Toukie Smith, the supermodel-turned-actress known for NBC's 227 and the mother of Robert De Niro's twin sons, has died at 74. Her sons, Airyn and Julian, announced that she died after a "long, courageous battle" with multiple sclerosis.
Smith died Wednesday, Nov. 4, at a New York hospital, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Born Doris Smith in Philadelphia, she began modeling in 1972 and worked with fashion houses including Givenchy, Thierry Mugler, Issey Miyake and Yves Saint Laurent. Bloomingdale's named her Model of the Year in 1978.
She later moved into acting, appearing on Miami Vice before landing the role of artist Eva Rawley on 227 in 1989. She stayed with the series through its 1990 finale, alongside Marla Gibbs, Regina King and Jackée Harry.
Her film credits included Talkin' Dirty After Dark, I Like It Like That, Joe's Apartment and The Preacher's Wife, the 1996 faith-centered holiday film starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston. She also opened a namesake restaurant in New York City during the 1990s.
Smith and De Niro were together from 1988 to 1996.
Her death comes four months after fellow 227 star Hal Williams died at 91, leaving fans of the groundbreaking sitcom mourning twice in one year.
For viewers who grew up with 227 and later spotted her in a Christmas-season classic, Smith leaves behind a career that moved from the runway to the screen, and a family that called her fight courageous.
