Born: August 12, 1926 - Died: May 22, 1998
John Derek, born on August 12, 1926 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA, was a prominent actor and director in the entertainment industry. He is best known for his roles in films such as The Ten Commandments (1956), Ghosts Can't Do It (1989), and Bolero (1984). Throughout his career, John Derek was married to notable figures such as Bo Derek, Linda Evans, Ursula Andress, and Pati Behrs. He made significant contributions to both acting and directing, leaving a lasting impact on the industry. Unfortunately, he passed away on May 22, 1998 in Santa Maria, California, USA.
Early Life and Career
John Derek was born and raised in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. He did not attend university as he began his acting career at a young age. His first professional role came in 1944 when he appeared in the film "I'll Be Seeing You." However, it was his role as Joshua in the epic film "The Ten Commandments" (1956) that garnered him significant recognition and launched him into stardom.
Throughout his career, John Derek received several awards and nominations for his work. He won six awards and received four nominations for his directorial effort in the film "Ghosts Can't Do It" (1989). Additionally, he won the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year for his role in "Knock on Any Door" (1949).
In his personal life, John Derek was married four times. His most notable marriage was to Bo Derek, whom he married in 1976 and remained married to until his death. He also had relationships with actresses Ursula Andress and Linda Evans. John Derek was known for his talents in photography and often photographed his wives for various magazine spreads.
Throughout his career, John Derek made a significant impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry. He was considered a sex symbol of his time and was known for his rugged and handsome appearance. He paved the way for future actors with his groundbreaking roles and contributed to the evolution of film and television.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Once Before I Die | Bailey |
| 1965 | Nightmare in the Sun | Hitchhiker |
| 1961–1962 | Frontier Circus (TV Series) | Ben Travis |
| 1957–1961 | Zane Grey Theatre (TV Series) | Chet Loring | Andy Todd |
| 1960 | Exodus | Taha |
| 1959 | Prisoner of the Volga | Alexej Orloff |
| 1958 | High Hell | Craig Rhodes |
| 1957 | Il corsaro della mezzaluna | Nadir El Krim | Paul de Vellenera |
| 1957 | Omar Khayyam | Young Prince Malik |
| 1957 | The Flesh Is Weak | Tony Giani |
| 1957 | Fury at Showdown | Brock Mitchell |
| 1956 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | Lt. Norman Tucker |
| 1953–1956 | The Ford Television Theatre (TV Series) | Jim Hawk | Allan Malone |
| 1956 | The Ten Commandments | Joshua |
| 1956 | The Leather Saint | Father Gil Allen |
| 1955 | Run for Cover | Davey Bishop |
| 1955 | An Annapolis Story | Anthony J. 'Tony' Scott |
| 1955 | Prince of Players | John Wilkes Booth |
| 1954 | The Adventures of Hajji Baba | Hajji Baba |
| 1954 | The Outcast | Jet Cosgrave |
| 1954 | The Big Moment (Short) | Avrum |
| 1954 | Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) | George Eastman |
| 1953 | Sea of Lost Ships | G.R. 'Grad' Matthews |
| 1953 | Mission Over Korea | Lt. Pete Barker |
| 1953 | The Last Posse | Jed Clayton |
| 1953 | Ambush at Tomahawk Gap | Kid |
| 1953 | Prince of Pirates | Prince Roland |
| 1952 | Thunderbirds | Lt. Gil Hackett |
| 1952 | Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder | John Derek (uncredited) |
| 1952 | Scandal Sheet | Steve McCleary |
| 1951 | The Family Secret | David Clark |
| 1951 | Saturday's Hero | Steve Novak |
| 1951 | Mask of the Avenger | Capt. Renato Dimorna |
| 1950 | Rogues of Sherwood Forest | Robin, Earl of Huntington |
| 1949 | All the King's Men | Tom Stark |
| 1949 | Knock on Any Door | Nick Romano |
| 1947 | A Double Life | Police Stenographer (uncredited) |
| 1944 | I'll Be Seeing You | Lt. Bruce (as Dare Harris) |
| 1944 | Since You Went Away | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| 1943 | The Nest (Short) | Boy Friend (as Dare Harris) |
