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.
Acting on her celebrity, she appeared in calendars, posters and trading cards. Her image changed from high-fashion model to sex-symbol, and this brought about a supermodel pictorial and cover for Playboy Magazine.
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.
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.
Outspoken, beautiful and talented; Amber Smith will be a force to be reckoned with… in the new millennium.