Traci Bingham - Model
The 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.
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. 
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.