Tyson Beckford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tyson Beckford
Beckford at FashionWeekLive in San Francisco, 2007
Born	(1970-12-19) December 19, 1970 (age 54) Rochester, New York, US
Children	1
Modeling information
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Hair color	Black
Eye color	Brown

Tyson Beckford (born December 19, 1970) is a famous Jamaican-American model and actor. He is best known for being a top model for Ralph Lauren Polo. He also hosted the TV show Make Me a Supermodel on Bravo. Many people consider Tyson Beckford one of the most successful black male supermodels ever. He became as famous and earned as much as the top female models in the 1990s.

Early Life and Growing Up

Tyson Beckford was born in The Bronx, New York City, on December 19, 1970. His mother was from Jamaica and his father was from Panama, with Jamaican and Chinese-Jamaican roots.

Soon after he was born, his family moved back to Jamaica. They lived there for seven years. Then, they moved to Rochester, New York. Tyson went to Pittsford Mendon High School and graduated there. When he was in school, other kids sometimes made fun of him because of how he looked.

How Tyson Beckford Became a Model

In 1992, someone named Erik Lauren Counsel from The Source magazine saw Tyson. This magazine was about hip hop culture. Erik asked Tyson if he wanted to be in a fashion story for the magazine. Tyson later said that Erik was the person who really helped him start his career.

In 1993, a famous designer named Ralph Lauren chose Tyson. Tyson became the main model for Ralph Lauren's Polo clothing line for men.

Early photo of Beckford for Ralph Lauren Corporation by Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca

In 1995, the music TV channel VH1 named Tyson "Man of the Year." People magazine also named him one of the "50 Most Beautiful People in the World." Today, he works with modeling agencies like Soul Artist Management in New York City.

Tyson Beckford on TV

Tyson Beckford has appeared on many TV shows. In 2003, he was on the reality show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. He also supported the National RESPECT! Campaign in 2008. This campaign works against domestic violence. He recorded a message about how important it is to respect others.

Tyson co-hosted a modeling competition called Make Me a Supermodel on the Bravo TV channel. He hosted it with another supermodel, Niki Taylor. For the second season, Nicole Trunfio joined Tyson as a mentor for the young models.

He also helped judge and mentor contestants on the Australian version of Make Me a Supermodel. He worked with model and former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins on that show. In 2012, he was on Fox's dating game show The Choice. He was also a judge on the British version of America's Next Top Model.

Tyson Beckford's Life

On June 6, 2005, Tyson was in a car accident in Secaucus, New Jersey. His truck hit a pole and caught fire. He was taken to the hospital for head injuries and cuts.

Later, on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Tyson shared that the accident changed his outlook on life.

Tyson has lived in New Jersey towns like Edgewater and West New York.

He has a son, born in 1998, with stylist April Roomet. Tyson also helps a group called Kick 4 Life. This group uses soccer to help young people in Lesotho.

Films

Television Shows

Music Videos