Known for her parts in movies like “Flashdance” and “Dirty Dancing,” Cynthia Rhodes is a former American actress, dancer, and singer. She made her acting debut in the romantic fantasy film “Xanadu” after being born in Nashville, Tennessee.
The late 1940s movie “Down to Earth” served as a major inspiration for Robert Greenwald’s film, which he also directed.
Rhodes rose to fame because of her role in the Sylvester Stallone-directed movie “Staying Alive.” She had a significant part in the movie.
Despite receiving strong criticism, the movie was a financial success. Additionally, it was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. She also appeared in the American romantic drama movies “Curse of the Crystal Eye” and “Flashdance.”
She was a conservative and religious woman who declined to play indecent characters or act in naked scenes, hence she did not feature in many movies during her career.
Rhodes has been in a number of music videos as a dancer. She formerly performed as a dancer for the rock group “The Tubes.” She also belonged to the pop group Animotion.
Cynthia Rhodes’s Date of Birth and Education
Cynthia Rhodes was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on November 21, 1956. Adrian Rhodes and Edna Rhodes were her parents. She attended Glencliff High School and was raised a Baptist.
Cynthia Rhodes’s Husband
Richard Marx, a popular American singer, and composer who has put out a total of twelve albums was briefly married to Cynthia Rhodes. Marx, who is seven years Rhodes’ junior, was just twenty years old when the two first met.
After two years, they began dating, and in January 1989, they were wed. Three kids were born to the couple. However, after 25 years of marriage, they ultimately got a divorce in 2014.
Cynthia Rhodes’s Career
Cynthia Rhodes previously performed as a singer and dancer at an American theme park before she began her acting career. In 1980, she made her acting debut in a supporting part in the romantic musical fantasy movie Xanadu.
Robert Greenwald served as the movie’s director. The movie received a lot of mixed reviews and didn’t fare well financially. The Ivor Novello Award for best film song was given to it, however.
She had a supporting part in “Flashdance,” an American drama released in 1983. Adrian Lyne directed the movie.
Despite receiving strong criticism from reviewers, the movie managed to earn more than $200 million on a $7 million budget, which surprised many people. Although it was planned, the sequel was never produced.
She had one of the lead parts in the 1983 movie “Staying Alive.” Sylvester Stallone, who also served as a co-writer and co-producer, directed the film. Despite having a $22 million budget, the movie made close to $65 million in box office receipts. But it received hard criticism.
She starred in the sci-fi movie “Runaway” the year after that. Michael Crichton wrote and directed the movie. It failed commercially and had mixed reviews from reviewers.
She had a supporting part in the 1987 Oscar-winning movie “Dirty Dancing.” The Emile Ardolino-directed movie had a massive box office haul, earning an incredible $214 million on a $6 million budget! The movie received Grammy, Golden Globe, and Oscar nominations.
She had an appearance in the 1991 movie “Curse of the Crystal Eye.” It was her last acting role in a movie.
She had a clean reputation throughout her acting career because of her upbringing in a religious household. She declined the number of screenplays that demanded naked poses from her. She declined invitations to appear in “Playboy” magazine pictorials as well.
Rhodes sang as a vocalist for the American rock group “Animotion.” She collaborated with them on the tracks “Calling it Love” and “Room to Move.”