Robby Benson

I think Robby Benson is one of the most underrated people around. He’s an actor, director, father, husband, musician, author, educator, and who knows what else. He’s a talented guy that I don’t think a lot of people know about.

As Robby Benson himself says, “I was into show business straight from the womb”. He was born on January 21, 1956 in Dallas, Texas and started working (commercials) in the 60’s. He seems to have always been around. I remember him in my teen magazines when I was a kid. He started appearing in the early 70’s and was still around in the 80’s. I never had his pinups hanging on my wall, but I did like his movies.

Movies

My favorite Robby movie is probably Ice Castles. I love the music. Did you know that the theme from that movie is Nikki and Victor’s song on The Young and the Restless? It was played during their first wedding in 1984 and many times since then. I cried at the end of Ice Castles when they forgot about the flowers. Sad. I had that special excited feeling as a young girl when they showed Robby in his tighty whities during a scene. Yum.

I remember giggling uncontrollably in the theater during his movie Die Laughing. It was one of those times where I don’t think the line was that funny. I was with friends and we were all kind of giggly. It was contagious. I’m laughing right now thinking about it.

I also loved One on One. I tend to like a lot of sports type movies. Robby wrote this script as well as acted in the lead role. His coach treats him like crap, but Robby has the best line at the end after being a hero on the basketball court. All the way up with a red-hot poker. I can play anywhere I want!

Jerry Lewis

There have many times in different movies where Robby has reminded me of a young Jerry Lewis. Sometimes his playing of an innocent character seems to take on a form of retardation. That’s usually where the Jerry Lewis similarity comes up. I’ve seen this in several different movies. I’ve seen this same Jerry Lewis similarity with Matthew Broderick as well.

Robby is the voice of Beast in Beauty and the Beast. I don’t know if many people know that. He’s also directed many TV shows. He has directed Ellen (her TV show, not the talk show), Friends, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Evening Shade, and tons more. He’s written a couple of books, taught at colleges, and won the Nobel Peace Prize. Yeah, I made that last one up. He’s also had four heart surgeries which has to suck. He seems like a healthy and positive guy.

Marriage

Robby Benson has done a lot in his 63 years, but I think the one thing I’m most impressed with is his marriage to Karla DeVito. He and his wife have been married for almost 40 years. That’s impressive for anyone, but it’s almost unheard of for a couple in Hollywood. Robby and Karla have a son and a daughter, both who are very successful in their own right.

Robby Benson may not be the cute little boy that appeared in the teen magazines back in the day, but he’s come out of being a Hollywood child actor just fine. I look forward to seeing more projects by this unsung hero.