Robby Benson’s career has stretched across five decades, taking him from teenage heartthrob to respected actor, director, and advocate. Rising to fame in the 1970s with films such as Jeremy and Death Be Not Proud, he quickly became a household name. Behind the spotlight, however, Benson privately faced a congenital heart condition, confiding only in his wife, actress and singer Karla DeVito, while balancing the demands of Hollywood and family life.
The 1980s marked both professional growth and personal milestones. Benson starred in the acclaimed film Running Brave and later transitioned into television projects while building a family with DeVito. Together they raised two children, Lyric and Zephyr. By the 1990s, he expanded his career behind the camera, directing episodes of popular shows including Ellen, even as he endured a series of heart surgeries that tested his strength and resilience.
In the following decades, Benson became more open about his health journey. His memoir, I’m Not Dead … Yet!, blended humor with candid reflections on the challenges he faced. He also reconnected with fans by revisiting one of his most iconic roles, the voice of the Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, through special anniversary appearances and public events.
Now 69, Benson lives in the Pacific Northwest, where he embraces his role as a grandfather to Kingsley while continuing to act, most recently appearing in Severance Season 2. With over four decades of marriage to DeVito, he continues to celebrate life with gratitude, proving that perseverance, creativity, and love remain at the center of his remarkable story.