Renauld White, a groundbreaking model who was the first Black man to appear on the cover of GQ, has died. He was 80. White died Friday after being in hospice care at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
Fashion designer and longtime friend Jeffrey Banks confirmed the news via Instagram with a post dedicated to their friendship and collaborative work. “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,” agency owner and founder Ray Volant said in a statement to The Times.
“Renauld’s passion and perseverance was an inspiration for many. He helped young models find their place in the industry. He was one of a kind.
” Volant told The Times via email that he was proud to have worked with White over the years. White was born Feb. 1, 1944, in Newark, N.
J., to Maybelline Scott White — a hat model — and Robert White Sr. He would go on to appear prominently in magazines including Essence, Ebony and Jet, and notably became the first Black male model featured on the cover of men’s magazine GQ, according to an obituary published by Whigham Funeral Home.
He was the first Black male model to endorse a mainstream men’s hair product, Vitalis Hair Tonic. His talents extended to television with roles in “One Life to Live,” “General Hospital” and “Inside Job.” IMDb credits him with a role in seven episodes of t.