# Amber Smith

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Actress, model

For other uses, see [Amber Smith (disambiguation)](/source/Amber_Smith_(disambiguation)).

Amber Smith Smith at the Big Apple Summer Sizzler in Manhattan, June 13, 2009 Modeling information Height 5 ft 10.5 in (179 cm)[1]

**Amber Smith** is an American actress and former [model](/source/Model_(person)).

## Early life

Amber Smith is the daughter of Carol Smith.[2] During her 2008 and 2009 appearances on the reality television programs in which she sought treatment by Dr. [Drew Pinsky](/source/Drew_Pinsky) for addiction, she stated that both her father and mother had long histories with addiction.[3] In the third episode of *[Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew](/source/Sex_Rehab_with_Dr._Drew)*, she stated that her father died as a result of a drinking problem, and that while he was absent during much of her childhood, she was still devastated by his death.[4]

## Career

### Modeling

Smith started modeling by age 16. As a teenager she was represented by Irene Marie Models[5] in Miami Beach and traveled to Paris, France, where she worked as a model throughout Europe for four years. Her breakthrough came when her naturally blonde hair was dyed red, giving her a strong resemblance to 1940s and 1950s movie star [Rita Hayworth](/source/Rita_Hayworth).[6] Smith appeared in back-to-back issues of the 1993 & 1994 *[Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue](/source/Sports_Illustrated_Swimsuit_Issue)*, and became *[Esquire](/source/Esquire_(magazine))* magazine's first [Vargas Girl](/source/Alberto_Vargas) of the 1990s. She also became the first model of the [Wonderbra](/source/Wonderbra) campaign. She later posed for [photographer](/source/Photographer) [Helmut Newton](/source/Helmut_Newton) for a [Wolford](/source/Wolford) advertising campaign, and was the model for the 2002 lingerie campaign for Venus Victoria, the European sister company to [Victoria's Secret](/source/Victoria's_Secret).[7]

Smith has appeared on the covers of the [fashion magazines](/source/Fashion_magazine) and [women's magazines](/source/Women's_magazine) *[Vogue](/source/Vogue_(magazine))*, *[Elle](/source/Elle_magazine)*, *[Cosmopolitan](/source/Cosmopolitan_(magazine))*, *[Marie Claire](/source/Marie_Claire)*, *MAX* (Australian and French editions) and *YM*.[*[volume and issue needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources)*] She was the [cover girl](/source/Cover_girl) for the [March 1995 issue](/source/List_of_people_in_Playboy_1990%E2%80%931999) of *[Playboy](/source/Playboy)*. She was photographed by Clifford Wright for *[Maxim](/source/Maxim_(magazine))* and *[Ocean Drive](/source/Ocean_Drive_(magazine))*.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] She has appeared in [advertising](/source/Advertising) for [L'Oréal](/source/L'Or%C3%A9al) makeup, Buffalo Jeans, [Camel](/source/Camel_(cigarette)) cigarettes, [Kahlúa](/source/Kahl%C3%BAa) liqueur, [Volkswagen](/source/Volkswagen) automobiles, and [Panama Jack](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Panama_Jack&action=edit&redlink=1), among others, and has walked the runway for such fashion designers as [Chanel](/source/Chanel) and [Jean Paul Gaultier](/source/Jean_Paul_Gaultier).[8]

### Acting

Smith was cast in her first film role in [Paul Mazursky](/source/Paul_Mazursky)'s *[Faithful](/source/Faithful_(1996_film))*, on a referral from [Robert De Niro](/source/Robert_De_Niro) that stemmed from her *[Casino](/source/Casino_(1995_film))* auditions.[9] She also appeared in *[The Funeral](/source/The_Funeral_(1996_film))*, directed by [Abel Ferrara](/source/Abel_Ferrara), and [Barbra Streisand](/source/Barbra_Streisand)'s *[The Mirror Has Two Faces](/source/The_Mirror_Has_Two_Faces)*. She played Susan Lefferts, a [Rita Hayworth](/source/Rita_Hayworth) lookalike, in [Curtis Hanson](/source/Curtis_Hanson)'s *[L.A. Confidential](/source/L.A._Confidential_(film))*. Smith's resemblance to Hayworth came into play again with a role in [HBO](/source/HBO)'s cable [telefilm](/source/Telefilm) *[The Rat Pack](/source/The_Rat_Pack_(film))*. She also had a role in *[American Beauty](/source/American_Beauty_(1999_film))*. Her biggest role to date has been as the star of the [Cinemax](/source/Cinemax) TV series *Sin City Diaries*, which debuted in 2007. She played Angelica, a Las Vegas entertainment consultant who plans activities for casinos' high-roller guests.

### Reality television appearances

Smith appeared as a cast member during the second season of the [VH1](/source/VH1) television show *[Celebrity Rehab](/source/Celebrity_Rehab)*, which depicted her 16-year struggle with [opiate](/source/Opiate) and alcohol addiction.[10] She subsequently appeared in the 2009 series *[Sober House](/source/Celebrity_Rehab_Presents_Sober_House)*, a *Celebrity Rehab* spin-off focusing on a [sober living environment](/source/Sober_living_houses).[11] That same year, she appeared in the VH1 series *[Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew](/source/Sex_Rehab_with_Dr._Drew)*. During these appearances, she recounted hers and her mother's histories with addiction and [co-dependency](/source/Co-dependency), which began when Smith was a teenager,[12] and how her experiences with [date rape](/source/Date_rape) and [prostitution](/source/Prostitution) played a part in those addictions.

