SNOW TV NEWS DESK
American actress and former fashion model Toukie Smith, best known for her roles in the television series 227 and Miami Vice, has died at the age of 74 following a prolonged battle with multiple sclerosis.
Smith died in New York on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Her death was confirmed by her twin sons, Airyn and Julian, whom she shared with Hollywood actor Robert De Niro.
According to her children, the actress passed away after what they described as a “long, courageous battle” with the neurological condition.
Smith earned recognition in the entertainment industry through her acting career, particularly her appearance in NBC’s sitcom 227. She joined the show in 1989, initially appearing as a guest before securing the recurring role of Eva Rawley.
Born Dorris Smith in 1952, she adopted the name Toukie, a childhood nickname given to her by her grandmother. In a 1990 interview with the Los Angeles Times, she explained that the name came from a children’s record about an energetic little red fire engine, adding that it reflected her naturally lively personality.
Beyond acting, Smith built an impressive career in fashion modeling. She featured in advertising campaigns for renowned luxury fashion house Yves Saint Laurent and appeared in prominent publications, including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Ebony, and Redbook.
Her achievements in modeling included being named Bloomingdale’s first Model of the Year in 1978, marking an important milestone in her career.
Smith also attracted public attention through her relationship with De Niro, whom she began dating in 1988. The former couple welcomed twin boys, Julian and Airyn, through a surrogate after De Niro’s divorce from his first wife, Diahnne Abbott.
Their relationship reportedly experienced periods of separation and reconciliation before eventually ending in 1996.
Although Smith largely maintained a relatively private personal life, her contributions to television and fashion established her as a recognizable figure in American entertainment.
Her death marks the loss of a performer whose career spanned two influential industries, while her legacy will also live on through her children and the body of work she left behind.
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