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Robby Benson

Robby Benson (born Robin David Segal; January 21, 1956)[1] is an American actor and director. He rose to prominence as a teen idol in the late 1970s, appearing in the sports films One on One (1977) and Ice Castles (1978). He subsequently garnered more fame for portraying the voice of Beast in the Disney animated film Beauty and the Beast (1991) and its numerous sequels and spin-offs. He later directed television, including six episodes of the sitcom Friends.

Robby Benson
Benson at GalaxyCon Minneapolis in 2019
Born
Robin David Segal

(1956-01-21) January 21, 1956 (age 67)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • television director
  • singer
  • composer
  • teacher
Years active1965–present
Spouse
(m. 1982)
Children2
Parent(s)Jerry Segal
Freda Ann Benson
WebsiteRobbyBenson.net

In addition to acting and directing, Benson is an activist in the field of heart research, having undergone four open-heart surgeries since age 28 to correct congenital aortic valve defects and related damage. In 2012, he published a memoir recounting his medical journey and numerous surgeries.

Early life

Benson was born in Dallas, Texas, the son of Freda Ann (née Benson), a singer, actor, and business promotions manager, and Jerry Segal, a writer.[2] His family is Jewish.[3][4] When Benson was five years old, his family relocated to New York City, where he was raised.[2] He subsequently took his mother's name as his stage name when he was 10.[4][5] Benson attended the Lincoln Square Academy in Manhattan, where he graduated at age fourteen as the class valedictorian.[2]

Career

Benson made his film debut with an uncredited role in Wait Until Dark (1967) as the Boy Tossing Ball and his Broadway debut in The Rothschilds (1970).[6] Benson had an early role on the daytime soap Search for Tomorrow (1971–1972). As a film actor, Benson was well known for teenage roles in coming of age films, such as 1972's Jory, 1973's Jeremy, and as Billy Joe McAllister in 1976's Ode to Billy Joe.[7] He had an appearance in a 1973 commercial for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups alongside Donny Most who would later co-star in Happy Days.

In 1975, Benson appeared in Death Be Not Proud and Lucky Lady.[7] That year, he also screen tested for the role of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, a role which eventually went to Mark Hamill. In 1977, Benson starred in One on One[7] (which he co-wrote with his father and needed no double for the authentic looking college basketball scenes due to his prowess at the game) and the TV movie The Death of Richie. In 1978, he co-starred in The End and Ice Castles.[7] Benson, who had never ice skated before, learned to skate in order to film the movie, which had numerous skating scenes, including ice hockey.[8] In 1980, Benson starred in Die Laughing and Tribute.[9]

In 1981, he costarred in The Chosen, based on the book of the same name by Chaim Potok.[7][8] The New York Times gave the film a mixed review, but noted that Benson's character was "full of a gentle inquisitiveness that cannot help but win the audience's sympathy."[10][11] Benson played Olympic 10,000-meter gold medalist Billy Mills in the 1983 film Running Brave. From the filming of this movie Benson implemented his training for the 1983 New York City Marathon, completing the race in 3:05:15.[12] In 1991, he starred as the voice of Beast in the animated Disney film Beauty and the Beast. Later in the 1990s he voiced lead character J.T. Marsh on the sci-fi cartoon series Exosquad.[13]

 
Benson in 2007

His 2007 novel Who Stole the Funny?: A Novel of Hollywood landed Benson on the Los Angeles Times Bestseller list.[14] Benson's medical memoir I'm Not Dead ... Yet! was released in June 2012.[15] Outside of acting, Benson is also a musician and composer.[16] He has composed songs in several films and has also won a RIAA Gold Records award for the song "We Are Not Alone" in the John Hughes film The Breakfast Club.[16]

Benson has been a professor at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, the University of Utah and the University of South Carolina.[17] It was announced he would serve as a professor of Practice in the fall of 2013 at Indiana University.[18] Benson left the university after the Spring 2016 semester when his three-year contract expired.[19]

Personal life

Benson has been married to singer and actress Karla DeVito since July 11, 1982. The pair met while starring together in The Pirates of Penzance.[20] Together they have two children, daughter Lyric (b. 1983) and son Zephyr (b. 1992).[21] He practices Transcendental Meditation.[8]

