BECKFORD ON BRONX WALK OF FAME

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The Bronx Tourism Council has announced that international model and actor Tyson Beckford will be inducted to the Bronx Walk of Fame this year. Mr. Beckford is the last 2012 Bronx Walk of Fame honoree, joining noted jazz musician Valerie Capers, cinematographer Sol Negrin and hip-hop legend Fat Joe, as well as dozens of other borough legends who throughout the years have been honored for their contributions to cultural and civic life not just here in the Bronx, but across the nation and the world.

“I am very happy to be one of this year’s honorees on the ‘Bronx Walk of Fame.’ I can’t thank my fellow Bronxites enough for supporting me throughout my career. The Bronx is a great place to live in; it’s diverse and filled with great people from all walks of life. I am proud to call myself a Bronxite, and I thank Borough President Diaz for awarding me with this great honor,” said Tyson Beckford.

“I am very pleased to have Mr. Tyson Beckford on our ‘Bronx Walk of Fame’ this year. Not only is he a well known figure across the globe, achieving success through his outstanding work as a model and actor in Hollywood, but he continues to give back through his community work and has always positively represented the Bronx along the way,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Bronxite Tyson Beckford was destined to become synonymous with the term “male supermodel.”

From the moment his image was first caputred by a photographer’s lens in 1994, Tyson’s modeling career took off when chosen to became the face of another fellow Bronxite, designer Ralph Lauren.

Tyson has appeared on countless covers and editorials for Arena, Details, GQ, Essence, and The New York Times Magazine, just to name a few. Tyson’s accomplishments have been widely recognized. In 1995, People Magazine named him one of the “50 Most Beautiful People” and subsequently the “Sexiest Male Model” in its 1997 “Sexiest Man Alive” issue. He was also selected as the “Best Male Model” of the year at the inaugural VH1 Fashion and Music Awards in 1995.

In addition to modeling, Tyson has co-starred in the MGM feature “Into The Blue,” starring Paul Walker and Jessica Alba. Some of his other film credits include notable roles in “Zoolander” and “Biker Boyz” and independently produced, “Kings of the Evening," "Hotel California,” and “Searching for Bobby DeNiro.” Tyson has also appeared on such television programs as Oprah, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Regis & Kelly, and many more.

Today, Tyson actively participates in charities such as “Race to Deliver”, an event he has co-hosted for several consecutive years to help homebound people with AIDS. In addition, he is busy developing his motor sports interests, which has led him to become a licensed driving member of Supertuners and host his own auto makeover show, called “Fine Tuned” on the Discovery Turbo channel.

*** Tyson Beckford’s Photo Available***

Join Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. on May 19 on the red carpet of The Bronx Ball, the borough’s most popular social event of the year. It’s a night to remember as Borough President Diaz leads the borough in welcoming home and paying tribute to several celebrity guests on the eve of their induction to the Bronx Walk of Fame. In the past, these special celebrity guests have included stage and screen star Chazz Palminteri, Grammy-winning singer and actress Irene Cara, TMZ Executive Producer Charles Latibeaudiere, Emmy-winning actress Doris Roberts, and Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley.

The black-tie gala takes place under a luxurious tent on Orchard Beach and is a fundraiser for the Bronx Tourism Council, a program at the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC). For ticket and advertising information please contact Jennifer Blatus: 718-590-2502 jblatus@boedc.org.

On May 20th the grand finale of Bronx Week will take place in the heart of the borough. Line the streets of Mosholu Parkway and the Grand Concourse to watch the magnificent parade. Bronx pride is on display as marching bands, community groups, local schools, sports teams and visit organizations march along Mosholu Parkway and pave the way for the Walk of Fame inductees float. As the parade approaches the Borough Hall, join Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. as the 2012 Bronx Walk of Fame inductees take their rightful place on the Grand Concourse when he unveils street signs bearing their names. As TV star and past inductee Doris Roberts has said, “I have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but this is better!”

Contacts:

Tourism: Bronx Borough Presidents Office:

Jennifer Blatus John DeSio

Tourism & Administration Coordinator Communications Director

718.590.2502 718.590.3543