Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Former Hollywood movie star appeared in films “10” in 1979, “Tarzan The Ape Man” in 1981 and “Bolero” in 1984.
DOB: November 12, 1956 In: Long Beach, CA
Hobbies/Interests: Horses, horses and horses. Travel in connection… I’ve done horse rescue and horse welfare. I’m just a girl who was born horse crazy [smiles].
First Job: Busboy and working the fryer at The Fish Shanty on the pier at Long Beach (age 15).
First Car: 1964 pink Ford Falcon convertible.
Childhood Dream: Oceanographer. My father (Paul Collins) loved the ocean. He had a dive boat. I loved the ocean and wanted to work with mammals. But the school aspect was something I wasn’t thrilled about. Life took a different turn when I met John (Derek). We went off and made a film (Once Upon A Love) and never looked back.
Favorite Movies: Analyze This. Dr. Strangelove. Paul Mazursky’s The Tempest. Apocalypse Now. Hearts Of Darkness.
All-Time Favorite TV Show: All In The Family [smiles].
Funny Career Memory: I have so many. A silly one was when I filmed in third world countries. One weird one was we were filming Tarzan in Sri Lanka, which is quite primitive. There wasn’t a film filmed there in thirty years, since Bridge On The River Kwai. We hired a brilliant man to be a gorilla in a gorilla suit. He had done that popular Samsonite TV commercial. He was known for having studied the gorilla’s movements so well. We brought him over at great expense. We filmed a scene where I had gotten wet… Jane was always falling into something. I think a boa constrictor was trying to suffocate me. So we asked him to do the scene as the gorilla. He was already on location for a month. And he said, I can’t be in a movie like that. I had gotten wet and had a see-through costume on. He was absolutely serious when he said he wouldn’t put his ape in a movie like that [smiles].
Greatest Career Moment: Haven’t had it yet. I don’t know yet. I really haven’t taken my career seriously before. I think when I feel I’ve done my best work all the way through, it will be my best moment.
Most Painful Moment: The criticism of my career never bothered me. When the criticism of John got personal, the personal attacks, that was painful. Unfair. They didn’t know us. People not knowing us making vicious, personal attacks… that hurt.
Favorite Meal: Arabic food at some friend’s house.
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Total with raisins. I had it this morning [smiles].
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Vanilla.
Musical Tastes: Varied. I only don’t care much for country. I like rock ‘n roll, The Beatles, Elton John, Matchbox 20 – knowing them has something to do with it. Some classical. Like most people. I like Mozart.
Last Books Read: Men To Watch My Mountain by Irving Stone. River God by Wilbur Smith.
Favorite Vacation Spot: South of Spain. I have friends who have a ranch there. I like spending time with them and riding horses there.
People Qualities Most Admired: I like courageous people. Not physical feat courageous. I’ve discovered I like people who go against the grain. It’s much easier to conform. I’ve been lucky to meet many of my heroes, who put everything on the line and who do what they believe is right. I’m attracted to their bravery.
