Rainbeaux Smith

Rainbeaux Smith
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

Cheryl Lynn "Rainbeaux" Smith (June 6, 1955 – October 25, 2002) was an American actress and musician who appeared in a number of exploitation and horror films throughout the 1970s and 1980s. She made her feature debut in the supernatural horror film Lemora (1973), followed by Caged Heat (1974) and Massacre at Central High (1976). She had the leading title role in Michael Pataki's musical comedy Cinderella (1977).

Career[]

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 Phillip 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 .^{[citation needed]} Smith also had relationships with professional musicians Phil Lee, John Sterling (with whom she had a son, Justin), and Brett Smiley

Death[]

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]

Filmography[]

References[]

External links[]

• Rainbeaux Smith at IMDb
• Rainbeaux Smith at Find a Grave