Early Life
Derek was born Derek Delevan Harris in Hollywood, California, the son of actor and director Lawson Harris. His good looks quickly got him supporting roles, most notably as the son of Willie Stark played by Broderick Crawford in All the King's Men (1949), but he also enjoyed leads such as "Nick Romano" in Knock on Any Door (1949) opposite Humphrey Bogart (who told him, "You look great, but kid, that's not enough"), "Brock Mitchell" in Fury at Showdown, and as Robin Hood in Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950) with Alan Hale. He played Joshua in The Ten Commandments (1956).
He also was a film director. He directed his wives, Ursula Andress, in two movies, and Linda Evans in one. His best known films as a director are those he directed with his fourth wife, Bo Derek (she starred in four of his movies). The 1990 film Ghosts Can't Do It was his last film in the director's chair.
Read more about this topic: John Derek
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