Health problems and activism

While a teenager, Benson was diagnosed with a heart murmur caused by a bicuspid aortic valve defect.[22] Benson began experiencing symptoms such as dizziness and losing consciousness in his late twenties, and subsequently underwent his first open-heart surgery in October 1984 to repair the valve defect.[23][24] He received a bovine valve transplant, which lasted fifteen years.[25] After the bovine valve failed, Benson was required to have a second surgery in 2000,[26] during which he underwent the Ross procedure. For six years after his second surgery, Benson had consistent struggles breathing.[25] He subsequently underwent a third open-heart surgery, during which it was discovered that his aortic valve had buckled from the previous procedure and was closed approximately 90%, accounting for the breathing problems he had endured for the previous six years.[25] Benson received a delicate fourth surgery known as the "reverse Ross procedure" to correct damage to his heart in 2010.[27]

Benson is an activist and fundraiser for heart research, which, in 2004, led him to write the book, lyrics and music for an original Off-Broadway play called Open Heart, in which he also starred.[28] Benson also has spoken about his dealing with post-surgical cardiac depression, commenting after his fourth surgery:

They still saw your chest right down the middle, but they've done it [to me] enough that you no longer think about it as life-threatening. It's just a very tough surgery to go through. Doctors have also gotten better at helping you through the healing process. How we heal and how we deal with cardiac depression and how we can jump start our lives and get back on track. Doctors used to never talk about things like that and now they do.[27]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1967 Wait Until Dark Boy tossing ball Uncredited
1973 Jory Jory Walden
1973 Jeremy Jeremy Jones Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Male
1975 Lucky Lady Billy
1975 Death Be Not Proud Johnny Gunther
1976 Ode to Billy Joe Billy Joe McAllister
1977 The Death of Richie Richie
1977 One on One Henry Steele
1978 The End Father Dave Benson
1978 Ice Castles Nick Peterson
1979 Walk Proud Emilio Mendez Stinker Award for Worst Fake Accent: Male
Stinker Award for Worst Actor
1980 Die Laughing Pinsky Stinker Award for Most Annoying Fake Accent: Male
Nominated — Stinker Award for Worst Actor
Nominated — Stinker Award for Worst Song or Song Performance in a Film or End Credits
1980 Tribute Jud Templeton Nominated — Stinker Award for Worst Actor
1981 The Chosen Danny Saunders
1982 Movie Madness Brent Falcone
1983 Running Brave Billy Mills
1984 Harry & Son Howard Keach Nominated — Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor
1985 City Limits Carver
1987 Rent-a-Cop Pitts
1989 White Hot Scott Also director
1990 Modern Love Greg Also writer, director and producer
1991 Beauty and the Beast The Beast/Prince (voice) Nominated — Grammy Award for Album of the Year
1992 Invasion of Privacy Alex Pruitt
1993 Deadly Exposure Max Pierce
1997 Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas The Beast/Prince (voice) Direct-to-video
1998 Belle's Magical World Direct-to-video
1999 Belle's Tales of Friendship Direct-to-video
2000 Dragonheart: A New Beginning Drake (voice) Direct-to-video
2000 The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus Young Santa Claus (voice)
2001 Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse The Beast/Prince (voice) Direct-to-video
2002 Just a Dream Dr. Sturbuck
2004 MXP: Most Xtreme Primate Edward
2011 Brave New World Damon Heller
2019 Apple Seed Sirom

