Actor and model Renauld White , who broke racial barriers as the second Black model to appear on the cover of GQ, and spent two years starring on the soap opera “ Guiding Light, ” died on June 26 at age 80. The star had been in hospice care at Lennox Hill Hospital in Manhattan at the time of his death. White’s friend, fashion designer Jeffrey Banks, shared the sad news with Women’s Wear Daily , but additional information regarding White’s cause of death has yet to be revealed.
Throughout his historic career, White pushed for greater representation in the fashion industry. In November 1979, White became the second Black model to appear on the cover of GQ, following Urs Althaus’ cover in 1977. White worked with many top designers including Bill Blass , Calvin Klein , Ralph Lauren and Donna Karen .
Banks described White as a “groundbreaker” to Women’s Wear Daily. “There were very few Black models at the time. He really broke barriers.
When they had a party for him in Newark for his 50-year anniversary in the fashion industry, he was very proud of the progress and how he opened the doors for other people,” he shared. The two were first introduced in 1971 at a fitting for Ralph Lauren, where Banks worked. “He was the perfect gentleman.
He was kind and he was helpful. I think that’s why his death has been such a shock to people, because he was such a good person,” Banks said. Back in 1987, in an interview with The Morning Call, White said his love of fas.