John Derek (1926-1998)

biography

Born Derek Harris in Hollywood on August 12, 1926, actor/director John Derek was practically born into show business, and with his matinee-idol looks he was a natural for films. Derek got his start in bit parts as a teenager; his first role came in the wartime tear-jerker Since You Went Away (1944), the film in which Guy Madison made his debut. After military service and a few years of small roles, Derek signed with Columbia Pictures in 1948. He was immediately cast in two Columbia film noir thrillers: Knock on Any Door (1949; with Humphrey Bogart) and All the King's Men (1949; with Broderick Crawford, John Ireland, and Joanne Dru. Columbia later used Derek in swashbucklers such as Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950) and Prince of Pirates (1953). Derek left Columbia in 1953 to freelance for other studios, including Republic, Allied Artists, and United Artists. By the late 1950s, with no studio to fall back on, Derek's acting career was stalling. In 1961, he took a role on the CBS television series Frontier Circus, but the network canceled the show in April 1962. By the mid 1960s, he stepped behind the camera as a director and cinematographer, leaving acting behind.

In addition to his films, John Derek was also known for marrying some of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood; his four wives were Pati Behrs, Ursula Andress, Linda Evans, and Bo Derek. In his later career as a director, Derek directed films starring threee of his wives, including Once Before I Die (1965) with Ursula Andress; Childish Things (1969) with Linda Evans; and Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981) with Bo Derek.

the films of john derek

Knock on Any Door (1949)

Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950)

Mask of the Avenger (1951)

Scandal Sheet (1952)

Ambush at Tomahawk Gap (1953)

Prince of Pirates (1953)

The Outcast (1954)

Run For Cover (1955)

The Leather Saint (1956)

The Ten Commandments (1956)

Fury at Showdown (1957)

Omar Khayyam (1957)

High Hell (1958)

Exodus (1960)

later years

Following the release of Once Before I Die (1965), a film that Derek produced, directed, and starred alongside his second wife, actress Ursula Andress, John Derek abandoned his acting career. He chose instead to serve as director, producer, writer, and cinematographer for a number of film projects. In the late 1960s he directed A Boy... a Girl (1969) and Childish Things (1969), the latter with his then-wife Linda Evans. His best-known effort is the 1981 release Tarzan, the Ape Man with Miles O'Keeffe and Bo Derek. With his health deteriorating, Derek stepped out of the business following the release of Ghosts Can't Do it (1990; with Bo Derek and Julie Newmar). After suffering with a heart ailment, he passed away in May 1998 at the age of 71. He was survived by his wife, Bo Derek, and a son and daughter.

john derek films available from movies unlimited

FILM
A Double Life [DVD](1947) DVD
Classic psychological drama about a suave but emotionally unstable actor who begins living the role of the murderous Othello on and off the stage. Star Ronald Colman won an Oscar for his performance; with Signe Hasso, Shelley Winters, Edmond O'Brien. 104 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.
All The King's Men [DVD](1949) DVD
Three Oscars (Picture, Actor, Supporting Actress) went to this drama of a backwoods Southern lawyer who deals his way into the governor's mansion, but cannot control his lust for power. Broderick Crawford stars as the Huey Long-inspired kingpin. Mercedes McCambridge, John Ireland and Joanne Dru; based on the novel by Robert Penn Warren. 109 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby mono, French, Portuguese, Spanish; Subtitled: English, Chinese, French, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai; production notes; biographies; theatrical trailers; scene access.
Rogues Of Sherwood Forest [DVD](1950) DVD
The king is at it again--taxing the helpless folk of his lands into abject poverty. Fortunately for the good people of Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood's son (John Derek) has inherited his famous father's penchant for crusading on behalf of the oppressed. Join him, Friar Tuck (Billy House), and the king's ward, Lady Marianne (Diana Lynn), as they set out to prove that might doesn't always make right. With Alan Hale, George Macready. 76 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH); theatrical trailer.
The Samuel Fuller Collection [DVD] DVD
As the silent-film era draws to a close, a western star (Richard Dix) finds his career in dire straits while his leading lady (Fay Wray) thrives, in "It Happened in Hollywood" (1937). It's an "Adventure in Sahara" (1938) when a band of mutinous legionnaires banishes their commander to the harsh desert. C. Henry Gordon stars. A dedicated newsman must stop his publisher from using their paper for his own political purposes, in "Power of the Press" (1943). Otto Kruger, Lee Tracy star. A beautiful ex-con (Patricia Knight) is torn between her straight-arrow parole officer (Cornel Wilde) and her shady gambler lover (John Baragrey), in "Shockproof" (1949). The editor of a "Scandal Sheet" (1952) kills his wife and puts suspicion off himself by assigning a reporter to find the killer. With Broderick Crawford, Donna Reed. While investigating the murder of a stripper, two detectives fall for the same woman--who also happens to be their star witness, in "The Crimson Kimono" (1959). Glenn Corbett,Victoria Shaw star. Cliff Robertson is a man seeking revenge against the crooks who killed his father, in "Underworld U.S.A." (1961). 8 3/4 hrs. total on seven discs. Standard/Widescreen (Enhanced); Subtitles: English, French; featurettes.
The Ten Commandments (50th Anniversary Collection) [DVD](1956) DVD
Grand-scale epic from Cecil B. DeMille (his final film) stars Charlton Heston as Moses, chosen by God to lead his fellow Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. The flight from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and Moses' receiving of the Commandments are highlights. Co-stars Edward G. Robinson, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Yvonne De Carlo, and a cast of thousands. 3 2/3 hrs. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital stereo Surround, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; documentaries; newsreel footage; theatrical trailers. Also includes the bonus feature "The Ten Commandments" (1923). Three-disc set.
Exodus [DVD](1960) DVD
Director Otto Preminger's sprawling saga about the 1947 Palestinian war for Israel's independence features an all-star cast that includes Paul Newman as a fiery resistance leader, Eva Marie Saint as an army nurse, Ralph Richardson and Peter Lawford as British officers and Sal Mineo as a radical freedom fighter. With John Derek, Lee J. Cobb; scripted by Dalton Trumbo from Leon Uris' novel. 208 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Surround; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; theatrical trailer.
Tarzan, The Ape Man [DVD](1981) DVD
Bo Derek is the swinging-est Jane yet in this sexy version of the legend. Dry, wet or undressed, Bo will steal your heart and bulge your eyes. No wonder jungle king Miles O'Keeffe screams, "ah uhh-uhh ah-uh!" Richard Harris co-stars. 115 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; theatrical trailer.

