‘227’ star Toukie Smith, who shared two children with Robert De Niro, dies at 74
Toukie Smith, who was once in a relationship with Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro, made her mark on television and in fashion. Now, the model and actress has died at age 74 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis
Toukie Smith, who was once in a relationship with Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro, made her mark on television and in fashion. Now, the model and actress has died at age 74 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis
Toukie Smith’s twin children, Airyn and Julian, confirmed her passing. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, they said their mother died on November 4 at a hospital in New York following a “long, courageous battle” with multiple sclerosis.
“Toukie was a force of nature,” Airyn and Julian said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, adding that she left an unforgettable mark on their hearts and on everyone lucky enough to know her.
Born Doris Smith in Philadelphia on September 25, 1952, Smith would later become known as Toukie, a nickname she got from her grandmother.
After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York in 1972, she began her modeling career. It didn’t take long for her to become the talk of the town, and it opened up all kinds of possibilities.
She started working with some of the biggest names in fashion, including Hubert de Givenchy, Thierry Mugler and Issey Miyake. In 1978, she was named Bloomingdale’s Model of the Year
However, modeling was not the end of he road for Toukie Smith. Instead, she turned her attention to acting. She went on to appear in television series such as Miami Vice before landing the role of Eva Rawley in the NBC sitcom 227 in 1989.
Model and actress Toukie Smith dies at 74
Toukie Smith also made several big-screen appearances, including Talkin’ Dirty After Dark, I Like It Like That, and The Preacher’s Wife.
Toukie Smith, who was once in a relationship with Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro, made her mark on television and in fashion. Now, the model and actress has died at age 74 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis
Toukie Smith’s twin children, Airyn and Julian, confirmed her passing. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, they said their mother died on November 4 at a hospital in New York following a “long, courageous battle” with multiple sclerosis.
“Toukie was a force of nature,” Airyn and Julian said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, adding that she left an unforgettable mark on their hearts and on everyone lucky enough to know her.
Born Doris Smith in Philadelphia on September 25, 1952, Smith would later become known as Toukie, a nickname she got from her grandmother.
After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York in 1972, she began her modeling career. It didn’t take long for her to become the talk of the town, and it opened up all kinds of possibilities.
She started working with some of the biggest names in fashion, including Hubert de Givenchy, Thierry Mugler and Issey Miyake. In 1978, she was named Bloomingdale’s Model of the Year
However, modeling was not the end of he road for Toukie Smith. Instead, she turned her attention to acting. She went on to appear in television series such as Miami Vice before landing the role of Eva Rawley in the NBC sitcom 227 in 1989.
Model and actress Toukie Smith dies at 74
Toukie Smith also made several big-screen appearances, including Talkin’ Dirty After Dark, I Like It Like That, and The Preacher’s Wife.
Away from the spotlight, Smith also shared an important chapter of her life with Robert De Niro. The two began dating in 1988 and remained together until 1996. During their relationship, they welcomed twin children, Airyn and Julian, in October 1995 through a surrogate.
The couple largely kept their private life out of public view. In a 1990 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Smith explained why she valued keeping things that way.
“What’s great about a private life is it’s private,” she said.
Robert De Niro has not yet commented on Toukie’s passion.
We send our deepest condolences to Toukie Smith’s loved ones. Rest in peace