That same year, Smith and other alumni of *Celebrity Rehab* appeared as panel speakers to a new group of addicts at the Pasadena Recovery Center. Her appearance, which marked a year and a half of sobriety for her, was aired in the third-season episode "Triggers".[10]

## Personal life

In a January 2010 *[TV Guide](/source/TV_Guide)* story on *[Celebrity Rehab](/source/Celebrity_Rehab)*, Dr. [Drew Pinsky](/source/Drew_Pinsky) stated she was living with her mother in Los Angeles, and "doing stupendous work ... She's someone who reaches out and is an inspiration and of service to other patients."[13]

### Legal matters

Smith's name surfaced in connection with the January 2008 bankruptcy of the entertainment payroll firm Axium. A lawsuit alleged the company's partners misused funds by renting a [Los Angeles, California](/source/Los_Angeles%2C_California) apartment for Smith, paying for her car and issuing "numerous large payments" to Smith, which they explained by calling her a "consultant" to the company.[14][15]

## Filmography

Film Year Film Role Notes 1996 Faithful Debbie The Funeral Bridgette The Mirror Has Two Faces Felicia on video 1997 Laws of Deception Elise Talbot Lowball Paula Sleeping Together Cathy Red Shoe Diaries 7: Burning Up Alia Segment: "Runway" Private Parts Julie L.A. Confidential Susan Lefferts Def Jam's How to Be a Player Amber 1998 Mars Sheila 1999 American Beauty Christy Kane 2000 Deception Vanessa Rio The Midnight Hour Alex Alternative titles: In the Midnight Hour & Tell Me No Lies Dirk and Betty Beautiful Canyon Girl 2001 Reasonable Doubt Charlie Alternative titles: Crime Scene & The Baptist Tomcats Gorgeous Redhead How High Professor Garr 2002 New Suit Jennifer 2003 Dead End Lady in White Television Year Title Role Notes 1992 Inferno Television movie 1993–1995 Red Shoe Diaries The Model 2 episodes 1997 Head Over Heels Rachel 1 episode Friends Maria the Gym Lady Episode: "The One with the Ballroom Dancing" Just Shoot Me! Herself Episode: "Sweet Charity" 1998 The Rat Pack Broad at casino Television movie V.I.P. Davina Episode: "Beats Working at a Hot Dog Stand" Pacific Blue Diane Verne 1 episode 1999 Silk Stalkings Virginia 2 episodes 2007 Sin City Diaries Angelica 13 episodes 2010 Lingerie Giovanna 13 episodes

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["The Fashion Model Directory - Amber Smith Profile"](https://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/Amber_Smith/). *The Fashion Model Directory (FMD)*. Retrieved March 7, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** *[Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew](/source/Celebrity_Rehab_with_Dr._Drew)*. Season 2. Episode 6. October 30, 2008. [Vh1](/source/Vh1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Rochlin, Margy (November 3, 2008), "Paging Dr. Drew", *[TV Guide](/source/TV_Guide)*, p. 25

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** *[Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew](/source/Sex_Rehab_with_Dr._Drew)*. Season 1. Episode 3. November 15, 2009. [Vh1](/source/Vh1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Walls, Jeannette (27 September 1993). "Intelligencer". *[New York](/source/New_York_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Brennan, Sandra. ["Biography"](http://www.allrovi.com/search/people/Amber+Smith). allmovie.com. Retrieved December 13, 2011.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-askmen_7-0)** ["Amber Smith: Biography"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080912044451/http://www.askmen.com/celebs/women/models/12_amber_smith.html). askmen.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.askmen.com/celebs/women/models/12_amber_smith.html) on 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2008-10-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Amber Smith"](http://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/Amber_Smith). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081027210956/http://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/Amber_Smith) from the original on 27 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["*Celebrity Rehab 2* with Dr. Drew: Personalities"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081017093036/http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/Celebrity_rehab_2_with_dr_drew/series_characters.jhtml). vh1.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/Celebrity_rehab_2_with_dr_drew/series_characters.jhtml) on 17 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-18.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Triggers_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Triggers_10-1) [*Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew*](https://web.archive.org/web/20100215131451/http://www.vh1.com/video/celebrity-rehab-3/full-episodes/triggers/1631736/playlist.jhtml) Episode 3.6 ("Triggers") [VH1](/source/VH1); February 11, 2010

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Sober House Will Follow Celebrity Rehab Cast, Andy Dick in Sober Living](http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/celebrity_rehab/2008_Dec_19_sober_house_cast) Realityblurred.com, December 19, 2008

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Rochlin, Margy (November 3, 2008), "Paging Dr. Drew", *[TV Guide](/source/TV_Guide)*, p. 25

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Rochlin_13-0)** Rochlin, Margy (February 1, 2010), "Addicted to Rehab", *TV Guide*, pp. 34–35

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Christensen, Kim; Chang, Andrea (2008-02-27). ["Fast cars, loose cash figure in firm's demise"](https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-axium27feb27,1,3609000.story?page=1). *The L.A. Times*. Retrieved 2008-10-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Graser, Mark (2008-01-30). ["Anxiety over Axium exit"](https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117979918.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1). *Variety*. Retrieved 2008-10-18.

## External links

- [Amber Smith](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0807291/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Amber Smith](https://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/amber_smith/) at [Fashion Model Directory](/source/Fashion_Model_Directory)

Authority control databases International VIAF WorldCat National United States People Deutsche Synchronkartei

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Amber Smith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amber_Smith) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amber_Smith?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.