Renauld White, fashion model and soap opera actor, dies at 80

Renauld White was known for his work with brands like Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Yves Saint Laurent.

Renauld White, a legendary fashion model and soap opera actor, has died at the age of 80. According to his longtime friend and fashion designer Jeffrey Banks, White was under hospice care in New York's Lenox Hill Hospital when he passed away on June 26.

Banks, who shared the news on Instagram, remembered White as a "perfect gentleman" and a "great ambassador" for his brand. White was a pioneer in the fashion industry, breaking barriers for greater representation and diversity on designer runways. He worked with top designers, including Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Donna Karan, and appeared in campaigns for brands like Macy's and Black Tie cologne.
 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jeffrey Banks (@jeffreybanksdesign)

In addition to his modeling career, White also had a successful acting career, appearing on the soap opera "Guiding Light" from 1980 to 1982. Although he retired from acting and modeling, White briefly returned to the spotlight in 2023 for an ad campaign with Dolce & Gabbana.

Throughout his career, White was an advocate for greater representation in the fashion industry. In a 2011 interview, he recalled confronting the establishment to encourage more people of color to join the industry. "I wanted to bring about change. I really confronted the establishment about why there were not more Black male images," he said.