Celebrity Info
This Nashville native, Cynthia Rhodes, kicked off her professional journey in the early 1970s as a singer and dancer at Opryland, U.S.A. A striking blonde with undeniable charm, Cynthia Rhodes started gaining attention beyond the stage, gradually branching out into television while still performing at Opryland. Her transition to film began with ensemble dance roles in two high-profile but underperforming musicals—first in the fantastical “Xanadu” (1980), and then in Francis Ford Coppola’s ill-fated “One From the Heart” (1982).
Cynthia Rhodes’ career gained momentum with a minor but memorable part in the surprise box office hit “Flashdance” (1983). That same year, she stepped into the spotlight as one of the leading ladies opposite John Travolta in Sylvester Stallone’s “Staying Alive”—a follow-up to “Saturday Night Fever” that many considered unnecessary, yet still drew audiences.
Moving away from musicals, Cynthia Rhodes took on her first non-singing role as Tom Selleck’s co-star in the sci-fi thriller “Runaway” (1984), a film driven heavily by special effects. But perhaps her most iconic performance came in 1987, when she portrayed Patrick Swayze’s sultry dance partner in the beloved classic “Dirty Dancing.” Her character’s pregnancy sets the stage for Jennifer Grey’s rise, making Cynthia Rhodes’ role pivotal, if subtly so.
Since her marriage to singer Richard Marx in 1989, Cynthia Rhodes has largely stepped away from acting, leaving behind a modest yet memorable film legacy. While she hasn’t returned to the screen, her contributions during the ‘80s remain a notable chapter in pop cinema history. Cynthia Rhodes may have retired from Hollywood, but her performances continue to resonate with fans of that era.
So, when it comes to Cynthia Rhodes, her career has definitely had some standout moments. If we’re talking about the highest rated film in Cynthia Rhodes’ body of work, it’s got to be Dirty Dancing from 1987—that one really made a splash and remains a classic. People still talk about it today, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. Cynthia Rhodes brought such great energy to the role, and the movie just clicked with audiences and critics alike. On the flip side, looking at Cynthia Rhodes’ filmography, the lowest rated project tends to be Staying Alive, released back in 1983. While it had its moments, it didn’t quite live up to expectations the way Dirty Dancing did. Still, both films show different sides of Cynthia Rhodes’ talent during that era. Overall, Cynthia Rhodes definitely left her mark, especially with that ‘80s dance-movie vibe.
United States
