Stiff Of the Week-John Derek

Full Name:
John Derek
Original name: Delevan Harris

DOB/DOD:
Birth: Aug. 12, 1926
Death: May 22, 1998
Cause of death: Heart Failure
Burial:
Unknown

Claim To Fame:
was an American Actor, Director and Photographer.He most famous for the women to whom he was married.
His matinee-idol good looks quickly got him supporting roles, most notably as Broderick Crawford's son 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.

Perhaps Derek's most memorable film appearance was in a supporting role in the 1956 epic film, as the noble Joshua in The Ten Commandments.

Derek had a minor role as a film director. He directed his fourth wife, Bo Derek, in four movies. The 1990 film Ghosts Can't Do It was his last attempt in the director's chair. He also directed two hit music videos for Shania Twain, "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?" and "Any Man of Mine".

His last three wives seemed to be nearly identical in appearance, especially Linda Evans and Bo Derek. Derek took photos of all three, at different times, for Playboy magazine. He died from cardiovascular disease in Santa Maria, California at the age of 71.