Renn Woods

Renn Woods (born Ren Woods; January 1, 1958) is an American film, television and stage actress, vocalist and songwriter. She is best known for her role as Fanta in Roots, for her performance of "Aquarius" in the film version of Hair (1979) and as Edie in the TV series Beauty and the Beast (1987–1989). Woods was born in Chicago and raised in Portland, Oregon, where she attracted attention as part of Three Little Souls, a local musical trio she formed at age ten. The group subsequently became known as Sunday's Child, and toured internationally through Wood's adolescent years, appearing on television with such acts as Bob Hope. In adulthood, Woods transitioned into acting, starring as Fanta in Roots (1977), and the "Aquarius" soloist in Hair (1979). She also had a supporting role in the comedy The Jerk (1979). She also appeared onstage as Dorothy in the first national touring production of The Wiz, and as The Moon in a Los Angeles production of Caroline, or Change. Early life Woods was born in Chicago, Illinois, one of six children, and was raised in Portland, Oregon by her divorced mother, who was a nurse. Woods described her mother as a "politically conscious and very unusual woman." Woods and her siblings attended private Catholic schools in Portland. At age eight, Woods began singing in a trio with two friends in her neighborhood, performing as the Three Little Souls.