Rex Smith
Rex Smith (born September 19 1955, in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American actor and singer.
Music Career
During the 1970s, Smith was popular as a teen idol. Because of his good looks, he was featured regularly in 16 magazine and Tiger Beat. In 1979, he had a hit single "You Take My Breath Away", which reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is on the platinum-selling album Sooner or Later, which is named for a made-for-television movie in which he starred. This song was co-written by one of Smith's brothers. For many years, it was a staple on the playlists of FM radio stations with a soft rock or "lite" format.
Smith, in an attempt to achieve credibility as a rock star, recorded several albums throughout the early 1980s, but none of them achieved the popularity of "Sooner Or Later". Smith received some harsh review from music critics. In the 1983 edition of the Rolling Stone Record Guide all of his albums were rated as "worthless". Yet, Smith does still maintain a modest fan base in the United States and in the Phillippines[1].
His last album was released in 2000 and entitled SIMPLY...REX. It was re-released in 2006 and re-titled "You Take My Breath Away."
Television Career
Smith is best known for his role in the short-running 1985 television series Street Hawk, but he has also made guest appearances on a variety of television shows, such as Baywatch, Caroline In The City, and JAG, and has been a celebrity spokesperson for a number of corporate entities.
In 1982, Smith replaced Andy Gibb as a host on the music variety show, "Solid Gold."
In 1989, Smith played Daredevil a.k.a. Matt Murdock in the television movie The Trial of the Incredible Hulk. This was viewed as a potential pilot for an ongoing Daredevil television series.
From 1990 through 1992, Smith was a contract player on the CBS daytime drama "As The World Turns" in the role of Darryl Crawford.
Stage Career
In 1978, he made his Broadway debut in the musical Grease in the lead role of Danny Zuko.
Smith also starred as Frederick in the New York Shakespeare Festival's Central Park production of The Pirates of Penzance alongside Kevin Kline as the Pirate King and Linda Ronstadt as Mabel. All three reprised their roles for the 1983 film adaptation. In 1981, Smith won the Theatre World Award for his role in "Pirates Of Penzance."
Smith also starred as Fred Graham/Petruchio in the 2001-2002 National Broadway Tour of Kiss Me, Kate. He took over the role of Pirate King in the Bellflower Civic Auditorium's 2005 production of Pirates.
Smith has also appeared in other Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, including the Scarlet Pimpernel, Grand Hotel and Sunset Boulevard.
Personal Life
Rex Smith is the youngest of four brothers, all of whom have careers in the music industry. P aul Evan (Evan) is a road manager, Michael was the lead singer in the band Starz, Webster is a pianist.
Smith's first marriage ended in divorce in 1995. He has been married to his manager Courtney Schrage Smith since 1998. He has two daughters and a son.
In addition to pursuing an acting career, Smith also sells real estate.
Filmography
- Pope Dreams .... Don
- Richie Rich's Christmas Wish .... Rudy
- Passion To Kill .... Ted
- The Trial of the Incredible Hulk .... Matt Murdock/Daredevil
- Ballerina And The Blues .... Lead
- The Pirates of Penzance .... Frederick
- Heading For Broadway .... Fast Eddie
- Sooner or Later ....Michael Skye
Discography
- Rex [?]
- Where Do We Go From Here? [1978]
- Sooner or Later [1979]
- Forever [1980]
- Everlasting Love [1981]]
- Simply ... Rex [?]