerequisites required for contract termination.<ref name="Casetext"/> Accordingly, the court ruled against the Burroughs estate and dismissed their injunction request.<ref name="Casetext"/> Although ''Tarzan, the Ape Man'' received negative reviews, the film became a box-office success, making over $35 million in ticket sales and becoming the [[1981 in film|15th highest-grossing film of 1981]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1981&p=.htm |title=1981 Yearly Box Office Results – Box Office Mojo |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=July 19, 2016}}</ref> For her performance as Jane Parker, Derek shared the [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress]] with [[Faye Dunaway]], the latter for her starring role as [[Joan Crawford]] in ''[[Mommie Dearest (film)|Mommie Dearest]]''.

Derek next appeared in the erotic comedy-drama film ''[[Bolero (1984 film)|Bolero]]'' (1984). Directed again by John Derek, ''Bolero'' explores the female protagonist's sexual awakening and her journey around the world to find an ideal first lover to take her virginity. Its sexual nature and substantial use of nudity earned the film an [[X rating]], which is traditionally reserved for [[pornographic]] or extremely violent horror films. Critical reviews for ''Bolero'', including Derek's performance, were negative ("[Bo Derek] would be a lot more appealing if she tried less assiduously to please").<ref name="NYT Bolero">{{cite web |title=Film: Bo Derek in 'Bolero' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/01/movies/film-bo-derek-in-bolero.html?mcubz=2 |work=The New York Times |date=1984-09-01 |access-date=2017-06-13}}</ref> For her performance in the film, Derek won her second [[Golden Raspberry Awards|Golden Raspberry Award]] for Worst Actress. The film also won five additional Golden Raspberry Awards: Worst Picture, Worst Director (John Derek), Worst Screenplay (John Derek), Worst New Star ([[Olivia d'Abo]]), and Worst Musical Score ([[Peter Bernstein (composer)|Peter Bernstein]] and [[Elmer Bernstein]]).

In 1987, Derek teamed up with [[Steven Paul]] of the firm sales agency Paul Entertainment to sell the unreleased feature film ''A Knight of Love'', in which she was set to star, but the project never materialized.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1987-02-25 |title=Bo Derek to Flog Film With Paul Entertainment; Voight Now Shareholder |page=106 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>

After a five-year hiatus, Derek returned to feature films with the fantasy comedy-drama ''[[Ghosts Can't Do It]]'' (1989). The final collaboration of Derek with her husband as director, ''Ghosts Can't Do It'' was a failure both critically and financially.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your Movie Sucks |date=January 7, 2017 |url=http://www.ultimatemovierankings.com/your-movie-sucks/ |publisher=ultimatemovierankings.com |access-date=2017-06-13}}</ref> Earning Derek her third Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress, the film also won three additional Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Picture, Worst Director (John Derek), and Worst Supporting Actor ([[Donald Trump]]).
[[File:Bo Derek 1998.jpg|thumb|Derek in 1998]]
Following ''Ghosts Can't Do It'', Derek appeared in the television films ''Hot Chocolate'' (1992) and ''Shattered Image'' (1994) and the straight-to-video film ''[[Woman of Desire]]'' (1994). For her performance in the 1995 buddy comedy film ''[[Tommy Boy]]'', Derek was nominated for a [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress]] but ultimately lost to [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] for her performance in ''[[Four Rooms]]''.

In 1998, Derek guest-starred on four episodes of the television series ''Wind on Water''. In 1999, she appeared on ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]''.

At the [[20th Golden Raspberry Awards]] in 2000, Derek was nominated for Worst Actress of the Century, sharing the nomination with Madonna (the eventual winner), [[Brooke Shields]], [[Elizabeth Berkley]], and [[Pia Zadora]].

Derek appeared in several more feature films during the early 2000s, including ''[[Frozen with Fear]]'' (2000), ''[[The Master of Disguise]]'' (2002), for which she received her second Golden Raspberry Award nomination for Worst Supporting Actress, and ''[[Malibu's Most Wanted]]'' (2003). She also had guest roles on the television shows ''[[Family Law (American TV series)|Family Law]]'', ''[[Queen of Swords (TV series)|Queen of Swords]]'', ''[[Two Guys and a Girl|Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place]]'', ''[[Lucky (American TV series)|Lucky]]'', ''[[Still Standing (American TV series)|Still Standing]]'', and ''[[7th Heaven (TV series)|7th Heaven]]''.

