Sue
Kelbe (Bensinger)
Sue is on the right.
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After studying costume design and
dance at Florida State, I was offered a contract
with Wilhelmina to model in New York. Armed with
my Nova Contemporary Music experience, I figured
I should go out on commercial auditions (in those
days models didn't cross over into commercials...
how it has changed). My second week in the
business I landed a commercial which started
my career. I now have over 150 commercials to
date. After 8 years of modeling, commercials,
and tid-bit soap opera jobs, I landed a screen
test as the network choice for Heather Locklear's
role on TJ Hooker. We know how that turned out...
(producers were rarely on my side). I moved
to L.A.
For the next 5 years (mid-80's), I landed lots
of TV work. A couple of pilots and a bunch of
guest spots on various shows playing roles like
Alec Baldwin's fiesty girlfriend (his first
pilot as well as mine). Then as a TV producer
suing her actors on LA Law.
Next came the best opportunity of my life...
I met the man I married. Chris Bensinger and
I started the family I had dreamed of. With
Elllie (6) and Jack (5) the acting still goes
on... I just don't get paid for it!
Pursuing just commercials seems to be the only
mix with full-time parenting these days, although
my daughter and I were a part of the movie Titanic
in a small scene. We like to call it a pivotal
point in the film. All of fours seconds... two
weeks of filming.
It has all been so much fun and I thank the
three infamous individuals; Hall, Hill, and
Williams for their influence in what was, at
first, just an interest for me.
Contact: bensinger@aol.com
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Mike
Kessler
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I went to the George Washington
University in Washington, DC for one year, following
my graduation from Nova High in 1975. I then returned
to Ft. Lauderdale, and pursued a short-lived career
as a radio broadcaster as well as several other
jobs. In 1983, I moved to Washington, DC again,
although I left for a few months shortly thereafter
to manage a ski lodge in the mountains near Boone,
North Carolina.
After returning to DC, I became employed by the
U.S. Treasury Department, where I eventually became
a public affairs specialist. I concentrated on
video production, live and pre-recorded television
and radio production, and I also co-edited and
reported for a quarterly (print) magazine. In
early 1997, severe budget cuts chopped away
over a third of the people in my department,
including myself, so I moved to Los Angeles
to pursue film and video production there. Five
months later, I returned to DC. Dorothy was
right: There’s no place like home.
Currently, I’m employed in the film and video
unit of the World Bank. I work one block from
the White House, and live a twenty minute walk
from there.
I live with my partner, Buck, in Washington's
Adams Morgan neighborhood. We have worked together
to design several websites for everything from
social groups to international aid organizations.
Unfortunately, that leaves our own websites
as last priority, as you’ll see if you go to
mine.
Contact: mkessler@mindspring.com
Web Page http://mkessler.home.mindspring.com/
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George
Kovach
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This is SO kewl! I am really glad
to have stumbled on this website, so I can get
hold of some folks.
I spent the 70's just staying as high as I
could be. In 1984 I graduated from nursing school
in Gainesville, Fla, and was a registered nurse
for quite a few years, before I burned out.....
I am sure that my job as clinic nurse supervisor
at Florida State Prison and Union Correctional
Institution had A LOT to do with my nursing
burnout. More responsible for it, I think, was
my alcoholism and addiction. The substance abuse
really took hold during my nursing years, at
which time I was also touring with Bo Diddley's
band, Dan Fogelberg, and the Dick Clark R&R
Revival.....all this was in the early '80s....and
drugs were the order of the day.
In 1983 I got married, and in 1984 had a beautiful
son....Ian.
Then, in 1986 I auditioned with the US Army
Band, and spent a total of 10 years with The
US Army Band in Ft. Lee, VA, the 62nd Army Band
in Ft. Bliss, TX, The US Army Band Europe in
Heidelberg, Germany, and 2 years piano/theory
instructor at the Armed Forces School of Music
in Little Creek Amphibious Base, Virginia Beach,
VA. I even managed to be fortunate enough to
be the Musical Director for the 1990 United
States Army Soldier Show, which was a fairly
large-budget 6-month touring variety show, comprising
40 of the Army's best talent, selected by audition,
worldwide. We traveled the world, playing mostly
at all of the Army bases for Morale and Welfare,
but we also performed at the White House for
President George Bush, as well as the stage
of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. The
only break in the musical chain, was during
Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm. I was
deployed to Saudi Arabia as a truck driver,
delivering 'beans and bullets' to all the various
troops in that theater of operations. Unfortunately,
my convoy was attacked and bombed. Nobody lost
their lives, however I was medi-vac'd back to
the US because I DID lose my left knee. I have
a total knee replacement, and after some recuperation,
went right back into musical action. All in
all, my military years were a wonderful time.
We divorced in 1995, at the same time that
the Military downsized and Honorably Discharged
me. Once again, I drank. I am now clean and
sober (as is my ex-wife, with whom I have a
very blessed relationship now), we are both
very active with Alcoholics Anonymous, and sobriety
has given me a joy in my life which I have never
known.
Incidentally, the Dr before my name in my email
addr speaks to the name of my business Dr. George
PC/LAN Specialist...... I am doing NT and Linux
Network Administration and Desktop Support as
a contractor for various companies, along with
trying to keep my fledgling business going.
I live in the SF Bay area. My son's name is
Ian, as I mentioned earlier, and he is now 16,
living in El Paso, TX with his mom. He inherited
many 'gifts' from me......some good, some not
so good. He plays piano wonderfully, as well
as having been the First Chair trumpet for the
school district. He now plays guitar as well.....although
he reads music, he has that phenomenal gift
which I have always been blessed with.....the
ability to hear a song once or twice, and play
it. Unfortunately, he also inherited quite a
strong taste for pot, although fortunately he
does not like the taste of alcohol. God gives
me the opportunity to share my experience, strength
and hope with him, as well as others.
I play the piano 2 nights a week at Max's Opera
Cafe in Stanford, Palo Alto......it is great
fun....a good mix of classical, jazz, pop stuff,
and the waiters and waitresses are all singers
selected by audition, and come up during various
parts of their shifts, and sing, with me accompanying
them. They each keep a portfolio of their music
behind the piano....and it could be ANYTHING.
My favorite part of the gig is the challenge
of first-time sight-reading/performance, as
I really have no idea beforehand what music
each singer will come up with.
Much has surely taken place in the span of
30 years. It is GREAT to hear from you! God
bless you. Please keep in touch.
Contact: drgeorgekovach@yahoo.com
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