Full Bio
"A smart model is a good model," Tyra Banks was once quoted as saying, and she seems destined to prove it in every way. Now widely known as one of the world's foremost supermodels, Banks began her modeling career at the age of 17 with the Elite agency after flirting with attending college at Loyola Marymount. The 5'11" beauty was quickly discovered in Los Angeles, her birth city, and offered a healthy contract with cosmetics company Cover Girl -- becoming only the third African-American woman in the world to secure such an opportunity.
Her striking looks and business savvy extended to several offers, including assignments with Ralph Lauren and various magazine covers (over 20 to be exact), including ~Sports Illustrated and most notably ~GQ, where Banks became the first black woman ever to grace the cover. In addition to various ads and runway gigs, Banks decided to branch out into feature films, scoring a few high-profile gigs, starring as Omar Epps' love interest in John Singleton's racially charged drama Higher Learning (1995) and snagging a stint opposite Will Smith on TV's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. These breakout roles led to more film work, including a British sexploitation film called Inferno and a comic turn in 1999's Love Stinks with actors French Stewart and Bill Bellamy. In 2000, Banks landed a high-profile gig in the critically dismissed but lively Jerry Bruckheimer production Coyote Ugly, playing a sexy barmaid in a role that showcased all of her assets in one tidy package.
Continuing her dual career, Banks' devotion to environmental issues has shown the world her ambition to be a role model as well. She is a promoter of a line of greeting cards for Children+Families, an organization dedicated to helping abused children. Created with the aid of children aged eight and nine, the card series is designed to promote literacy for children in troubled homes. ~ Jason Clark
Her striking looks and business savvy extended to several offers, including assignments with Ralph Lauren and various magazine covers (over 20 to be exact), including ~Sports Illustrated and most notably ~GQ, where Banks became the first black woman ever to grace the cover. In addition to various ads and runway gigs, Banks decided to branch out into feature films, scoring a few high-profile gigs, starring as Omar Epps' love interest in John Singleton's racially charged drama Higher Learning (1995) and snagging a stint opposite Will Smith on TV's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. These breakout roles led to more film work, including a British sexploitation film called Inferno and a comic turn in 1999's Love Stinks with actors French Stewart and Bill Bellamy. In 2000, Banks landed a high-profile gig in the critically dismissed but lively Jerry Bruckheimer production Coyote Ugly, playing a sexy barmaid in a role that showcased all of her assets in one tidy package.
Continuing her dual career, Banks' devotion to environmental issues has shown the world her ambition to be a role model as well. She is a promoter of a line of greeting cards for Children+Families, an organization dedicated to helping abused children. Created with the aid of children aged eight and nine, the card series is designed to promote literacy for children in troubled homes. ~ Jason Clark
ACTING CREDITS
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America's Next Top Model TV (84 episodes)-
Barney Cheng
...Herself - Judge
May 2, 2012 -
Georgina Chapman
...Herself - Judge
Apr 25, 2012 -
Estelle
...Herself - Judge
Apr 18, 2012 -
Beverly Johnson
...Herself - Judge
Mar 28, 2012 -
J. Alexander
...Herself - Judge
Mar 21, 2012 -
Cat Deeley
...Herself - Judge
Mar 14, 2012
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Barney Cheng
...Herself - Judge
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The Price of Pleasure: Pornography, Sexuality & Relationships (2010) ...Herself (archive footage)
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Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009) ...Herself (uncredited)
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Tropic Thunder (2008) ...Herself - The Tyra Banks Show
WRITING CREDITS
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America's Next Top Model TV (54 episodes)
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Nicholas Tse
...creator
May 9, 2012 -
Jessica Sutta and Nadine Coyle
...creator
Apr 11, 2012 -
Highlights
...(creator)
Nov 23, 2011 -
Rachel Zoe
...creator
Mar 23, 2011 -
High Fashion Highlights
...creator
Nov 24, 2010 -
Franca Sozzani
...creator
Nov 17, 2010
-
Nicholas Tse
...creator
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