In 2006, Derek starred in 40 episodes of the 65-episode [[telenovela]] series ''[[Fashion House]]''. In 2012, she appeared on ''[[CSI: Miami]]''.

Derek had a featured role in the 2015 made-for-TV campy horror film ''[[Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!]]''

==Politics==
Derek, who describes herself as an [[Independent politician|independent]],<ref name="independent"/> supported the presidential campaigns of [[Bob Dole]],<ref name="NYT June 95">{{cite news |last1=Weinraub |first1=Bernard |title=Films and Recordings Threaten Nation's Character, Dole Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/01/us/films-and-recordings-threaten-nation-s-character-dole-says.html |access-date=21 July 2024 |work=The New York Times |publisher=The New York Times Company |date=1 June 1995}}</ref><ref name="NYT Oct 1996">{{cite news |last1=Seelye |first1=Katharine |title=Dole Is Continuing Attacks on Press and the President |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/27/us/dole-is-continuing-attacks-on-press-and-the-president.html |access-date=21 July 2024 |work=The New York Times |publisher=The New York Times Company |date=27 October 1996}}</ref> [[George H.&nbsp;W. Bush]],<ref name="independent"/> and his son, [[George&nbsp;W. Bush]].<ref name="independent"/> She attended the [[Republican National Convention]] in 2000 and 2004.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bo Geste: Ms. Derek and Her Handler Do Their Best for George W. Bush |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB965337004604121211 |access-date=9 July 2023 |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |date=4 Aug 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Brooks & Dunn Are GOP Headliners |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5799732 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=9 July 2023}}</ref> Derek has also appeared at public events with [[David Dreier|Republican Congressman David Dreier]], whom she briefly dated following the death of her first husband.<ref>[http://larryflynt.com/notebook.php?id=88 "Congressman David Dreier: Gay & Ashamed"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051221182800/http://larryflynt.com/notebook.php?id=88 |date=December 21, 2005 }}, Larry Flynt.com</ref><ref name="SFGATE">{{cite web |last1=Diaz |first1=John |title=The Real Outrage Is in the 'Outing' |url=https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/the-real-outrage-is-in-the-outing-3242518.php |website=SFGATE |access-date=29 August 2024}}</ref>

In 2002, Derek was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the [[John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts]], on the Operations Committee, by President George W. Bush.<ref name="WhiteHouseArchives"/><ref>[http://www.kennedy-center.org/states/state.cfm?state=CA "The Kennedy Center Activity Report for California"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522084811/http://www.kennedy-center.org/states/state.cfm?state=CA |date=May 22, 2008 }} Kennedy Center Web site</ref> When [[White House Chief of Staff]] [[Josh Bolten]] was asked about his relationship with Derek on the April 30, 2006 edition of ''[[Fox News Sunday]]'' with [[Chris Wallace]], Bolten said she was his friend and a "good supporter of the [43rd] president."<ref>{{cite news |title=Transcript: White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten on 'FNS |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/transcript-white-house-chief-of-staff-josh-bolten-on-fns |access-date=26 January 2023 |work=Fox News |date=January 13, 2015}}</ref>

Derek voted for [[Barack Obama]] in 2008.<ref name="independent">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bo-derek-republican-candidates-election-politics-282530 |title=Bo Derek Dispels the Belief She's Republican: 'I'm Independent. I Voted for Obama' |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=January 16, 2012 |access-date=May 16, 2020}}</ref>

In 2012, Derek endorsed [[Mitt Romney]] for president.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/14/the-gop-s-two-faced-celeb-bashing-of-obama-s-parker-wintour-fundraiser.html |title=The GOP's Two-Faced Celeb Bashing of Obama's Parker-Wintour Fundraiser |first=Michelle |last=Cottle |date=June 14, 2012 |work=[[The Daily Beast]] |access-date=July 19, 2016}}</ref>

In a 2020 interview with ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', when asked who she was supporting in the [[2020 United States presidential election|then-upcoming presidential election]], Derek explained, "I don't talk about who I vote for anymore. I supported Bush 43 and I became one of the poster girls for the Republicans. But I'm an independent. I don't want to be pigeonholed and labeled as one thing or another."<ref name="Variety">{{Cite web |last=Malkin |first=Marc |date=2020-08-14 |title=Bo Derek Looks Back on Her Career, Past Relationships and Acting With Trump |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/bo-derek-linda-evans-10-donald-trump-1234734836/ |access-date=2021-04-05 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> Responding to a related query about [[Donald Trump]]'s [[Cameo appearance|cameo]] in the 1989 film ''[[Ghosts Can't Do It]]'', Derek said that the part was written specifically for him and that "he was great."<ref name="Variety"/>

