BACKSTORY: From Wikipedia: John Derek (August 12, 1926 – May 22, 1998) was an American actor, director and photographer. 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 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. He played Joshua in "The Ten Commandment" (1956). He also was a film director, directing 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. He was first married to actress Pati Behrs, née Pati Behrs Eristoff (February 13, 1922 — July 10, 2004). Behrs was a Russian-born American actress, a grandniece of Leo Tolstoy. She was married to Derek from 1951-57. They had two children, Russell and Sean Catherine Derek. John Derek took photos of all three of his subsequent wives (at different times) for Playboy magazine. He died from cardiovascular disease in Santa Maria, California at the age of 71.
NOTE: Many of the 1953 "Prince of Pirates" photos were taken at the Columbia Ranch in Burbank. For a great website with more information about The Ranch, click here.
