Renald White — a soap opera star who broke barriers in the black modeling world — has died … according to a longtime friend.
fashion designer Jeffrey Banks disclose information to Women’s Wear Daily – a popular fashion magazine – shared the news on Friday that White died last week while receiving hospice care in Manhattan. He did not provide a cause of death.
White rose to fame through modeling in the 1970s… becoming the second black model to appear on the cover of GQ in 1979 – two years later Urs Altos.
Over the years, he modeled for some of the biggest designers and publications… including collaborations with Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Bill Blass, and appeared on the cover of Playboy in 1982.
In 1986, White began his foray into acting… playing William Reynolds in several episodes of Guiding Light. He has also made numerous television and film appearances over the years, most recently starring in the 2017 horror film Central Park.
Banks recalled in an Instagram post that Leno was “the perfect gentleman and a great ambassador for my brand. When I first introduced Leno to my mother, she immediately claimed him as my ‘brother.'” I Just hope so.
White’s funeral will be held next month in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey. He is 80 years old.
rest in peace