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Traci Bingham
 
Baywatch: 7th Season (199X-199X) through 8th Season (199X-199X)
Occupation: Actor; Model
Current Projects: N/A
Birth Name: Julie Anne Smith
Birthdate: January 13, 1968
Birthplace: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Current Residence: Los Angeles, California
Marital Status: Single, but is engaged to John Edward Yarbrough/Divorced from Rob Vallier (August 29, 1998-January 18, 2001)
Hair/Eyes: Brown/Dark Brown
Height/weight: 5 feet, 7 inches tall/104 pounds
Heritage: American/Black, with African, Italian and Native Indian decent
Education: Attended Harvard University/Majored in Psychology (Did not finish-her great love for fashion dictated and she opted for modeling instead.
Parents: Mother is Black/Father Native American/deceased (Cherokee)
Children: None
Siblings: 6; 2 older sisters; 4 older brothers (all siblings attended Ivy League Schools)
Showbusiness start: Modeling; left Harvard and studying Psychology behind for the exciting world of fashion.  
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, Gardening; Movies; Music; Photography; Read; Sewing; Sports; Health; Shopping; Singing; Swimming; Traveling; Water Sports; Wine Tasing; Working Out. 
 
 
Traci Bingham was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the youngest of 7 children. With 4 athletic older brothers, Traci grew up with a love of sports as well. She joined the swim team, track and cross country teams and even took home first prize at a local fair for pole vaulting and hurdle jumping. She and her siblings were brought up in a strict, but loving home that emphasized the importance of family values and education. Since all of her siblings had attended Ivy League school, she went to Harvard, studying Pychology. Pychology was something she truly enjoyed, but her love for fashion dominated. She left her psychology classes behind and pursued modeling.
 
Traci loved the choice, but was told that she needed to take modeling lessons. Traci felt that she didn't need training, but attended John Casablancas Modeling School/Elite Models. There she won top model, won a modeling competition and got to meet and ign with Mrs. Eileen Ford, owner of New York's high profile The Ford Agency. She got to model and travel the world and a chance to meet famous people and got noticed by director John Landis while he was in Boston, filming Celtic Pride. He gave her a small part in the basketball film. 
 
Traci decided to move to Los Angeles, California where she found that her career took off instantly. She filmed numerous commercials, guest starred on television sitcoms including Cheers/NBC, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air/NBC and Married...With Children/FOX.  Her movie credits included The Firm, Tales From the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight and the Nutty Professor. 
 
In 1996, Traci joined the cast of Baywatch as lifeguard Jordan Tate. The first Black actress cast as a regular and to appear in the famous red bathing suit. Her job motivated her to get involved with Heal the Bay, as well as other environmental charities.
 
She then posed for Playboy in 1998. And was later added to another TV Series called The Dream Team with Martin Sheen and Roger Moore.
 

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CREDIT: PHOTO TAKEN FROM THE SHOW'S OWN OFFICIAL BAYWATCH SITE.
 
 
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
You can visit Traci Bingham at her Official Website:
 
ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS[FULL LIST]
 
FACTS[FULL LIST]
-Is a Vegetarian
-Is the youngest of 7 siblings; 4 brothers, 2 sisters.
-Went to high school with actors Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Max Cassella. Ben Car (lead singer for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones), Patrick Ewing, Max Cassella and others who are now well-known celebrities.
-Went to Harvard. She studied Psychology. Her siblings also attended Ivy League Colleges.
-Left Harvard for the world of fashion. She became a model and loved it!
-Was told that she needed training as a model. Although Traci thought otherwise, she attended the John Cassablancas Modeling School/Elite Models. 
-Going to modeling school afforded her a chance to win top model as well as winning a modeling competition. Here, she met Mrs. Eileen Ford from the prestigious Ford agency in New York.
-Was the first Black female to be cast on Baywatch in a regular role as well as to play a lifeguard.
 
CHARITIES[FULL LIST]
-People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA); Speaks out against killing animals for food
-Dream Foundation
-American Cancer Society; feels important to give back to society and raise awareness and find a cure
 

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