Toukie Smith, the celebrated model and actress best known for her role on the hit NBC sitcom 227 and her longtime relationship with Hollywood legend Robert De Niro, has died at 74 following a prolonged battle with multiple sclerosis.
Smith died Wednesday, November 4, at a New York hospital, her twin children, Airyn and Julian De Niro, confirmed in a statement released Monday.
The twins, whom Smith shared with the Oscar-winning actor, described their mother’s illness as a “long, courageous battle,” bringing heartbreaking news to fans who remembered her from television and the fashion world.
Smith’s death marks the loss of a trailblazing entertainer who built a successful career long before her relationship with one of Hollywood’s biggest stars brought her additional public attention.
Born Doris Smith in Philadelphia in 1952, she developed an interest in fashion at an early age and went on to study at New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology.
She began modeling professionally in 1972, quickly gaining recognition for her striking appearance and commanding runway presence.
During the 1970s, Smith became a sought-after model, working with legendary designers including Hubert de Givenchy, Thierry Mugler, Issey Miyake and Patrick Kelly.
Her photographs appeared in major fashion publications, including Vogue, Ebony and Cosmopolitan, and she was named Bloomingdale’s Model of the Year in 1978.
Smith also worked closely with her brother, groundbreaking fashion designer Willi Smith, whose influential WilliWear label helped redefine casual American fashion.
Tragically, her brother died in 1987 at just 39 years old from complications related to AIDS, leaving a profound loss in the fashion community.
By the late 1980s, Toukie had begun expanding her career into acting.
After appearing on Miami Vice, she landed her best-known television role as Eva Rawley on 227, the popular NBC comedy starring Marla Gibbs and Regina King.
The sitcom, which aired from 1985 to 1990, followed the lives of residents living in a Washington, D.C., apartment building and became a favorite among American television audiences.
Smith joined the show in 1989, portraying an artist who moved into the building and became part of its close-knit community.
Her performance introduced her to millions of viewers and helped establish her presence beyond the fashion industry.
She later appeared in several films, including Talkin’ Dirty After Dark, I Like It Like That, Joe’s Apartment and The Preacher’s Wife, the 1996 holiday drama starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington.
Smith also pursued business ventures outside entertainment, including operating a restaurant in New York City.
While her professional accomplishments were considerable, her personal life attracted widespread attention when she began dating Robert De Niro in 1988.
The couple remained together for approximately eight years and welcomed twins, Airyn and Julian, through a surrogate in October 1995.
Although their relationship ended in 1996, they continued sharing a connection through their children.
Smith largely kept her family life private, raising her twins away from the intense Hollywood spotlight despite their famous father.
Her daughter Airyn later spoke publicly about the influence her mother had on her life, crediting the strong Black women who helped shape her identity and confidence.
Throughout her career, Smith remained a distinctive figure in American entertainment, successfully transitioning from high-fashion runways to network television during an era when opportunities for Black women in both industries were often limited.
Her death comes as another painful loss for the entertainment and fashion communities, particularly for those who remember her groundbreaking work and her memorable performances on television.
While many knew her as Robert De Niro’s former partner, Smith built a legacy entirely her own through decades of modeling, acting and creative achievement.
She is survived by her twins, Airyn and Julian.