Tyra Banks

TYRA BANKS

Date of Birth: December 4, 1973

This California beauty, who was made famous as a cover girl model, grew up in Los Angeles. It was in her mid-teens that she decided to become a model. Turned down by four modeling agencies because they thought she wasn't photogenic, Banks was eventually signed with the Elite agency at age 17. She moved to Paris, France to model Ralph Lauren and Chanel for a year before returning to the States and becoming a super model.

By the 90s she began her film career, first landing small roles for TV such as in the telefilm Inferno and the series The Fresh Prince of Bel Air playing Jackie Ames. She move on to bigger roles in films like Higher Learning (1995).

About this time, her modeling career skyrocketed and her image was plastered in both print and on television in ads for Cover Girl, Victoria's Secret, Nike and Tommy Hilfiger. Her modeling career was so successful she became the first African-American woman ever to be featured on the covers of GQ magazine, the Victoria's Secret catalog, and the famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Banks also made People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful" list twice, and even wrote a revealing book about her life, Tyra's Beauty Inside & Out.

She returned to Hollywood in the late 90s landing major roles such as Holly in Love Stinks (1999), Zoe in Coyote Ugly (2000) and Nora in Holloween: Resurrection (2002).

Filmography:

Adam Sandler's 8 Crazy Nights (voice) (2002)
Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
Larceny (2001)
Coyote Ugly (2000)
Love & Basketball (2000)
Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael (1999) (V)
Love Stinks (1999)
Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit '97 (1997) (V)
A Woman Like That (1997)
Alien Encounter (1995) (uncredited)
Higher Learning (1995)