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 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).

Career

Smith was born in Los Angeles, California. 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.

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. 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. Smith maintained a modeling career and sat for noted photographers Ron Raffaelli and Jan Deen, 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. 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.

Discography

Artist/Album	Year of release	Notes
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

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
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)

External links

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