From 1970 to 1972, he studied photography and graphic design at the Kunstacademie in Enschede, followed by two years of Kleinkunstacademie in Amsterdam: "Each morning we began with ballet.

"[citation needed] In 1975 Derek de Lint made his theatre debut as Rik Vandaele with Thuis from Belgian Hugo Claus: "Really I will make something with cabaret.

In the following season Derek de Lint played Brad Majors in the production of The Rocky Horror Show directed by O'Brien: "I have received such good criticism, Paul Verhoeven and Ineke van Weezel, who had seen Thuis as well, set eyes on me.

After Soldier of Orange Derek de Lint has played in some movies and TV series, including the leading role in Kort Amerikaans, where he was a cynical young boy, whose sexually explosive character can not satisfy any women.

A few days later I received a note from Hans Kemna, Paul's assistant, that publicity of Kort Amerikaans cuts across their film and they refuse further cooperation.

At last Derek de Lint was presented success with two of the best Dutch films to emerge during the 1980s: Rudolph van den Berg's Bastille (1984) and Fons Rademakers' The Assault (1986).

From 1987 to 1989, Derek de Lint has appeared in twelve American and European films and TV series, including Mascara (1987) with Charlotte Rampling and Philip Kaufman's The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988) with Daniel Day-Lewis, Juliette Binoche, and Lena Olin.

On television Derek de Lint provided a love interest for Dana Delany on ABC's China Beach as Dr. Bernard.

Also he has starred as Russian KGB officer Abramov in The Endless Game (1989), a spy thriller, which was directed by Bryan Forbes from his best-selling novel; and Bertrand de Roujay in a tremendous six-part drama, The Free Frenchman (1989), a story about a brilliant French aristocrat who played a part in the Resistance struggle to free France from the Nazis.