Soap Opera Star, Groundbreaking Model Renauld White Dies At 80

Renauld White attends the 3rd Annual Thurgood Marshall College Fund FRONT ROW fashion show in New York City on Oct. 25, 2008. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Renauld White, the soap actor and trailblazing model who broke barriers in the fashion industry, has died at 80 years of age.

His longtime friend, fashion designer Jeffrey Banks, confirmed the news in an Instagram post and to Women’s Wear Daily (WWD), saying Mr. White passed away on June 26.

While an official cause of death has not been revealed, Mr. White was under hospice care at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

In his tribute, Mr. Banks reflected on their personal and professional friendship, particularly when the two made headway in the fashion world.

“Modeling for me from the very start of my career Renauld was always the perfect gentleman and a great ambassador for my brand. When first introduced to my mother she claimed instantly that he was my ‘older brother.’ I only wished that was so,” he wrote.

“I shall miss our talks and times together, but will always remember the barriers you broke in the fashion industry and the love you shared as a trusted friend. Good night sweet Prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

A funeral is scheduled for July 12, at the Whigham Funeral Home in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, according to his obituary.

“His unique and captivating looks made him a favorite among photographers and designers alike,” reads the obituary. “With his striking features and impeccable poise, he became an icon for aspiring models across the nation.”

He is survived by his family and relatives who “all cherish the times spent with him and will miss him very much.”

Early Career

Born in 1944 in Newark, New Jersey, Mr. White was first introduced to fashion through his parents, who he acknowledged throughout his life had a great influence on his 30-year career.

He rose to prominence in the modeling industry in the 1960s, capturing the eyes of photographers and designers alike. Over the years, he worked the runway with the likes of Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Bill Blass, and modeled for Yves Saint Laurent, Armani, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and Versace.

In November 1979, he became the first African-American male model to appear on the cover of GQ magazine. He also urged his modeling agency at the time to hire more people of color for its projects.

“I wanted to bring about change. I really confronted the establishment about why there were not more black male images,” he told WWD in 2011.

“At first, I thought I was going to get thrown in jail and beaten up because of my approach. But then they realized that they were wrong and that they were behind society and behind the times, and that they had to listen to me.”

In the 1980s, Mr. White took a modeling hiatus and appeared on the daytime soap opera “Guiding Light” for two years.

His other acting credits include the television movie “Gun Hill (2014)” and the film “Central Park (2017)”. He also held other TV roles on “One Life to Live,“ “General Hospital,” “Inside Job,” and “The Stepford Wives.”

Further, Mr. White developed a love for the theater and worked on his acting at the La MaMa Experimental Theater in Manhattan, New York. He went on to appear in several off-Broadway plays such as “Antony and Cleopatra,” “Twelfth Night,” “Medea,” and “Obatala.”