John Derek

AKA:
Derek Delevan Harris
Nationality:
American
Birthdate:
08/12/1926
Birthplace:
Hollywood, California
Death Date:
05/22/1998
biography
The son of writer-director Lawson Harris and actress Dolores Johnson, John Derek won notice with his first major role as a juvenile delinquent in Nicholas Ray's social drama, "Knock on Any Door" (1949) and as politician Willie Stark's troubled son in "All the King's Men" (1950). Although he traded on his good looks playing dashing leads in a succession of action films and costume dramas in the 1950s (including 1956's "The Ten Commandments"), he gradually turned from acting to still photography. By the mid-60s, Derek had moved into producing and directing features which generally received a Continued
Credits
milestones
Year
Milestone
1944 
First screen appearance (as extra), "Since You Went Away"
1945 
Screen acting debut in "I'll Be Seeing You"
1949 
First major acting role in "Knock on Any Door"
1956 
Appeared in "The Ten Commandments"
1960 
Co-starred in "Exodux"
1965 
First film as producer, "Nightmare in the Sun"
Continued