TELEVISION
Frontier Circus [DVD](1961) DVD
A departure from the traditional western television shows of the time, this offbeat 1961-62 NBC series--which has never been aired in syndication--chronicled the misadventures of the employees of a small circus as they travelled the American Southwest in the late 19th century. Chill Wills, John Derek, Richard Jaeckel, J. Pat O'Malley starred. All 26 episodes of the series are featured in a six-disc set. 21 2/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. 26 episodes on 6 discs. 21 2/3 hrs.
Zane Grey Theatre: Complete Season One [DVD](1956) DVD
All 29 episodes from the debut season--including "You Only Run Once," "Stage to Tucson," "Courage Is a Gun," "Back Trail," and "Badge of Honor"--have been collected in a four-disc set. 14 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; interviews; TV spots. **29 episodes on 4 discs.**

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john derek photos available

filmography

FILMS
Once Before I Die (1965) with Ursula Andress, Ron Ely, Richard Jaeckel, and Rod Lauren
Nightmare in the Sun (1965) with Ursula Andress, Richard Jaeckel, Chick Chandler, Keenan Wynn, and Aldo Ray
Exodus (1960) with Paul Newman, Eva Marie Saint, Sal Mineo, Ralph Richardson, Peter Lawford, and Lee J. Cobb
Prisoner of the Volga (1958) with Dawn Addams, Elsa Martinelli, Gert Frobe, and Rik Battaglia
High Hell (1958) with Elaine Stewart
Pirate of the Half Moon (1957) with Gianna Maria Canale
The Flesh Is Weak (1957) with Joe Robinson
Omar Khayyam (1957) with Cornel Wilde, Debra Paget, Michael Rennie, Raymond Massey, and Sebastian Cabot
Fury at Showdown (1957) with Nick Adams, John Smith, and Carolyn Craig
Massacre at Sand Creek (1956) with William Schallert
The Ten Commandments (1956) with Charlton Heston, Yvonne De Carlo, Debra Paget, Mike Connors, Vincent Price, and Anne Baxter
The Leather Saint (1956) with Paul Douglas and Cesar Romero
Run for Cover (1955) with James Cagney, Viveca Lindfors, Ernest Borgnine, and Grant Withers
An Annapolis Story (1955) with Kevin McCarthy, Diana Lynn, Alvy Moore, and L.Q. Jones
Prince of Players (1955) with Richard Burton and Raymond Massey
The Adventures of Hajji Baba (1954) with Elaine Stewart, Amanda Blake, and Peter Mamakos
The Outcast (1954) with Joan Evans, Jim Davis, and Nicolas Coster
Sea of Lost Ships (1954) with Richard Jaeckel, Wanda Hendrix, Steve Brodie, and Walter Brennan
Mission Over Korea (1953) with John Hodiak, Rex Reason, Harvey Lembeck, and Maureen O'Sullivan
The Last Posse (1953) with Broderick Crawford and Wanda Hendrix
Ambush at Tomahawk Gap (1953) with John Hodiak and David Brian
Prince of Pirates (1953) with Barbara Rush
Thunderbirds (1952) with John Drew Barrymore, Ward Bond, and Mona Freeman
Scandal Sheet (1952) with Broderick Crawford, Rosemary DeCamp, and Harry Morgan
The Family Secret (1951) with Lee J. Cobb, Peggy Converse, and Jody Lawrance
Saturday's Hero (1951) with Donna Reed, Aldo Ray, and Sidney Blackmer
Mask of the Avenger (1951) with Anthony Quinn and Jody Lawrance
Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950) with Diana Lynn, Alan Hale, and George Macready
All the King's Men (1949) with Broderick Crawford, John Ireland, Joanne Dru, and Mercedes McCambridge
Knock on Any Door (1949) with Humphrey Bogart and George Macready
A Double Life (1947) with Ronald Colman, Shelley Winters, and Edmund O'Brien
I'll Be Seeing You (1944) with Ginger Rogers, Joseph Cotten, Shirley Temple, and Spring Byington

TELEVISION SERIES
Frontier Circus, 1961-1962 CBS TV series. Derek portrayed Ben Travis

TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
Zane Grey Theater, episode Storm Over Eden, originally aired May 4, 1961
Zane Grey Theater, episode There Were Four, originally aired March 15, 1957
Playhouse 90, episode Massacre at Sand Creek, originally aired December 27, 1956
The Ford Television Theatre, episode Black Jim Hawk, originally aired October 31, 1956
Lux Video Theatre, episode A Place in the Sun, originally aired January 28, 1954
The Ford Television Theatre, episode Tomorrow's Men, originally aired October 29, 1953