Tyson Beckford is an American fashion model and actor best known for his work as a leading model for Ralph Lauren. He was born in Rochester, New York, to a mother of Chinese and Afro-Jamaican descent and a father of Afro-Panamanian origin. Shortly after his birth, his mother moved the family back to Jamaica, where they lived for over seven years. The family later returned to the United States and settled in Harlem, New York City.
During his school years, Beckford was often teased due to his distinctive appearance, shaped by his multicultural heritage. Despite these early challenges, his unique look would later prove to be a defining element of his modeling career.
Beckford was discovered by a talent scout from The Source, a hip-hop magazine, while in New York City. Not long after, he was recruited to work for Ralph Lauren, becoming the face of the brand's Polo line for men's sportswear. His signing marked a milestone in fashion as he became one of the first African-American male models to gain international recognition.
Although Beckford faced challenges as one of the few Black models in the industry at the time, including feeling isolated due to the lack of diversity, he persevered. He modeled for Ralph Lauren for five years and appeared on numerous major fashion magazine covers worldwide. His striking features—derived from his diverse heritage—earned him a place on People magazine's list of "50 Most Beautiful People."
In 2003, Beckford appeared on the ABC reality show I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! In addition to his modeling career, he expanded into television and film, taking on both leading and supporting roles. He also leveraged his fame to become a prominent television personality.
Beckford co-hosted the reality competition show Make Me a Supermodel on the Bravo TV network alongside model Niki Taylor. He later served as a judge and mentor on the Australian version of the same show. Through these roles, he helped guide aspiring models while also further establishing his presence in the entertainment industry.
Beckford resides in West New York, New Jersey. He has a son with his former partner April Roomet, a celebrity hair stylist who appeared on the E! television series Candy Girls. He has also been romantically linked to model Shanina Shaik. There is no public record of Beckford being married or divorced.
He serves as an ambassador for Kick4Life, a nonprofit organization that uses the power of soccer to engage vulnerable youth in holistic support programs in Lesotho, Southern Africa. His involvement underscores his commitment to leveraging his platform for social development and global outreach.
| Birth Date: | 19 Dec, 1970 |
| Age: | 49 yrs |
| Occupations: | Television presenter Model Film actor Film producer |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | The Bronx |
| Education: | Pittsford Mendon High School |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor and model |
| Net Worth 2021: | 8 million |