==Other work==
In 1980, Derek appeared twice in ''[[Playboy]]'' magazine; she was featured again in 1981, 1984, and 1994.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 50 Hottest Celebrities Who've Posed for Playboy |url=http://uk.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/02/the-50-hottest-celebrities-whove-posed-for-playboy/ |work=Complex |date=2013-02-23 |access-date=2017-06-13}}</ref>

Derek was set to participate in the 2016 [[Comedy Central]] [[roast (comedy)|roast]] of [[Rob Lowe]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/17/peyton-manning-bo-derek-comedy-central-roast-rob-lowe |title=Peyton Manning, Bo Derek, Rob Riggle Set to Roast Rob Lowe |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=19 August 2016}}</ref> but she was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=How Rob Lowe Prepped for His Roast |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/09/01/rob-lowe-roast-comedy-central-peyton-manning-ann-coulter/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Dotdash Meredith |access-date=1 September 2016}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
=== Horse owner and activist ===
Derek, a horse lover and riding enthusiast since childhood, owns [[Andalusian horse|Andalusian]] and [[Lusitano]] horses and is a spokesperson for the [[Animal Welfare Institute]]'s campaign to end horse slaughter through the passage of federal and state legislation.<ref name="CHRB"/><ref name="DMTC">{{cite web |title=Actress/Horsewoman/Advocate Bo Derek Joins Board of DMTC |url=https://www.dmtc.com/media/news/actresshorsewomanadvocate-bo-derek-joins-board-of-dmtc-1129 |website=Del Mar Thoroughbred Club |access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref> On February 5, 2002, she published her autobiography entitled ''Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses'' ({{ISBN|0-06-039437-4}}).<ref name="DMTC"/> In 2008, Derek was appointed a commissioner of the [[California Horse Racing Board]] by [[Arnold Schwarzenegger|California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger]], a position she held until 2015.<ref name="CHRB"/><ref name="LATimes 2008"/><ref name="CHRB Tenure">{{cite web |title=Bo Derek Joins Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Board of Directors |url=https://paulickreport.com/news/bo-derek-joins-del-mar-thoroughbred-club-board-of-directors |website=Paulick Report |access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref> 
 
=== Wounded veterans advocate ===
Derek has served as Honorary Chairperson for [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|Veterans Affairs]]' National Rehabilitation Special Events since 2000<ref name="VA 2009">{{cite web |title=Actress Bo Derek Honored for Work on Behalf of Veterans |url=https://news.va.gov/press-room/actress-bo-derek-honored-for-work-on-behalf-of-veterans/ |access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref> or 2001.<ref name="VA 2005">{{cite web |title=Bo Derek To Serve as 2005 Honorary Chairperson of VA's National Rehabilitation Special Events |url=https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=911 |access-date=10 April 2023}}</ref> She is an avid supporter of the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in [[Snowmass Village, Colorado]].<ref name="Fox 2020">{{cite news |last1=Nolasco |first1=Stephanie |title=Bo Derek Reflects on Giving Back to American Veterans: 'There's Just So Much We Don't Do for Our Heroes' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/bo-derek-reflects-proud-american-veterans |access-date=10 April 2023 |date=30 August 2020}}</ref>

In 2003, Derek received the VA's highest honor from [[United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs|Secretary of Veterans Affairs]], [[Anthony Principi]]. She regularly appears on [[United Service Organizations]] tours, for which the [[Special Forces Association]] named her an honorary [[Special Forces (United States Army)|Green Beret]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=698 |title = Bo Derek Named Honorary Green Beret |access-date = January 18, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070813211713/http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=698 |archive-date = August 13, 2007 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

Derek's father, Paul Collins, was a radio operator during the [[Korean War]]. Her stepfather, Bobby Bass, and her late husband, John Derek, were both US military veterans.<ref name="Fox 2020"/>

