Cheryl Lynn "Rainbeaux" Smith (June 6, 1955 – October 25, 2002) was an American actress and musician who appeared in a number of mainstream features, exploitation and horror films throughout the 1970s and 1980s. She made her feature debut as lead in the major supernatural horror film Lemora (1973), followed by Caged Heat (1974), Massacre at Central High (1976), and Slumber Party ‘57 (1976) (Debra Winger's debut film). She had the title role in Michael Pataki's musical comedy Cinderella (1977).
Rainbeaux Smith | |
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![]() Smith in Revenge of the Cheerleaders (1976) | |
Born | Cheryl Lynn Smith (1955-06-06)June 6, 1955 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Died | October 25, 2002(2002-10-25) (aged 47) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Other names | Cheryl Rainbeaux Cheryl RX Smith Cheryl Rainbeaux Smith Rainbeaux Smith |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1971–1983 |
Agent | David-Rifkin Agency |
Smith was born in Los Angeles, California.[1] Her first film appearance was in the short The Birth of Aphrodite after a friend of her mother suggested her for the role. This led to supporting roles in other films, including the cult classic B-movies Caged Heat, Phantom of the Paradise, The Swinging Cheerleaders, Revenge of the Cheerleaders, The Pom-Pom Girls, The Incredible Melting Man, Laserblast and a cameo role in Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke. Perhaps her most striking role in a major release was in a violent bedroom scene opposite a near unknown Sylvester Stallone in the 1975 version of the Philip Marlowe classic Farewell, My Lovely, starring Robert Mitchum. Her starring debut was in the cult-horror film Lemora and her greatest success came as the titular character in Cinderella (1977).
An accomplished musician and artist, Smith was briefly associated with The Runaways during the production of the motion picture We're All Crazy Now, after Sandy West and Lita Ford quit the group in pre-production. An impromptu group was created on the spot, casting Smith through her counsel Stann Findelle and Runaways manager Toby Mamis. The group was fronted by Joan Jett with Smith on the drums as "Sandy". She briefly continued playing drums for Joan Jett after that band's breakup.[2]
Smith cut an album with a band known as the "L.A. Girls" as the drummer and lead singer. In 1980, Smith was among the performers who collaborated with record producer Jack Nitzsche on the original soundtrack for the William Friedkin film, Cruising.[3] Smith contributed a spoken-word performance of her song, "Sure" for producer and writer Harvey Kubernik's 1982 album, "Voices Of The Angels", which also featured performances by Charles Bukowski and Danny Sugerman.
She was once a Penthouse Pet of the Month.[citation needed] Smith maintained a modeling career and sat for noted photographers Ron Raffaelli and Jan Deen,[4] as well as commercial fashion photographers.
She had a relationship and lived with Glenn Willis, and lived with Ethan Margalith when he founded Starving Students Moving Company.[citation needed] Smith also had relationships with professional musicians Phil Lee, John Sterling (with whom she had a son, Justin), and Brett Smiley.
Cheryl Smith died in the early morning hours on October 25, 2002 of complications from liver disease and hepatitis after being addicted for two decades to heroin.[2]
Artist/Album | Year of release | Notes |
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Joan Jett (self titled) | 1980 | Backing vocals, credited as "Rainbow Smith" |
"Cruising" Original Soundtrack | 1980 | Drums, "When I Close My Eyes I See Blood" |
Joan Jett "Bad Reputation" | 1981 | Backing vocals, credited as "Rainbow Smith" |
Various Artists "Voices Of The Angels" | 1982 | |
Various Artists "The Sound Of Hollywood Girls" | 1983 | |
"Du Beat-E-O" Original Soundtrack | 1985 | |
Joan Jett "The First Sessions" | 2015 | Backing vocals |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1971 | Evel Knievel | Girl Buying Ticket At Rodeo | Uncredited |
1971 | The Birth of Aphrodite | Aphrodite | Credited as Cheryl Smith |
1973 | Lemora | Lila Lee | |
1974 | Caged Heat | Lavelle | |
1974 | The Swinging Cheerleaders | Andrea | |
1974 | Video Vixens | Twinkle Twat Girl | Alternative title: Black Socks |
1974 | Phantom of the Paradise | Groupie | |
1975 | Farewell, My Lovely | Doris | |
1976 | The Pom Pom Girls | Roxanne | Alternative title: Palisades High |
1976 | Revenge of the Cheerleaders | Heather | Alternative title: H.O.T.S. III |
1976 | Drum | Sophie Maxwell | |
1976 | Massacre at Central High | Mary | Alternative title: Blackboard Massacre |
1976 | Slumber Party '57 | Sherry | Alternative title: Teenage Slumber Party |
1976 | Logan's Run | Screamer Party Girl (Uncredited) | |
1976 | The Quest | Blonde Girl | Episode 14 - "The Seminole Negro Indian Scouts" |
1977 | Cinderella | Cinderella | Alternative title: The Other Cinderella |
1977 | Boogievision | Naked Hippie Girl On Motorcycle | Uncredited |
1977 | Game Show Models | Unknown | Uncredited |
1977 | The Incredible Melting Man | The Model | |
1977 | The Choirboys | Tammy | |
1977 | Fantasm Comes Again | Carol | Segment: "Double Feature" |
1978 | Laserblast | Kathy Farley | |
1978 | Up in Smoke | Laughing Lady | |
1979 | We're All Crazy Now | Runaways Drummer Sandy West (Rainbeaux) | |
1980 | Melvin and Howard | Patient Ronnie | |
1981 | The Choice | Chris | Television movie |
1981 | Nice Dreams | Blondie Group #1 | Credited as Cheryl RX Smith |
1982 | Hart to Hart | Woman | Episode: "Harts Under Glass" |
1982 | Vice Squad | White Prostitute | |
1982 | Parasite | Captive Girl | |
1982 | Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid | Veronica Lake | Uncredited |
1983 | Independence Day | Ginny | (final film role) |
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National libraries | |
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