Bo Derek (born November 20, 1956) is an American actress and model. She rose to fame through her breakout role in the 1979 romantic comedy 10.
Derek remains a recognizable Hollywood figure decades later.
Who is Who is Actress Bo Derek??
Bo Derek is an American film and television actress, producer, and model. Her birth name is Mary Cathleen Collins.
She became internationally famous after her starring role in 10 (1979) alongside Dudley Moore. The film’s beach scene, featuring her cornrow hairstyle, turned her into a defining sex symbol of the era.
Derek went on to appear in Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981), Bolero (1984), and Tommy Boy (1995). Today she is also known for her work in animal welfare advocacy.
Early Life of Who is Actress Bo Derek?
Bo Derek was born Mary Cathleen Collins on November 20, 1956, in Long Beach, California. Her father, Paul Collins, worked as an executive for the boat manufacturer Hobie Cat.
Her mother, Norma Collins, worked as a make-up artist and hairdresser to actress Ann-Margret. Derek grew up with two sisters and a brother. Her parents later divorced. Norma then married stunt performer Bobby Bass.
Derek attended Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California. She skipped a month of classes to surf at the beach before getting caught by her mother.
At age 16, through a connection made via Ann-Margret, she auditioned for director John Derek’s film Once Upon a Love. She landed the role and traveled to Greece to film it, dropping out of high school in the process.
Who is Actress Bo Derek? Age
Bo Derek is 69 years old as of June 30, 2026, born on November 20, 1956. Their zodiac sign is Scorpio.
She remains a public figure in semi-retirement, occasionally attending red carpet events alongside her husband.
In February 2026, she appeared at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival to help honor actor Stellan Skarsgård.
Who is Actress Bo Derek? Ethnicity and Nationality
Bo Derek is American by nationality. She was born and raised in Long Beach, California.
Her family background includes English and other Northern European roots. She has spent most of her life and career in Southern California.
Who is Actress Bo Derek? Height and Weight
Bo Derek stands at 5 feet 3¾ inches (1.62 m), according to IMDb. Her weight is not publicly confirmed with certainty.
She has maintained a slim, athletic build throughout her decades in the public eye. This build has often been linked to her lifelong involvement with horseback riding.
Her physical look in 10 became one of the most recognized images in 1970s and 1980s American film. That image continues to define her public profile today.
Who is Actress Bo Derek? Education (brief)
Bo Derek attended Narbonne High School and George S. Patton Continuation School, both in Harbor City, California. She left school at age 16 before completing her diploma.
This decision came after she was offered the lead role in Once Upon a Love, which would later be released as Fantasies. She has spoken publicly about that period of her life.
In a 1985 interview on Late Night with David Letterman, Derek explained that she had not initially meant to quit school. She said she went back to attending classes for a while before leaving to film in Greece.
Who is Actress Bo Derek? Career
Breakthrough Role / Career Start
Derek began working as a child model before moving into acting. Her first film, the romantic drama Once Upon a Love, was shot in Greece in 1973 but was not released until 1981 under the title Fantasies.
In 1977, director Michael Anderson cast her in a small role in the horror film Orca: The Killer Whale. Her character lost a leg to the title creature.
Derek’s true breakthrough came in 1979. She starred as Jenny Hanley in 10, a romantic comedy directed by Blake Edwards and co-starring Dudley Moore and Julie Andrews.
Her dream-sequence run along the beach in a flesh-colored swimsuit, paired with her cornrow hairstyle, became one of the most parodied scenes in film history. The role earned her a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year – Actress.
Notable Films / Projects
Following 10, Derek starred in A Change of Seasons (1980) with Shirley MacLaine and Anthony Hopkins. The film performed only moderately at the box office.
In 1981, she took her first leading mainstream role in Tarzan, the Ape Man, directed by her husband John Derek. The film earned over $35 million and became the 15th highest-grossing film of 1981, despite negative reviews.
She next starred in Bolero (1984), an erotic drama also directed by John Derek. The film received an X rating due to its sexual content.
Bolero was widely panned by critics. It won multiple Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture, and Derek herself won her second Golden Raspberry for Worst Actress.
After a five-year break, Derek returned in Ghosts Can’t Do It (1989), her final collaboration with John Derek as director. The film was a critical and commercial failure, earning her a third Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress.
