The Poker Baywatch: Traci Bingham

Traci Bingham first appeared on the radar screen for most people when she portrayed Jordon Tate on the show Baywatch. It was here where she crossed a racial barrier. Traci was the first African American to don the red bathing suit of a Baywatch lifeguard. This wasn't exactly Jackie Robinson stepping on to the diamond at Dodger Field for the first time, but it got the attention of many of us. What will probably come as a mild surprise to most is that Traci Bingham is a young lady with a Harvard education.




Beginning her post high school academic career at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio Traci showed exceptional flair. She then went on to the prestigious Ivy League University. The acting bug got under her skin though, and she dropped out of Harvard to pursue a career in front of the camera. Harvard's loss is our gain.

Since opting out of a Harvard degree, Traci has appeared in literally dozens of projects. Most of her time has been spent working on ventures for television, but she has popped up in a few feature films as well. She has also turned more than her share of heads with a high profile appearance in playboy.

The online casino site Empire Poker has tapped former ''Baywatch" star Traci Bingham to be the website's new spokesgirl. The Cambridge native's likeness will be used in conjunction with Empire Poker on its website and all media events. ''Traci will be seen at high profile venues such as red carpet events and poker tournaments wearing Empire Poker gear," the company said in a release.

Recently Traci Bingham has joined forces with Empire Poker. Like many other celebrities today she has found herself gravitating towards the game of Texas Hold'em, and the move to Empire Poker just became a natural fit. Traci will be appearing at poker events, like the World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker, as well as number of other high-profile events wearing the Empire Poker gear. She will also be appearing in their print and television ads. It is beginning to look like trading her red bathing suit in for an Empire Poker T-shirt is one of the best moves this young lady has ever made.

About Traci Bingham: Traci's fame from Baywatch led to small-time hosting gigs on shows like Candid Camera and MTV's Bikini Beach Party. But prior to that, she also appeared in small roles on The Cosby Show, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Young & The Restless, among others.

Just when things were getting red hot for Traci with her 1998 spread for Play.boy, she was taken out of the Baywatch script by the time her issue was released. That didn't stop Traci from keeping busy though, as she added modeling to her resume and has appeared on a slew of magazine covers, and took on small television roles in Sin City Spectacular, The Jamie Foxx Show, Strip Mall, Malcolm & Eddie, The Parkers, as well as occupying a square on the game show, Hollywood Squares.

Source: launchpoker