Introduction
Pati Behrs (February 13, 1922 – July 4, 2004) was a Turkish-born prima ballerina and actress.
Biography
Pati Behrs Eristoff was a prima ballerina and a grandniece of Leo Tolstoy. She may be best known as the first of John Derek's wives. Born in Russia, her family fled to Paris after her father refused to partake in pogroms. She survived World War II and Occupied France by dancing in Parisian nightclubs, while at the same time doing all she could to hide Russian Jews and gypsies from the Nazis.
Receiving a Hollywood contract after the war, she emigrated to the United States where she met and married actor John Derek and had two children, Russell (now deceased) and Sean Catherine Derek (who became a screenwriter). She later married pediatrician Dr. Lucius Lindley, who predeceased her. She died on July 4, 2004, aged 82.
Philosophical and/or political views
An animal-rights advocate, she presented Actors and Others with her 1926 Steinway baby grand piano. Her daughter, Sean, requested it be sold to help as many animals in need as possible.