“I’ve Always Been Soulful”: At 69, Robby Benson Reflects on Fame, Family, and Finding Peace
From teenage stardom to becoming a proud grandfather and heart health advocate, Robby Benson’s story spans over five decades of evolution — both on screen and within his own spirit. The once fresh-faced teen idol of the 1970s has transformed into a man defined not by fame, but by resilience, gratitude, and love.
Now, at 69 years old, Benson looks back on a remarkable journey marked by early success, private struggle, and hard-won peace — proof that reinvention can happen at any age.
The Rise of a 1970s Heartthrob
The year was 1973. At just 17, Robby Benson arrived at the Cannes Film Festival to promote Jeremy, a tender coming-of-age romance co-starring Glynnis O’Connor. His open smile and gentle charm made him an instant favorite among audiences and critics alike.
By the mid-1970s, Benson had cemented his place as one of America’s most beloved young actors, starring in a string of heartfelt films and ABC television dramas. With his blue eyes and quiet confidence, he embodied the ideal of the sensitive leading man — a counterpoint to the era’s swaggering icons.
But behind that photogenic smile, a far different reality was unfolding.
The Secret Battle Behind the Fame
In 1980, fans saw Benson photographed in New York, casually holding a guitar — an image that reflected his introspective, artistic side. That same year, paparazzi captured him laughing beside Brooke Shields at a charity event. To the outside world, he seemed invincible — talented, young, and endlessly charming.
Yet beneath that glow, Benson was hiding a secret that could have ended his career: a congenital heart valve defect. For years, he endured fatigue, dizziness, and chest pain in silence. “I was told that admitting to a heart condition would be career suicide,” he would later say.
So, he pushed through. “I was raised old-school in the theater — you didn’t miss rehearsal, let alone a show,” he explained. “If I collapsed, I blamed it on being tired or having indigestion. Only my wife, Karla, knew the truth.”
Love and Family: His Steady Anchor
In 1982, Benson starred in Running Brave, portraying Olympic runner Billy Mills — a role that mirrored his own quiet determination. By the mid-1980s, he was balancing fame with a deeper focus on family. He joined the cast of Tough Cookies in 1986 and continued to take on film and TV projects while slowly stepping out of the Hollywood fast lane.
By 1989, new photos showed a different side of the once teenage idol — a man content in domestic life, spending more time with his wife and children than in the spotlight. The public began to see not just Robby Benson the actor, but Robby Benson the husband, father, and musician.
A Shift Behind the Camera
The 1990s brought a new chapter. Benson and Karla DeVito became a picture of enduring partnership, appearing together at public events and supporting each other’s creative paths. By 1995, Benson had moved behind the camera, directing episodes of the hit sitcom Ellen.
A 1997 family photograph with DeVito and their children — Lyric and Zephyr — revealed his priorities had changed. The man once known for his on-screen intensity now radiated warmth, balance, and humility.
Surviving the Battle for His Heart
The early 2000s tested Benson in unimaginable ways. His heart condition worsened, leading to multiple open-heart surgeries. He suffered heart failure twice, and doctors told him that further complications could be fatal.
He relocated to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, retreating from Hollywood and devoting his energy to heart health advocacy. But even in recovery, he stayed connected to his artistic roots — appearing at charity events, mentoring young filmmakers, and continuing to compose music.
Then, in 2010, at the Cleveland Clinic, he underwent his fourth open-heart surgery. True to his relentless spirit, he tried to return to running and swimming within weeks. “I was stubborn,” he later admitted with a laugh. “If a doctor tells you to rest for six weeks, take twelve.”
Rediscovery and Reflection
That same year, Benson reconnected with fans through a Beauty and the Beast sing-along screening, revisiting his iconic role as the voice of the Beast in Disney’s 1991 classic. Two years later, he published his deeply personal multimedia memoir, I’m Not Dead… Yet!, which combined storytelling, photography, and music.
The book wasn’t a polished Hollywood tale — it was raw, funny, and painfully honest. “I wrote about the things not to do,” he said. “All the mistakes I made and the lessons I learned the hard way.”
Benson credited Karla for saving his life more than once:
“She found the doctors who could help me. She made sure I got the right treatment. I’m alive because of her.”
The Beauty of Endurance
In 2016, he celebrated the 25th anniversary of Beauty and the Beast. By 2019, Benson reflected openly on the emotional sensitivity that shaped both his career and personality.
“I’ve always been soulful,” he said. “But after fifty-three years in this business, you also have to grow a thick skin.”
His advice to others was simple yet profound:
“You’re not a victim of your circumstances. You always have choices — try to make the best ones you can.”
Grandfather, Teacher, Survivor
That same year, Benson shared a joyful picture with his grandson Kingsley, his eyes crinkled with the same warmth that had once charmed millions. In 2022, he and Karla posted a sunlit selfie — two people who had weathered storms together and still smiled like newlyweds.
In June 2024, Benson posted a side-by-side collage: one photo of himself as a teenage athlete in a yellow basketball jersey, and another of him courtside at 69. Fans flooded the comments section with praise:
“Beautiful young man then. A distinguished gentleman now.”
“Still the same kind eyes.”
“And that hair! Timeless!”
Later that year, he was spotted courtside again — relaxed, content, waving to fans. He and Karla marked 42 years of marriage with a dinner surrounded by flowers, laughter, and quiet gratitude.
Still Creating, Still Grateful
In 2025, Benson returned to acting, appearing in Season 2 of Severance as Dr. Mauer — a mysterious character deeply tied to the show’s central storyline. “I got very lucky,” he said, grateful for the opportunity to reenter the screen world on his own terms.
Now settled in the Pacific Northwest, Robby and Karla cherish time with their two grandchildren, Kingsley and Aurora, finding joy in simple, grounded living.
“This chapter is about love and purpose,” he reflected. “I’ve spent my life chasing work and goals — now I’m chasing moments. I just want to be the best husband, father, and grandfather I can be.”
A Life in Full
On September 29, 2025, the couple appeared at a fan convention beside a display celebrating over fifty years of Benson’s career — from Jeremy to Beauty and the Beast to Severance. It was more than a career retrospective; it was a tribute to endurance.
In the end, Robby Benson’s life is not defined by the spotlight he once stood in, but by the light he’s learned to carry quietly. His story is a portrait of courage, artistry, and gratitude — proof that even a heart once broken can beat stronger than ever.