Mary Cathleen Collins aka Bo biography

Real biography: Bo Derek did for cornrow hairstyles what Heather Graham did for roller skates

Life Story

Derek started out as a model, after she needed to make some quick money to buy a surf board. Her first ad was for deodorant, and her knack for performing caught the eye of Hollywood. She met film director John Derek and fell in love. The two were married despite her young age (she was 16 at the time and he was well into his thirties). The couple moved to Germany, to avoid United States statutory rape laws. When Derek turned 18, they moved back to the states. Despite the age difference the couple remained together until John's death in 1998.

Derek was offered a starring role in the 1976 King Kong remake, but turned it down. Her first film was the campy horror film Orca: The Killer Whale, in which she plays a swimmer who's leg is eaten off. In 1979, Derek's role in the Dudley Moore comedy 10 became one of the most talked about performances of the year, and the scene of Derek running in slow motion on the beach was an instant classic.

Unfortunatly, Derek followup her breakout role in 10, with roles in bad movies such as Tarzan, The Ape Man in 1980 and Bolero in 1984. Instead of relying on her acting ability, Derek became a sex symbol in these B-movies. Throughout the 1980s, she appeared nude in numerous issues of Playboy Magazine.

In recent years, Derek has turned her sights on politcs and animal rights. She proudly supports the republican party, hosting benefits for the 2000 and 2004 George Bush campaigns. For the '08 election, Derek is supporting republican Rudy Giuliani. She is also a spokesperson for the Animal Welfare Institute.