She appeared in the television films Hot Chocolate (1992) and Shattered Image (1994), as well as the straight-to-video film Woman of Desire (1994).
In 1995, she co-starred in the comedy Tommy Boy with Chris Farley and David Spade, a role that earned her a Golden Raspberry nomination for Worst Supporting Actress.
Recent Work
Derek has not appeared in a major film or television project since the mid-2010s, when she had a role in Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! (2015). She remains in semi-retirement as of 2026.
In June 2025, she partnered with Mainstreetchamber Holdings LLC to launch a bedding and furniture line called “Perfect 10,” a nod to her breakout film.
She also continues to make occasional red carpet appearances, including the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February 2026 and an event in Mallorca, Spain, in June 2026.
Who is Actress Bo Derek? Filmography (if actor)
- Fantasies (1981, filmed 1973)
- Orca: The Killer Whale (1977)
- 10 (1979)
- A Change of Seasons (1980)
- Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981)
- Bolero (1984)
- Ghosts Can’t Do It (1989)
- Hot Chocolate (1992, TV film)
- Shattered Image (1994)
- Woman of Desire (1994)
- Tommy Boy (1995)
- Malibu’s Most Wanted (2003)
- Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! (2015)
Who is Actress Bo Derek? Awards and Recognition
Bo Derek received a Golden Globe Award nomination for New Star of the Year – Actress for her performance in 10 in 1980. She lost the award to Bette Midler.
She also holds a notable distinction in Golden Raspberry Award history. She won the Worst Actress Razzie three times, for Tarzan, the Ape Man, Bolero, and Ghosts Can’t Do It.
In 2000, Derek received a nomination for Worst Actress of the Century at the 20th Golden Raspberry Awards. She shared that nomination with Madonna, Brooke Shields, Elizabeth Berkley, and Pia Zadora.
Who is Actress Bo Derek? [Wife]
Bo Derek is married to actor John Corbett. The couple secretly wed in December 2020 after dating since 2002.
Corbett publicly confirmed the marriage during a 2021 appearance on The Talk. He explained that the pair wanted to find something positive in a difficult year.
Before Corbett, Derek was married to actor and director John Derek. The two wed in 1976, when she was 19 and he was 49, and remained married until his death from heart failure in 1998.
Derek and Corbett live together on a ranch in Santa Ynez, California. They share their home with several horses and three German Shepherds.
Who is Actress Bo Derek? Net Worth
Bo Derek’s estimated net worth is $40 million as of 2026. Her wealth comes primarily from her decades-long acting career, modeling work, and business ventures.
She has also earned income from her memoir, Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses, published in 2002. Her pet care brand and newer “Perfect 10” home goods line add to her business income.
Who is Actress Bo Derek? Social Media
Bo Derek is active on Instagram under the verified handle @reallyboderek. She shares updates on her advocacy work, equestrian life, and appearances with husband John Corbett.
Her official website, bo-derek.com, also links to her social media presence. She does not maintain a confirmed official presence on TikTok or YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Who is Actress Bo Derek?’s net worth?
Bo Derek’s net worth is estimated at $40 million as of 2026.
How old is Who is Actress Bo Derek??
Bo Derek is 69 years old, born on November 20, 1956.
Who is Who is Actress Bo Derek? dating / married to?
Bo Derek is married to actor John Corbett, whom she wed in December 2020 after dating since 2002.
What is Who is Actress Bo Derek?’s height?
Bo Derek’s height is 5 feet 3¾ inches (1.62 m).
What movies / projects has Who is Actress Bo Derek? been in?
She is best known for 10 (1979), along with Tarzan, the Ape Man, Bolero, and Tommy Boy.
Where was Who is Actress Bo Derek? born?
Bo Derek was born in Long Beach, California.
The Bottom Line
Bo Derek’s breakout role in 10 (1979) made her one of the defining sex symbols of her era. The dream-sequence beach scene alongside Dudley Moore remains one of the most referenced moments in American film.
Off screen, Derek has spent decades as an equestrian and animal welfare advocate. She authored her memoir, Riding Lessons, in 2002, drawing direct lessons from her life with horses.
In 2026, Derek continues to make occasional red carpet appearances with husband John Corbett.
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