The Exciting Life of 80s Icon Bo Derek

During production of Tarzan, the Ape Man, Bo worked closely with lions, chimpanzees, snakes, and other live animals. Many scenes placed her within direct reach of creatures whose movements could not be controlled as precisely as those of trained human performers.

Bo later recalled being bitten, squeezed, scratched, and placed in situations that created genuine fear. The risks went far beyond performing in uncomfortable costumes or difficult outdoor conditions. John wanted the animal footage to look convincing, so the cameras sometimes kept rolling when encounters became unpredictable. One scene with a lion would come frighteningly close to ending in tragedy.