Tyson Craig Beckford was in born December 19, 1970 in Bronx, New York and is the son of a Jamaican father and a Jamaican/Chinese-American mother

Tyson attended, and in 1990 graduated from, Pittsford Mendon High School, in Pittsford, NY, an affluent suburb of Rochester, NY

Beckford began to do photo shoots for big-time fashion photographers Herb Ritts and Bruce Weber, who eventually led to his involvement with Ralph Lauren.

He grew up on the streets and headed in the direction of many of his peers - toward a life of crime. Had it not been for a fashion editor from The Source "discovering" him, his life would have gone in an entirely different direction. The editor from The Source convinced him to sign with a New York based modeling agency.

In 1995, just a short 2 years after signing with Ralph Lauren, Tyson Beckford was named VH1's "Model of the Year" and on of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. He has appeared on Television in spots for Toni Braxton, Mia X, Notorious B.I.G., Shaquille O'Neal, Jay Leno, Oprah, Rosie O'Donnel, etc.

In June 2005, Beckford was injured in a car accident near his home. His vehicle caught fire, and Beckford was able to pull himself out before it became fully engulfed in flames.