Toukie Smith, the successful model and actress known for her role on the NBC sitcom 227 and her former relationship with Robert De Niro, has died. She was 74.
Smith died Wednesday at a hospital in New York following a long battle with multiple sclerosis, according to an announcement from her twins, Airyn and Julian, whom she shared with the Oscar-winning actor.
Her children described her illness as a “long, courageous battle,” as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Smith made her mark in the fashion industry during the 1970s, becoming a prominent model who worked with some of the biggest names in fashion.
Her portfolio included collaborations with designers Hubert de Givenchy, Thierry Mugler, Issey Miyake and Patrick Kelly.
She also worked with her brother, fashion designer Willi Smith, as well as illustrators Alvaro and Antonio Lopez and photographers Jean-Paul Goude and Guy Bourdin.
Beyond modeling, Smith pursued an acting career. She was best known for playing Eva Rawley on 227, the NBC sitcom starring Marla Gibbs.
The show followed the residents of an apartment building in Washington, D.C., and became a popular television comedy during its run.
Smith also became known to many through her relationship with De Niro. The pair were together from 1988 to 1996 and welcomed twins in October 1995 through a surrogate.
Their children, Airyn and Julian, have largely maintained private lives despite their connection to the Hollywood star. Airyn made headlines in 2025 when she publicly discussed her identity as a transgender woman.
Smith was also the sister of Willi Smith, the influential fashion designer who died in 1987 at age 39 from complications related to AIDS.
Throughout her career, Smith built a presence in both fashion and television, leaving behind a legacy that extended beyond her high-profile Hollywood relationship.
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