Flawless Facts About Bo Derek, Hollywood’s Perfect Ten
When Bo Derek was just 16 years old, she met a mysterious man who would transform her from an aimless surfer girl to a startling Hollywood sensation.
1. She Was The Best And The Worst
Bo Derek made a name for herself in Hollywood as a siren of beauty. Her acting was only so-so, but when paired with her husband’s schlocky writing and directing, there was a perfect storm of bad filmmaking. The people at the Golden Raspberry Awards honored her with seven nominations—one was even for worst actress of the century. Ouch.
While much of her life was marked by her time with a controlling and untalented husband at her side, Derek’s story is actually a roller-coaster ride from start to finish.
2. She Was Missing
Bo Derek was born Mary Cathleen Collins on November 20, 1956, in Long Beach, California. It was a kind of perfect California childhood as dad worked for a boat manufacturer, and mom was a make-up artist for the stars. But when the cat is away, the mouse will play.
When Derek should’ve been in school, she was busy getting into other things. In fact, for a full month, she went AWOL from high school, and no one knew where she was.
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3. She Had No Ambition
Instead of attending school, Bo Derek just spent her days at the beach. She just wanted to surf all day, and the only future she saw for herself was working in a surf shop. Back at home, Derek’s mom and dad had divorced, and mom was now with stuntman extraordinaire Bobby Bass. Also, one of Mom’s clients was Ann-Margret, and the Bye Bye Birdie star saw something in little Mary Collins.
4. She Took A Trip
Ann-Margret introduced her to a talent agent who in turn lined her up for her first audition. This was with director John Derek, and the film was Once Upon A Love. A 16-year-old Derek landed the role and was soon off to Greece to film it. If you think a 16-year-old girl going off to an exotic island with a 46-year-old filmmaker is a red flag, you're absolutely right.
