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Originally from Tampa, Florida; Amber began to model professionally at the age of sixteen . She flew to Paris to work, compete, learn the trade, and hopefully survive the weeding out process inherent in modeling. She is quoted for saying: “In Europe it was sink or swim. I was broke, lonely, unable to communicate; and rejected on a daily basis.” For four years she traveled from country to country hoping for a breakthrough. The breakthrough came when she decided to dye her blonde hair red in order to capitalize on her resemblance to Rita Hayworth.
Her career skyrocketed! She appeared in back to back issues of the Sports Illustrated Swimwear Edition . She was chosen as Esquire’s first Vargas Girl of the 90’s, and launched the first Wonder Bra campaign The breakthrough came when she decided to dye her blonde hair red in order to capitalize on her resemblance to Rita Hayworth. Her career skyrocketed! She appeared in back to back issues of the Sports Illustrated Swimwear Edition .
She was chosen as Esquire’s first Vargas Girl of the 90’s, and launched the first Wonder Bra campaign. She received recognition with numerous covers and appearances in Max, Elle, Vogue and many others. The editorial coverage lead to advertising for L’ Oreal Cosmetics , Buffalo Jeans, and Panama Jack. She strolled down the catwalks for many designers, from Chanel to Jean Paul Gaultier.
Acting on her celebrity, she appeared in calendars, posters and trading cards (pictured to the right). Her image changed from high-fashion model to sex-symbol, and this brought about a supermodel pictorial and cover for Play.boy Magazine. She was then named one of the Sexiest Stars of 1995 and 1996 by Play.boy, Celebrity Sleuth, High Society and Celebrity Skin. Change was soon on the horizon. Amber starred in two European television specials: Inferno directed by Ellen Von Unwerth and the self-titled Forever Amber.
“I found my career in modeling becoming less fulfilling and I grew restless.” After being a finalist for the lead roles in The Mask and Casino, she decided to make the move to acting (full-time). Amber packed and moved from New York to Los Angeles to begin her second career all before the age of 25. But the beginners luck was over now. Quote “My first year in Hollywood was a virtual comedy of errors. I was told I was too tall, and too beautiful. I found myself being cast to play dead bodies and scantily clad bimbos. My savings dwindling, I still refuse to capitalize on my supermodel status and downplayed it to anyone who recognized me.”
Amber hired an agent and forged ahead. She knew she had talent, perseverance and desire. She landed her first role in Paul Mazursky’s Faithful. Finally, parts were forthcoming, and with some very good directors. She was cast in both The Funeral, directed by Abel Ferrara and Barbra Streisand’s The Mirror Has Two Faces. In 1997, Amber landed a high profile role in Howard Stern’s Private Parts and played the memorable part of Rita Hayworth in Curtis Hansen’s L.A. Confidential. These became two of the most critically acclaimed movies of the year. Later she would take a comedic turn in How to be a Player and filmed her first starring role in Laws of Deception, opposite James Russo.
1997 was also the year Amber discovered television, or vice versa. She guest starred on Friends, Head over Heels and Just Shoot Me. She successfully hosted an hour special of Access Hollywood and filmed an unusual episode of Red Shoe Diaries as a follow-up to her very popular first appearance. Amber didn’t forget her roots and after a two year hiatus; the modeling world called. She had landed the prestigious “Wolford” campaign shot by world famous photographer Helmut Newton.
This is due for a July 1998 release. And don’t miss “The Amber Smith 1999 Landmark Calendar” coming out this fall. Between movies, she auditions, studies her craft, and is currently writing a screenplay about the “objectification of beauty” and it’s consequences. As a hobby she created www.ambersmith.net, a fan club web site. So far 1998 has proven to be an exciting and eventful year. Starting it off, she has a glamorous role in HBO’s The Rat Pack. She can further be seen in Pam Anderson’s new show VIP premiering this Fall. In December, Laws of Deception will see the light of day via a World Premiere on HBO This summer found Amber on a promotional blitz. After an exhausting spin with uhh..Spinning, she had landed in the celebrity sections of TV Guide and People magazine. To follow, there were special segments that aired on Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition and E! Daily News, just to name a few. Amber may be living in the present, but Landmark is thinking about the future by producing four posters of her that will debut through the year 2000. Outspoken, beautiful and talented; Amber Smith will be a force to be reckoned with in the new millennium.
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