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Meet Your Neighbor: John D. Bentham
By Callie Thomas
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein
Ethel Merman once sang, “There’s no business like show business.” That has never been truer than for resident John Bentham. At the age of four he would watch as his mother acted at the military base where his father was currently stationed. “I would go along and observe and be a part of the crew, as much as you could do anything at age four,” says Bentham. “From that point on, I was involved in some sort of theater, whether it be on stage or behind the scenes.” In 1999 he got a job with the Magic of David Copperfield, which brought him to Las Vegas. He spent the next four years touring the world and learning about Vegas entertainment. “The city has gone through several paradigm shifts since I first arrived, and the transition has really been quite fascinating.”
Bentham continues to share the magic of the entertainment world in Las Vegas as the producer of several shows in the city, including Defending the Caveman at Harrah’s, Marriage Can Be Murder at Fitzgerald’s, Kevin Burke: Fitz of Laughter also at Fitzgerald’s, and Country Superstars Tribute at the Golden Nugget. Bentham also consults with several shows, including The Lion King at Mandalay Bay in a variety of areas. Being in the entertainment field has enriched his life in more ways than one. Entertainment has opened the door to numerous charitable organizations in which the shows have helped to raise funds either through performances or directly donating to assist causes. “I love to be in the position to help out whenever possible,” he said.
In addition to volunteering at several children’s theaters around the country, John has lent his time to the Boy Scouts of America, Make a Wish Foundation and Junior Achievement of Las Vegas. As a father of three boys that he takes pride in raising with wife Shannon, one organization that has particularly won his heart is the Children’s Heart Foundation of Nevada, where Bentham serves on the foundation’s Community Advisory Board.
In Nevada, it is estimated that more than 350 children are born each year with heart disease that requires either intensive medications or surgery. The Children’s Heart Foundation is committed to empowering heart families through emotional, educational and financial support and to creating a better quality of life for children with heart conditions. The nonprofit organization hosts an annual camp experience called Camp Mend-a-Heart. The four day event is where children that have been born with heart conditions or have developed heart problems have the opportunity to build relationships, gain hope and create important memories. The camp is medically supervised, and those invited to participate enjoy fun activities like crafts, water fun, hiking, obstacle courses and more with other children with similar conditions. “Each year I volunteer at the camp and other events,” Bentham said. “Giving back to the community is really what makes me feel complete.”
John also works directly with Catholic Charities of Nevada to raise funds for meal programs through some of the shows he produces. “I am always giving show tickets to many local charities to support their cause. I love this community and will always do what I can to support it.”
John Bentham continues to help make miracles happen by giving back to the community that means so much to him and his family. “I was always taught that you make a living by what you earn and a life by what you give. All I have ever wanted to do is leave the world better than I found it.”
