Birthday: Dec 19, 1970

Birthplace: Bronx, New York, USA

Biography: The 6'2" tall,Tyson Craig Beckford is an American sipermodel and actor, known
worldwide for his muscular physique, facial structure, and tattoos; nd also as the
lead model for Ralph Lauren. He is also reported to be one of the highest-paid and
richest male supermodels in the world.

Beckford is the son of a Jamaican and Chinese father and African-American mother.
Growing up in Rochester, New York, he attended Pittsford Mendon High School in the
affluent suburb of Pittsford as a ... ... (read more...) participant in the Urban-Suburban Program, a
busing program designed to give educational opportunities to urban youth in the
city's surrounding suburban school districts. Tyson was a member of his high school
football and track teams, and it has been reported that early in his life, Beckford
was a gang member and was involved in the sale and distribution of illegal
narcotics.

In 1991,he was recruited to hip hop magazine "The Source"by a talent scout who had
come across him by chance in a New York park.

In 1993,Beckford was recruited by Ralph Lauren as the front model for the company's
Polo line of male sportswear. Beckford's fame continued to rise, and he was named
"Man of the Year" in 1995 by VH1,as well as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in
the World by "People" magazine.

In June 2005, Beckford was injured in a car accident near his home. His vehicle
caught fire, and Beckford was able to pull himself out before it became fully
engulfed in flames. The accident had a profound effect on his spirituality, which he
later revealed on "The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Today, Beckford lives with his young son in New York City.

Beckford has in the past has been linked with female rapper Foxy Brown.