John Derek

John Derek was a Hollywood star who earned his reputation initially as an actor and later as a photographer and director.

Early Accomplishments

He broke into the film industry when he was 17 based solely on good looks and made his debut in the 1944 films, Since You Went Away and I’ll Be Seeing You.

After a very short service in the US Army for the WWII in 1944, he returned to Hollywood in the 1947 film, A Double Life. 

Best Known For

He earned his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his roles in films such as Knock On Any Door, All The King’s Men (both 1949) and The Ten Commandments as Joshua (1956).

He directed films such as Ghosts Can’t Do It (1989), Bolero (1984) and Tarzan, The Ape Man (1981), all of which starred his 4th wife.

Sexual Orientation

John was straight and was married 4 times. His first wife was Patti Behrs whom he married 1948 but left her in 1955 for unknown Swiss teenager, Ursula Andress and married her in 1957.

He broke things with Andress in 1965 after she cheated on him and he moved on with Linda Evans, having a quick wedding in 1968.

Evans divorced him in 1974 after he cheated on her with 16-year old Mary Collins (Bo Derek) and he married her in 1976.

Family

He was born Derek Delevan Harris, son of Lawrence Harris and Dolores Johnson. He fathered son Russell and daughter Sean with Patti and had Alyce Derek as a grandchild. He became a great-grandpa in 1996.

Religion

Unfortunately, we could not find reliable information as regards his religious beliefs. It appears he was non-religious.

Worth To Know

He photographed all his wives except Patti in nude spreads for Playboy magazine.

His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was assigned to him in February 1960.