The former teen star rose to fame in the 70s, captivating audiences with his charm and talent. But beyond the spotlight, his greatest role has been as a devoted husband. After more than 40 years of marriage, he still expresses his love through music, proving that true romance never fades.
For many, Robby Benson will always be remembered as the fresh-faced star of the 70s, stealing hearts in films and on TV. But behind the scenes, his real-life love story has been even more captivating.
Robby Benson photographed in 1977 in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
The Hollywood star has been married to his singer and actress wife since the early 80s, proving that lasting romance isnt just something that exists in Hollywood scripts. Take a closer look at their decades-long bond and the heartfelt ways Benson continues to celebrate the woman who has stood by his side.
Robby Benson at the 51st Annual Academy Awards at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the L.A. Music Center on April 9, 1979, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
An Onstage Romance That Lasted Forever
Bensons career began with a meteoric rise in the 1970s, quickly earning him the status of a teen idol. His boyish charm, acting talent, and dedication to his craft made him a household name.
Robby Benson circa 1978 in New York. | Source: Getty Images
It wasnt on a movie set or in front of adoring fans — it was on the stage that he would meet the love of his life, Karla DeVito.
Whether on television, in films, or as a musician, he captivated audiences with his heartfelt performances. He reflected, “The best thing is interacting with people. If you stop and look into their eyes, nothing gets out of hand. That happened on Ice Castles.”
Robby Benson and Lynn-Holly Johnson on the set of “Ice Castles” in 1978. | Source: Getty Images
He added, “There were about 8,000 [restless extras], so I said Id stay to sign autographs, and then they were the best crowd. [Later] I broke my hip during a hockey scene, so I was at home in agony and put on the TV.”
“These young women were screaming, I saw him! I touched him! Then they showed my picture. I was like, That cant be right. It was really funny. I never thought of myself as a star,” the former teen idol added.
Robby Benson circa 1981 in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the frenzy surrounding his name, Benson remained grounded. But while his career had already given him countless unforgettable moments, the most life-changing one was yet to come.
It wasnt on a movie set or in front of adoring fans — it was on the stage that he would meet the love of his life, Karla DeVito. Their love story began in 1980 when DeVito joined the Broadway production of “The Pirates of Penzance,” replacing Linda Ronstadt as Mabel.
Karla DeVito and Robby Benson at the premiere of “Mask” on March 5, 1985, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
But while they seemed like a perfect match in hindsight, their romance didnt begin without some hesitation as DeVito was not actively looking for love when she met Benson.
Benson, cast as Frederic, found himself instantly drawn to her. DeVito was a striking presence — vibrant, charismatic, and possessing a powerful voice.
Karla DeVito performing at Wembley Arena on April 2, 1982, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
During their time working together, their connection deepened. They performed eight shows a week, their onstage romance mirroring their growing affection behind the scenes. Benson later recalled:
“I was so in love with her from the moment I met her. And I lived my entire life in show business and Ive really only met one or two true artists. Karla is one of them. Weve been writing songs since we fell in love — we sold one for The Breakfast Club, one for Diana Ross.”
Karla DeVito and Robby Benson during the 4th Annual Rock & Bowl Tournament for The T.J. Martel Foundation at Calabasas Country Club on April 5, 1986, in California. | Source: Getty Images
But while they seemed like a perfect match in hindsight, their romance didnt begin without some hesitation as DeVito was not actively looking for love when she met Benson. “I was going on a nice, smooth course, and I wasnt expecting to fall madly in love with anyone,” she admitted.
Karla DeVito and Robby Benson photographed on the porch of their home on April 10, 1990. | Source: Getty Images
To make matters worse, Benson often kept to himself and needed a nudge in DeVitos direction. That push came in the form of the shows music conductor Dan Berlinghoff, who was concerned about Bensons isolation and decided to intervene by arranging lunch outings for him with various cast members. Bensons first pairing was with DeVito, and that was all it took.
Karla DeVito and Robby Benson at the premiere of “Descending Angel” on September 7, 1990, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
The two quickly discovered they had long admired each others work. Benson was deeply moved by DeVitos voice, saying, “Ive been working since I was a baby, and Ive never been blown away by a performance, but when I heard Karla sing I was impressed to the point of being embarrassed.”
Karla DeVito and Robby Benson at the 49th Annual Golden Globe Awards at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 18, 1992. | Source: Getty Images
DeVito, in turn, found Benson to be kind, talented, and unexpectedly humorous. She said:
“I liked him totally. He was so creative and a lovely, humble person. Id thought of him as very serious. To find that he also juggled plates and walked into walls was fun.”
Karla DeVito and Robby Benson at the 49th Annual Golden Globe Awards at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 18, 1992. | Source: Getty Images
Their relationship progressed quickly, and within two months, Benson knew he wanted to marry her. However, their love story faced an early test when DeVito had to leave for a three-month record promotion tour.
Though she wrote “Faith” on his dressing-room mirror as a sign of her commitment, Benson was heartbroken by the separation. Still, their bond endured, and when Benson left “The Pirates of Penzance” in early 1981, he invited DeVito to move in with him in California.
Robby Benson and Karla DeVito at the premiere of “Whats Love Got To Do With It?” at El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, California, on October 21, 1993. | Source: Getty Images
Their marriage defied the odds of Hollywood relationships, and DeVito credited Benson with changing her perspective on marriage.
