Bo Derek

 Director Blake Edwards had difficulty finding the right actress to play the pivotal role of bride Jenny in "10" (1979), and gave serious consideration to using his own daughter Jennifer Edwards, even filming a screen test of her. Kim Basinger, Christie Brinkley and Tanya Roberts were considered for the role. Once Bo Derek read for the part late in the process, all consideration of other actresses ended.

This was the first major film appearance for Derek in a main role, having previously had a small part in the movie "Orca" (1977). She was cast at the suggestion of then-husband John Derek, who had previously been married to both Linda Evans and Ursula Andress. Bo was twenty-two years of age when she appeared in this movie. She had been most well-known at the time for an erotic poster where she was seen at the beach kneeling in the surf, which had sold over half a million copies. When she auditioned for "10", Edwards recounted, "Her first words, when she came in to read for us, were: 'I'm sorry about wasting your time...' Meanwhile, [co-producer] Tony Adams and I were crossing our fingers and praying: 'Let her be able to act -- please let her be able to act!.'"

Derek's cornrow hairstyle took two women 10 hours to braid, and required the use of Elmer's glue to stay in place during filming.

Because of this movie, Ravel's "Bolero" remains one of the most expensive songs to use for film and TV; the rights cost more than $25,000. According to SACEM, the French equivalent of ASCAP, Ravel's estate earns more royalties than any other French composer.

Happy Birthday, Bo Derek!