Bo Derek
It's been more than 35 years since Bo Derek became an international sex symbol, in the 1979 comedy, "10."
Today, at 58, Derek is still a 10, but says there is some relief in caring a little less about her looks. "I realize how artificial it is, beauty," she told CBS News' Ben Tracy. "I realize that it doesn't last forever, that's for damn sure."
"But when you're so well-known for how you look, is aging hard?" he asked.
"Aging is really hard," she said. "Man, when it starts really happening to you, it's opposite of what you imagine. It's all the worst parts. And it's tough. Bette Davis was right; it's not for sissies, it really isn't!"
Left: Bo Derek attends the Longines Los Angeles Masters at Los Angeles Convention Center on September 26, 2014 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Bo Derek
This summer the onetime pop culture phenomenon joins another, when Bo Derek appears in the Syfy Channel's "Sharknado 3."
"So, what was it like jumping back into acting?" asked CBS News' Ben Tracy.
"It wasn't really acting," she laughed.
"This was not Shakespeare in the Park?"
"No, this was 'Okay, look over your left shoulder. There's a shark coming!'" Derek said.
"Fantasies"
Born Mary Cathleen Collins in 1956, she grew up in Long Beach, the picture of a California girl. She was just 16 when she met photographer and director John Derek. He was three decades older, and married to actress Linda Evans. That did not stop Bo and John from running away together.
"My mom went ballistic," Bo said. "She went crazy. But you know, when you are 17, you think you know everything. You think you have it together."
While in Europe, John Derek directed Bo in an erotic film shot on an island in Greece. Originally titled "And Once Upon a Time," it went unreleased until after Bo became an international star in "10."
"10"
After having her leg chomped by a killer whale in the horror film "Orca," Bo Derek was chosen by director Blake Edwards to star in his 1979 comedy "10," starring Dudley Moore and Julie Andrews.
Moore played a middle-aged man whose relationship with Andrews is jeopardized when he becomes obsessed with a stunning young newlywed (Derek), and follows her to Mexico.
"10"
Dudley Moore and Bo Derek in Blake Edwards' "10," in which she played a woman Moore rates, on a scale of 1-10, as an 11.
"10"
The film made Bo Derek an international sex symbol, and she received a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year. But the films that followed were not as successful, commercially or critically.
"A Change of Seasons"
Bo Derek's followup to "10" was the romantic comedy-drama "A Change of Seasons" (1980), as a student who takes up with a married professor (Anthony Hopkins).
John & Bo Derek
John Derek photographed with wife Bo Derek.
Tracy asked Bo, "Why do you think that marriage worked?"
"Why does any marriage work?" Derek said. "First, I think, for me our marriage worked because I loved him, he loved me. Although he was 46, he was still growing, too. I think we took it day-to-day. I don't think we expected it to last, either. And it did."
It lasted for 22 years, until John Derek died from a heart attack in 1998. The two never had children, but he was her partner in life, and business.
"Tarzan, the Ape Man"
John Derek directed Bo again in the 1981 "Tarzan, the Ape Man," featuring Miles O'Keeffe.
"Tarzan, the Ape Man"
Miles O'Keeffe and Bo Derek share an idyllic moment away from all that jungle in "Tarzan, the Ape Man."
"Tarzan, the Ape Man"
A publicity shot for "Tarzan, the Ape Man."
"Bolero"
Given the skyrocketing popularity of Ravel's "Bolero" thanks to its inclusion during Bo Derek's romantic scene with Dudley Moore in "10," it wasn't long before she starred in a film titled "Bolero" (1984), about a young woman's sexual awakening. Directed by John Derek, it also featured Bo riding horses, not always while wearing clothes.
"Bolero"
John Derek on the set of "Bolero" with his wife, Bo Derek.
"Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place"
Bo Derek had a recurring role in the sitcom, "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place."
National Veterans Wheelchair Games
Actress Bo Derek meets disabled eight-year-old Maxwell Brown at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games July 4, 2001 in New York City. Derek was the honorary chairperson of the games.
"Malibu's Most Wanted"
A U.S. Senator and his wife (Ryan O'Neal and Bo Derek) encounters some unpleasantries on the campaign trail in the comedy "Malibu's Most Wanted" (2003).
Washington, D.C.
Actress Bo Derek arrives at the 27th Annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts December 5, 2004 in Washington, D.C.
National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic
U.S. Army veteran Greg Reynolds learns surfing as actress Bo Derek supports him during the 2nd National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic in San Diego, Calif., September 25, 2009. Reynolds lost his left arm and shoulder in Iraq.
In addition to serving as a national honorary chairperson for Veterans Affairs' National Rehabilitation Special Events, Derek is also active in wildlife conservation organizations, and was for seven years on California's Horse Racing Board (most recently as vice chair).
Madrid
Actress Bo Derek attends a charity auction at Casino de Madrid on November 23, 2010 in Madrid, Spain.
Beverly Hills
Actress Bo Derek attends the International Women's Media Foundation's 2013 Courage in Journalism Awards at the Beverly Hills Hotel on October 29, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California.
Los Angeles
Actress Bo Derek arrives at the Longines Los Angeles Masters at Los Angeles Convention Center on September 26, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
For the full CBS News interview:
Bo Derek: Aging is not for sissies
For more info:
Follow@BoDerekon Twitter
"Sharknado 3"on Syfy July 22
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan