Date of Birth: August 12, 1926
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: May 22, 1998
Biography
John Derek, born Derek Delevan Harris, was an American actor, director, and photographer. He was born on August 12, 1926, in Hollywood, California. John Derek began his career in the film industry in the 1940s and gained prominence for his roles in films such as “Knock on Any Door” (1949) and “All the King’s Men” (1949). He also starred in “The Ten Commandments” (1956) and “Exodus” (1960). Derek transitioned into directing in the 1960s and 1970s, where he directed his then-wife Ursula Andress in “Once Before I Die” (1966) and his subsequent wives Linda Evans and Bo Derek in various films. He is perhaps best known for directing “10” (1979), which starred Bo Derek and became a significant cultural touchstone of its era. Aside from his work in film, John Derek was also a talented photographer, often capturing portraits of his wives and other celebrities. His career was characterized by his work both in front of and behind the camera, leaving a lasting legacy in Hollywood. John Derek passed away on May 22, 1998, in Santa Maria, California, due to cardiovascular disease.
5 Interesting Facts about John Derek
1. John Derek was married four times, most notably to actresses Ursula Andress, Linda Evans, and Bo Derek.
2. He legally changed his name from Derek Delevan Harris to John Derek.
3. Derek directed and photographed his wives in many of his films, often casting them in lead roles.
4. He was a skilled photographer and published several books of his photographic work.
5. John Derek served in the United States Army during World War II.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Derek
1. “I always wanted to be behind the camera rather than in front of it.”
2. “I’ve always been a romantic at heart.”
3. “The camera captures more than just an image; it captures a moment in time.”
4. “Hollywood is a place where you can make a lot of money, but you can’t always make a lot of art.”
5. “Directing is where my true passion lies.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by John Derek was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
John Derek had two children from his marriage to actress Pati Behrs: a son named Russell Derek and a daughter named Sean Catherine Derek.
Relevant Links
1. [John Derek IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0220359/
2. [John Derek Biography on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Derek
3. [Find a Grave: John Derek](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2960/john-derek
5. [Bo Derek’s Tribute to John Derek](https://www.boderek.com/john-derek