She accepted and they later married on July 11, 1981, in DeVitos hometown of Mokena, Illinois. Their wedding was a deeply emotional event, and during the ceremony, they performed a duet of a song Benson had written, titled “I Believe in Fate.”
DeVito recalled, “There wasnt a dry eye in the room.” Unfortunately, their honeymoon plans were interrupted when Benson landed the lead role in “Running Brave,” a film about Billy Mills, the Native American runner who won Olympic gold in 1964.
Robby Benson and Karla DeVito at the premiere of “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas” at Cineplex Odeon Century Plaza Cinema in Century City, California, on November 6, 1997. | Source: Getty Images
The opportunity was too significant to pass up, so he cut his hair to military length and left for Canada to begin filming. But despite their busy careers, Benson and DeVito remained each others greatest supporters.
DeVito continued to pursue her music career, working on a rock opera titled “Bloody Bess,” while Benson wrote and performed songs for major films.
Karla DeVito and Robby Benson photographed at the Cherry Lane Theatre in the West Village on March 2, 2004. | Source: Getty Images
Their marriage defied the odds of Hollywood relationships, and DeVito credited Benson with changing her perspective on marriage. She said:
“He was the first person I met who spoke of marriage in a real sense. He had such a lovely way of talking about the future.”
Benson, in turn, found unwavering support in his wife. “She reminds me of whats important,” he revealed. “And she makes me laugh.”
Robby Benson and Karla DeVito at the “Beauty and the Beast” sing-a-long premiere and DVD release party at the El Capitan Theatre on October 2, 2010, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
A Lifetime of Love and Family
By 2019, Benson and DeVito had been married for nearly 40 years, a rare feat in Hollywood. The former teen idol proclaimed:
“I am so grateful that I found her. Both of us love to laugh, even at ourselves. Karlas so much a part of who I am and how I think. Shes made my soul better, and hopefully, I can do that for her.”
Robby Benson and Karla DeVito performing at the Cherry Lane Theater Gala held at The Cherry Lane Theater on April 3, 2006, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
He also expressed his devotion to his wife on social media. In August 2016, he took to Facebook to share a heartfelt tribute to DeVito, writing in part, “This lady, who has held my hand for more than 30 years, is one of my greatest motivations for not only getting out of bed in the morning, but for living life to the absolute fullest.”
The couples daughter eventually started a family of her own, making Benson and DeVito proud grandparents.
Benson has also channeled his love for his wife into his music, writing songs over the years that express his deep admiration and devotion to her.
Robby Benson and Karla DeVito on day one of the Chiller Theatre Expo at Sheraton Parsippany Hotel on October 23, 2015, in New Jersey. | Source: Getty Images
In 2021, to celebrate their 39th anniversary, he wrote “With All of My Heart,” a heartfelt tribute to their enduring bond. Four years later, in 2025, he continued the tradition by writing “I Want You for Myself” as a special Valentines Day gift for his wife.
Benson and DeVitos love is not only reflected in his music but also in the life they built together. Over the years, the couple welcomed two children — son Zephyr, a filmmaker, and daughter Lyric, a singer.
“My sons written, directed, and starred in a feature film called Straight Outta Tompkins,” Benson shared. “I executive produced that, and he was able to make it for under $200,000 in New York City, and it was a union film. It shows you how brilliant he is.”
Karla DeVito and Robby Benson with their children, Lyric and Zephyr Benson, at the premiere of “Beauty & The Beast” on November 6, 1997. | Source: Getty Images
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“I produced my daughters album, Lyrics Love Light Revolution,” he added. The couples daughter eventually started a family of her own, making Benson and DeVito proud grandparents. “Being a grandparent is the greatest feeling you could ever wish to experience!” Benson gushed.
Robby Benson and Karla DeVito photographed with their daughter in London, England, in 1989. | Source: Getty Images
The experience gave him a fresh perspective, making him reevaluate his time and priorities. He shared:
“This is a very healthy time, filled with even more love — if thats possible! I hope Im the best I can possibly be as a grandfather, father, and husband.”
AdvertisementOvercoming Challenges and Continuing His Passion
Despite his enduring success and happy family life, Benson faced significant health struggles over the years. He underwent four open-heart surgeries to correct a murmur and valve issues, a battle that tested his strength and resilience.
Robby Benson at a preview event at the Magical Memories Fine Art Gallery inside The Forum Shops At Caesars on August 10, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
Nonetheless, he never let these challenges define him. By 2019, after an eight-year break from acting, he returned to the screen in “A Feeling of Home,” a Hallmark Channel movie in which he played a father helping his daughter reconnect with her roots.
Robby Benson at Hallmarks “Home & Family” at Universal Studios Hollywood on May 8, 2019, in California. | Source: Getty Images
“Nothing gave me that feeling of I really want to do this until this script — its beautifully written,” he said. Bensons passion for acting remained strong, and in 2025, he took on a new and unexpected role, joining the cast of “Severance” as Dr. Mauer.
The role showcased his ability to take on complex and sinister characters, proving that even after decades in the industry, he was still willing to challenge himself in new ways.
Through career changes, personal challenges, and raising a family, Robby Benson and Karla DeVitos love has only deepened. Even after decades together, he still finds new ways to show his devotion — especially through music.
