'Guiding Light' actor and model Renauld White dies at 80
Model and "Guiding Light" actor Renauld White has reportedly died at 80.
His modeling agency, Bella Agency, confirmed the death, calling White "one of a kind."
"We were so honored to have represented Renauld at Bella Agency New York over the past 10 years. He will be truly missed in the fashion world but not forgotten for all the trailblazing moments he accomplished," Bella Agency founder Ray Volant said in a statement to USA TODAY Tuesday. "Renauld's passion and perseverance was an inspiration for many. He helped young models find their place in the industry."
The soap opera actor was in hospice care at Lenox Hill Hospital, friend and designer Jeffrey Banks told Women's Wear Daily. White died on June 26, according to CNN, but the cause of death is not known, the outlets report.
White starred as William Reynolds on "Guiding Light" across seven episodes, from 1986 to 1992, according to IMDb. His other acting credits include the TV movie "Gun Hill" as a Baptist minister and the 2017 horror thriller "Central Park" as Christian Lincoln Smith Jr.
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The groundbreaking model also made an appearance on Andy Warhol's short-lived TV series "Fashion" in 1979.
An obituary from Whigham Funeral Home, published on Saturday, said White "left a mark on the fashion world that can never be forgotten." The obituary noted he graced the covers of Essence, Ebony and Jet, and was the first Black man to cover GQ.
Though not listed on his IMDb page, the obituary lists the New Jersey native's additional TV credits on "One Life to Live," "General Hospital," "Inside Job" and "The Stepford Wives." The biography also added "activist" and "martial artist" to his long resume.
"Rest in peace, Renauld White your legacy as a trailblazer and visionary will forever live on. Your contribution to the fashion industry will continue to inspire and empower future generations of models," reads the obituary. "Your unique style, talent, and passion will be sorely missed, but your influence will continue to shape the industry for years to come."