===Wildlife preservation===
Derek has been active for over 15 years with the environmental agency [[WildAid]],<ref name="WildAid Ambassador"/><ref name="People 2018">{{cite web |last1=Hogan |first1=Kate |title=The Most Beautiful Photos You'll See Today: Bo Derek Goes Diving with Whale Sharks for WildAid |url=https://people.com/pets/bo-derek-shark-diving-photos-wildaid/ |website=People.com |publisher=Dotdash Meredith |access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref> which provides funds to protect sharks and dissuade people from purchasing wildlife products. In 2006, she was designated as the Special Envoy of the Secretary of State for Wildlife Tracking Issues by [[Robert Zoellick|Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick]].<ref name="Special Envoy"/> On August 13, 2020, she was a guest on the [[Shark Week|Discovery Channel's Shark Week]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Josh Gates To Host Shark-Themed Episodes of Virtual Talk-Show Josh Gates Tonight During Shark Week 2020 |url=https://press.discovery.com/us/dsc/press-releases/2020/josh-gates-to-host-shark-themed-episodes-of-v-5195/ |website=Discovery Press Web |access-date=24 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713034241/https://press.discovery.com/us/dsc/press-releases/2020/josh-gates-to-host-shark-themed-episodes-of-v-5195/ |archive-date=13 July 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Relationships ===
[[File:Chandran Rutnam with John and Bo Derek.jpeg|thumb|right|Bo Derek with husband John Derek (right) and [[Chandran Rutnam]]]]
After 16-year-old Mary Cathleen Collins began a relationship with [[John Derek]], who was 30 years her senior, they moved to Germany, where Derek would not be subject to prosecution under California's [[statutory rape]] laws.<ref name="WashingtonPost 1980"/> They returned to the United States soon after Collins's 18th birthday and married in 1976.<ref name="USA Today 2020"/> They remained married until Derek's death from heart failure in 1998.<ref>{{cite news |title = Obituary:John Derek |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-john-derek-1157309.html |access-date = January 15, 2012 |newspaper = The Independent |first = Tom |last = Vallance |date = May 25, 1998 }}</ref>

Following her husband's death, Collins, now known as Bo Derek, briefly dated [[David Dreier|Republican Congressman David Dreier]].<ref name="SFGATE"/>

Since 2002, Derek has been in a relationship with actor [[John Corbett]], with whom she lives on a ranch in [[Santa Barbara, California]].<ref name="Variety"/><ref name="People 2021">{{Cite web |url=https://people.com/tv/john-corbett-reveals-he-and-bo-derek-wed-2020/ |title=Surprise! John Corbett and Bo Derek Wed Last Year: 'After 20 Years We Decided to Get Married'}}</ref> They married in December 2020.<ref name="People 2021"/>

== Acting credits ==
=== Film ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1977
| ''[[Orca (1977 film)|Orca]]''
| Annie
| aka ''Orca: The Killer Whale'' 
|-
| 1979
| ''[[10 (1979 film)|10]]''
| Jenny Hanley
|
|-
| 1980
| data-sort-value="Change of Seasons, A" | ''[[A Change of Seasons (film)|A Change of Seasons]]''
| Lindsey Rutledge
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1981
| ''[[Fantasies (film)|Fantasies]]''
| Anastasia
| Filmed and produced in 1973; Credited as Kathleen Collins; aka ''Once Upon a Love'', ''Once Upon a Time'', ''And Once Upon a Love'', ''And Once Upon a Time'', and ''Bo Derek's Fantasies''<ref name="AFI Fantasies" />
|-
| ''[[Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981 film)|Tarzan, the Ape Man]]''
| Jane Parker
|
|-
| 1984
| ''[[Bolero (1984 film)|Bolero]]''
| Ayre "Mac" MacGillivery
|
|-
| 1989
| ''[[Ghosts Can't Do It]]''
| Katie O'Dare Scott
|
|-
| 1992
| ''[[Sognando la California]]''
| Herself
|
|-
| 1993
| ''[[Woman of Desire]]''
| Christina Ford
|
|-
| 1995
| ''[[Tommy Boy]]''
| Beverly Barish-Burns Callahan
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2001
| ''Sunstorm''
| Victoria Warren
|
|-
| ''[[Frozen with Fear]]''
| Katherine Sullivan
|
|-
| ''Horror 101''
| Miss Allison James
|
|-
| 2002
| data-sort-value="Master of Disguise, The" | ''[[The Master of Disguise]]''
| Herself
| [[Cameo appearance]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2003
| ''[[Malibu's Most Wanted]]''
| Bess Gluckman
|
|-
| ''[[Boom (2003 film)|Boom]]''
| Herself
| Cameo appearance
|-
| 2017
| ''[[5 Weddings]]''
| Mandy Singh Dhaliwal
|
|-
|}

