Early life and film career. Darby was born Deborah Zerby in Los Angeles, the daughter of professional dancers Inga (Wiere) and Jon Zerby (the “Dancing Zerbys” or “Dancing Zerbies”).Her father nicknamed her Derby saying “I thought Derby Zerby would be a great stage name”. Her mother was from Budapest. Her mother’s siblings were comedians who performed as the Wiere Brothers.

