Toukie Smith, a former runway model and actor best known for her role on the sitcom '227', has died at the age of 74. Smith passed away Wednesday after a long battle with multiple sclerosis, according to a statement from her twins, Airyn and Julian De Niro, provided to The Hollywood Reporter.
Smith is survived by her children, Airyn and Julian De Niro, born in October 1995 via in vitro fertilization and delivered by a surrogate mother. Smith shared her children with her former partner, actor Robert De Niro, whom she dated on and off from 1988 to 1996.
Smith began her career as a model in 1972, working with top designers including Hubert de Givenchy, Chanel, Issey Miyake, and Thierry Mugler. She was named 'Bloomingdale’s Favorite Model' in 1978. In addition to her modeling work, Smith appeared in television shows such as 'Miami Vice' and the sitcom '227', where she played the character Tina. After retiring from acting, she co-founded the Southern fine dining restaurant Toukie’s with De Niro in 1994 in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood.
Smith was born Doris Smith on September 25, 1952, in Philadelphia. She earned her nickname 'Toukie' from her grandmother, who gave her the name after a children’s record about a little red fire engine with lots of energy. Smith once described herself as 'round, Honey. I’m not angular,' reflecting her embrace of her full-figured physique. She also ran a catering business, Toukie’s Taste, which supplied food for events including a 'feast' for Sean Penn and Madonna’s wedding anniversary in the 1980s.
Smith’s brother was the late fashion designer Willi Smith, who pioneered the 'street couture' style with his brand WilliWear Ltd. She began her modeling career working for her brother, who died of complications from AIDS in 1987. Smith once said of her brother, 'Willi always had fun with fashion. He had a special energy and a love of keeping clothes from being too serious.'
In a statement, Smith’s twins described her as 'a force of nature' who 'left an indelible mark on our hearts and on everyone lucky enough to know her.'