=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1992
| ''Hot Chocolate''
| B.J. Cassidy
| rowspan="2" | [[Television movie]]
|-
| 1994
| ''Shattered Image''
| Helen Allgood
|-
| 1998
| ''Wind on Water''
| Ciel Connolly
| 3 episodes
|-
| 1999
| data-sort-value="Drew Carey Show, The" | ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]''
| Herself
| rowspan="3" | 1 episode
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2000
| ''[[Family Law (American TV series)|Family Law]]''
| Camille Weller
|-
| ''[[Queen of Swords (TV series)|Queen of Swords]]''
| Mary Rose
|-
| ''[[Murder at the Cannes Film Festival]]''
| Thada Pryce
| Television movie
|-
| 2001
| ''[[Two Guys and a Girl|Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place]]''
| Susan Bergen
| 3 episodes
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Lucky (American TV series)|Lucky]]''
| Joan
| rowspan="2" | 1 episode
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Still Standing (American TV series)|Still Standing]]''
| Mrs. Rose Grundy
|-
| 2003–2005
| ''[[7th Heaven (TV series)|7th Heaven]]''
| Mrs. Kinkirk
| 3 episodes
|-
| 2005
| ''Crusader''
| Nicola Markham
| Television movie
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Fashion House]]''
| Maria Gianni
| 40 episodes
|-
| 2011
| data-sort-value="Hunt for the I-5 Killer, The" | ''The Hunt for the I-5 Killer''
| Seaver
| Television movie
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2012
| ''[[Chuck (TV series)|Chuck]]''
| Herself
| 1 episode
|-
| ''[[CSI: Miami]]''
| Joanna Toring
| 1 episode
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!]]''
| rowspan="2" | May Wexler
| rowspan="4" | Television movie
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2018
| data-sort-value="Last Sharknado: It's About Time, The" | ''[[The Last Sharknado: It's About Time]]''
|-
| data-sort-value="Christmas Trap, The" | ''The Christmas Trap''
| Elsa Gentry
|-
| 2020
| ''JL Family Ranch 2: The Wedding Gift''
| Claudia 
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Mask Singer: Adivina quién canta]]''
| Sirena/Herself
| 2 episodes
|-
|}

== Production credits ==
=== Film ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Film
! Genre
! Year
! Role
! Notes
|-
| ''[[Love You (film)|Love You]]''
| Porn
| 1979
| Producer
|
|-
| ''[[Ghosts Can't Do It]]''
| Romantic Comedy
| 1989
| Producer, Actor
| 
|}

== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Nominated work
!Result
|-
|[[37th Golden Globe Awards|1980]]
|[[Golden Globe Awards]]
|[[Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress|New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture – Female]]
|rowspan="2"|''[[10 (1979 film)|10]]''
|{{Nom}}
|-
|[[Jupiter Award (film award)#3rd Jupiter Award / 1981|1981]]
|[[Jupiter Award (film award)|Jupiter Awards]]
|Best International Actress
|{{Nom}}
|-
|[[2nd Golden Raspberry Awards|1982]]
|rowspan="7"|[[Golden Raspberry Awards]]
|[[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress|Worst Actress]]
|''[[Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981 film)|Tarzan, the Ape Man]]''
|{{Won}}
|-
|[[5th Golden Raspberry Awards|1985]]
|[[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress|Worst Actress]]
|''[[Bolero (1984 film)|Bolero]]''
|{{Won}}
|-
|[[10th Golden Raspberry Awards|1990]]
|Worst Actress of the Decade
|''[[Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981 film)|Tarzan, the Ape Man]]'', ''[[Bolero (1984 film)|Bolero]]'' 
|{{Won}}
|-
|[[11th Golden Raspberry Awards|1991]]
|[[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress|Worst Actress]]
|''[[Ghosts Can't Do It]]''
|{{Won}}
|-
|[[16th Golden Raspberry Awards|1996]]
|[[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress|Worst Supporting Actress]]
|''[[Tommy Boy]]''
|{{Nom}}
|-
|[[20th Golden Raspberry Awards|2000]]
|Worst Actress of the Century
|''[[Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981 film)|Tarzan, the Ape Man]]'', ''[[Bolero (1984 film)|Bolero]]'',<br>''[[Ghosts Can't Do It]]'', and ''[[Tommy Boy]]''
|{{Nom}}
|-
|[[23rd Golden Raspberry Awards|2003]]
|[[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress|Worst Supporting Actress]]
|''[[The Master of Disguise]]''
|{{Nom}}
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name|0000137}}
* [https://www.angelfire.com/rock2/rockinterviews/boderek.html Interview with Bo Derek]

{{Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Derek, Bo}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Long Beach, California]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:Narbonne High School alumni]]
[[Category:Pseudonymous actors]]