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Bingham, Traci
TopBlacks Member 2001
Supermodel, First African American cast on Baywatch
Half Afro-American, part Cherokee Indian and part Italian, Traci Bingham's exotic and striking looks get her a lot of attention. At only 23, Bingham has become a much sought-after personality, but there is more to her than just her beauty. Before moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, Bingham attended Harvard University. Bingham quickly found work in guest starring roles on dozens of television shows including "Married...With Children," "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," "The Cosby Show," and others. She has also appeared in such features as "The Nutty Professor," "Celtic Pride," "The Firm," and "Tales from the Crypt: Demon Nights." Bingham's tight-knit family and upbringing contributed greatly to her ambition, drive and success.
The youngest of seven siblings, Bingham, the "baby of the family," drew from her older brothers' athletic interests, allowing her to discover her natural abilities as an athlete at a very early age. "In order to spend time with my brothers, I ran track and played football with them," Bingham recalls playfully. Having honed her athletic abilities, Bingham joined the swim team, the track and cross country teams, and even won first prize in shot-put, pole vaulting and hurdle jumping at the local county fair.
Bingham's father, a native American Indian, instilled in his children strong family values and constantly stressed the importance of their Indian heritage values he felt were easily overlooked in modern day society. "I feel privileged to have had such exposure to my roots continually throughout my childhood. It's given me strength to believe in myself," Bingham pronounces proudly.
Born in Cambridge, Bingham and her family led otherwise normal lives. With six older Ivy League siblings as role models, it was only natural that Bingham apply to and attend Harvard University. But all the while, Bingham's passions were centered on acting -performing in such plays as "West Side Story," "Guys and Dolls," "Annie" and "Grease." When John Landis came to Boston to shoot "Celtic Pride," he immediately cast Bingham in a small role in the film, and the excitement of movie making led Bingham to follow her heart into the world of commercials and modeling. After appearing in a national Coca-Cola commercial and in guest starring roles on "Cheers" and "Spenser for Hire," parts in feature films followed and Bingham put her Harvard degree on hold to move to Hollywood.Two years later, with dozens of acting credits on her resume, Bingham landed Baywatch.
Despite all the Hollywood glitz and glamour, Bingham is a simple girl who loves to redecorate her apartment with rare flea market finds, wrought iron furniture, scented candles and plants. As part of the Baywatch cast, Bingham is involved in Heal The Bay and other environmental charities, but also hopes to have time to dedicate to children's charities.