Meet Ben Tinsley | Film Actor, Singer, Comic Book Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with BEN TINSLEY and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi BEN, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It’s actually more of an emotional process.

At age 9, my mom, Anne Miller Tinsley, took me to audition for the Texas Boys Choir in Fort Worth.

This was my first personal exposure to anything “performing-oriented’ like the choir.

(Although, non-personally, my sister Anna and I saw Mom perform as a stage actor at Fort Worth’s Casa Manana for years.)

Before starting with the Texas Boys Choir, I didn’t even really realize — at least to myself — that I could sing.

But over the next two years I would be classically trained in music, be trained in dance routines, and would tour the United States, performing with the group. Doing my schoolwork during down time.

This experience led to stage acting. Which led to film acting.

My time with the Texas Boys Choir would change my life.

My Mom and my MeMa, Cloteele Putnam Miller, loved my voice..

As did my HERO, my PePa, Ray Virgil Miller, who was the first person to leap up and clap for me during Texas Boys Choir concerts.

So I guess my thought process pretty much went from …

“HUH? What is THIS?” ….

to … “SHOW BIZ! IS THE LIFE FOR ME”

But I would struggle with that decision.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I can’t say I know anyone else who does film acting, singing and comic book writing together. It’s kind of a weird combo.

I LOVE to act. I LOVE to sing. And I LOVE writing comic books.

But I took my time getting around to these things.

My reluctance to get back to them over the years tortured me.

You see, after being a child performer and acting on stage before age 21, I was talked into putting aside the acting, comic book writing and singing. (So I wouldn’t starve.)

And so, I spent 30 years in the journalism profession. I worked at numerous newspapers.

So many.

Eventually, I ended up writing for a celebrity blog in Las Vegas. Maybe it was the influence of Vegas, but my three loves just poured out of me.

All I could remember was a promise I made to my MeMa never to hide my gifts.

So in Las Vegas, I stopped hiding them.

This would lead to me formally jumping headlong back in to film, singing and comic book publishing in 2017.

So every time you see me on film, every time you read somethiing I have written or hear me sing, please know: THERE IS NOTHING I WOULD RATHER DO.

Nothing at all.

Succeed or fail, this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t get out much and my Keto diet is extremely limited.

But!

Joe T Garcia’s, 2201 N Commerce St….

and ….

….. Pancho’s All You Can Eat Mexican Food Buffet, 2434 Jackboro Highway,…

are my top two restaurant picks for Fort Worth.

For hamburgers, I recommend Kincaids, 4901 Camp Bowie Boulevard.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
All thanks to ….

My MeMa and PePa, Cloteele and Ray Miller, for helping me feel good about myself during a rough, ADHD, childhood.

My parents, Jack Tinsley and Anne Miller Tinsley, for raising me and moving me forward in the world.

Charlie Reynolds, my Tarleton State University college mentor, for helping me survive college.

Dr. Russell Long, my Tarleton English advisor, for his help with my graduation plan, and his AMAZING literature lessons in Shakespeare. Literature lessons SO good they influenced my acting.

Patty McCormick, my definitive drama instructor at Tarrant County Junior College for teaching the basics of acting. I still use her advice to this day.

Rodney Honeycutt, my TCJC drama classmate and the best actor I’ve ever known. EVER. For being a pal, being supportive of my acting, and reading comic books with me..

Shane Danger, my best friend since age 9, and an incredible human being. For talking me out of REALLY doing stupid things. And being an inspiration.

Manuel Alvear, who I first met working at the Tarleton newspaper, THE J-TAC. Manuel’s strong friendship and continuous support in college and beyond has made all the difference.

Jason Dube, manga artist and publisher of Scattered Comics out of California, who has worked with me on every successfully-published comic book and trained my son and I in how to publish them.

My first born son and writing partner Jake Tinsley, who helped me reach my lifelong comic book publishing dream. Jake continues to work with me, helping me train for film roles and minding all our comic book projects when I’m off filming.

Tim Sparks, my DEFINITIVE Hollywood director, who gave me a real shot and a role as the immigration attorney in AMARAICA, still streaming on MAX (formerly HBO Max).

Normita Joven and the amazing team at ICON for being my first “BIG TIME” talent representation agency.

Website: https://www.scatteredcomics.com/ben-tinsley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bentinsleydramashaman/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BenTinsley

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ben.tinsley.12/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BenTinsley

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8008358/ https://www.backstage.com/u/ben-tinsley/ https://theoriginalvangoghsearanthology.com/2020/11/17/an-interview-with-actor-singer-ben-tinsley/ https://www.reverbnation.com/bentinsley

Image Credits
I have the rights to both photos. The images are of me.