Toukie Smith, Model and '227' Actress, Dies at 74
By Alexus Mosley
Photo Credit: Ron Galella
Toukie Smith, the trailblazing fashion model and actress best known for her role on the beloved NBC sitcom 227, has died at the age of 74. Smith died on Wednesday, November 4, at a New York hospital following a lengthy battle with multiple sclerosis. Her children, twins Airyn and Julian De Niro, confirmed her passing in a statement released on Monday, November 9.
Born Doris Smith in Philadelphia on September 25, 1952, Smith built a remarkable career that spanned fashion, television, and film. Before becoming a familiar face on television, Smith was making her mark in the fashion industry. After attending New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, she began modeling in 1972, initially working with her older brother, influential fashion designer Willi Smith.
She went on to work with some of fashion's most celebrated names, including Chanel, Givenchy, Thierry Mugler, and Issey Miyake. Her striking presence also landed her in major fashion publications, including Vogue, Ebony, and Cosmopolitan. In 1978, she was recognized as Bloomingdale's Model of the Year.
Her brother Willi, who died in 1987, was a pioneering designer whose WilliWear label helped redefine American fashion through its accessible, street-inspired approach to style. Together, the siblings contributed to a lasting legacy in fashion and Black American cultural history.
Smith transitioned into acting during the 1980s, appearing on Miami Vice before joining the cast of NBC's 227 in 1989. She portrayed Eva Rawley, an artist who moves into the apartment building at the center of the popular sitcom. The series, which starred Marla Gibbs, Jackée Harry, and Regina King, became a beloved fixture of Black television history.
Photo Credit: Ron Galella
Smith continued acting after 227, appearing in films including Talkin' Dirty After Dark (1991), I Like It Like That (1994), Joe's Apartment (1996), and The Preacher's Wife (1996). Beyond entertainment, Smith also explored the restaurant business, opening a namesake establishment in New York City during the 1990s.
Smith shared her twin children, Airyn and Julian, with actor Robert De Niro, whom she dated from 1988 to 1996. In announcing her passing, her children remembered their mother as a woman whose influence extended far beyond her own career. They described her as a force of nature and celebrated her contributions to a family legacy that helped shape American fashion and culture.
Smith is survived by her children and other family members. From the runways of the world's leading fashion houses to the television screens of millions of Americans, Toukie Smith leaves behind a legacy of beauty, creativity, and groundbreaking representation.