\n<\/p>\n
The hotel is usually home to the annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony and also hosts many other Hollywood events.<\/p>\n
“I initially came to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career,” he says. “I was hired through a referral and intended it to be my side gig until my acting career took off.”<\/p>\n
While Mr Beenen’s acting career never blossomed, he had a child in 2006 and working award galas became his full-time career. “I’ve had a front row seat to the success acting can bring but never have tasted it myself.”<\/p>\n
As a single dad he says he felt “confusion and panic” at the onset of the pandemic, completely uncertain of his future. “Foremost of my concerns was providing for my daughter. Here we are a year later and… I’m still laid off, as are all my fellow event workers.” <\/p>\n
Mr Beenen says he has been grateful for how supportive the hotel has been. “My employer really stepped up, and held food drives for its laid off workers and handed out generous gift cards.”<\/p>\n
Yet he says the past year has still been “extremely challenging”.<\/p>\n
“The federal unemployment money I bring in is only half of what I made while working. Making rent, keeping up with my bills and providing food for my family has been difficult.<\/p>\n
“I am behind several months on rent payments and other bills. I went from a high octane, lucrative Hollywood career full of glitz and glam, to collecting unemployment money and food donations to survive. It’s been a tough pill to swallow as a man, very hard on one’s self worth.” <\/p>\n
With in-person large award ceremonies not happening for a while, Mr Beenen is strongly considering a career change.<\/p>\n
“Being a waiter can be an unkind industry to age into. I’ve given thought to becoming a librarian to counteract the stimulus overload I’ve experienced working 20 years of award galas.”<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Mr Beenen remains cautiously optimistic about his future. “After a year of isolation and reflection I’m more than ready to get back to doing something!”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n