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1971–1972 Search for Tomorrow Bruce Carson 2 episodes
1974 Remember When Frankie Hodges Television film
1974 All the Kind Strangers John Television film
1974 Virginia Hill Leroy Small Television film
1975 Death Be Not Proud Johnny Gunther Television film
1976 One Day at a Time Ken Episode: "The College Man"
1976 The Last of Mrs. Lincoln Tad Lincoln Television film
1977 The Death of Richie Richie Werner Television film
1977 Our Town George Gibbs Television film
1982 Two of a Kind Noel 'Nolie' Minor Television film
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
1985 California Girls Nathan Bowzer Television film
1985 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Ed Episode: "Method Actor"
1985 The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible David (voice) Episode: "David and Goliath"
1986 Tough Cookies Det. Cliff Brady 6 episodes
1986 David and Goliath David (voice) Video short
1989 For Jenny with Love Bud TV series
1990 Deadly Nightmares Bart Episode: "Tourist Trap"
1991–1993 The Legend of Prince Valiant Prince Valiant (voice) 65 episodes
1992 P.J. Sparkles Blaze (voice) Animated television film
1992 Batman: The Animated Series Wilkes (voice) Episode: "P.O.V."
1992 Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa Additional voices 3 episodes
1992 Homewrecker David Whitson Television film
1992 Lincoln William Stoddard (voice) Television film
1993 Tales of Avonlea Jonathan Ravenhurst Blackwell Episode: "The Disappearance"
1993 At Home with the Webbers Roger Swade Television film
1993 Precious Victims Robert Sims Television film
1993–1994 Exosquad Lt./Lt. Cmdr J.T. Marsh (voice) 52 episodes
1994 The Magic School Bus Archibald Seedplot (voice) Episode: "Goes to Seed"
1996 O. Henry's Christmas Jim Television film
1996 Caroline in the City Robby Benson Episode: "Caroline and the Movie"
1996–1997 Sabrina the Teenage Witch Edward Spellman 2 episodes
2000 The Christmas Lamb Asah (voice) Animated television film
2001 The Huntress Dana Weatherly Episode: "Who Are You?"
2001–2002 Disney's House of Mouse The Beast/Prince Adam (voice) 7 episodes
2002–2003 American Dreams Prof. Witt 8 episodes
2019 A Feeling of Home Wes (Abby's dad) Hallmark Channel Television Film
TBA Severance Season 2

Video games

Video games
Year Title Role Notes
1992 King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow Prince Alexander (voice)
2000 Disney's Beauty and the Beast Magical Ballroom The Beast/Prince (voice)
2002 Kingdom Hearts The Beast/Prince (voice)
2006 Kingdom Hearts II The Beast/Prince (voice)
2011 Kinect Disneyland Adventures The Beast/Prince (voice)
2022 Cookie Run Kingdom Beast Cookie (voice)

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes
1970 The Rothschilds Urchin Broadway
1981 The Pirates of Penzance Frederic
2004 Open Heart Jimmy Off-Broadway

Production credits

Director

  • White Hot (1989)
  • Modern Love (1990)
  • Family Album (TV Series) - 4 episodes
    • 1.3 "Guardian Angel" (1993)
    • 1.4 "Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall All You Gotta Do Is Call..." (1993)
    • 1.5 "Salon, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehn, Goodbye" (1993)
    • 1.6 "Will You Still Feed Me?" (1993)
  • Evening Shade (TV Series) - 8 episodes
    • 3.14 "Private School" (1993)
    • 3.22 "Teaching Is a Good Thing" (1993)
    • 3.24 "The Graduation" (1993)
    • 4.8 "Wood and Evan's Excellent Adventure" (1993)
    • 4.11 "Chain of Fools" (1993)
    • 4.12 "Sleepless in Arkansas" (1993)
    • 4.14 "The People's Choice" (1994)
  • Monty (TV Series) - 2 episodes
    • 1.3 "The Son Also Rises" (1994)
    • 1.6 "Baby Talk" (1994)
  • Muddling Through (TV Series) - 2 episodes
    • 1.2 "Let It Be Normal" (1994)
    • 1.5 "Second Time's the Charm" (1994)
  • Good Advice (TV Series) - 2 episodes
    • 2.3 "Divorce, Egyptian Style" (1994)
    • 2.12 "Lights, Camera, Friction!" (1994)
  • The George Wendt Show (TV Show) - 1 episode
    • 1.2 "A Need for See" (1995)
  • Bringing Up Jack (TV Series) - 1 episode
  • Thunder Alley (TV Series) - 21 episodes
    • 1.2 "The Love Triangle" (1994)
    • 1.4 "Girls' Night Out" (1994)
    • 1.5 "Bloodsuckers" (1994)
    • 1.6 "Happy Endings" (1994)
    • 2.1 "Never Say Die" (1994)
    • 2.2 "Speak No Evil" (1994)
    • 2.3 "Easy Money" (1994)
    • 2.4 "Get a Job" (1994)
    • 2.5 "First Date" (1994)
    • 2.6 "Give 'Em Hell, Bobbi" (1994)
    • 2.7 "Sex, Lies & Popcorn" (1994)
    • 2.8 "The Garage Sale" (1994)
    • 2.9 "Accidentally at First Sight" (1995)
    • 2.10 "Are We There Yet?" (1995)
    • 2.12 "The Trouble with Harry" (1995)
    • 2.13 "Workin' Man's Blues" (1995)
    • 2.14 "A Little Me Time" (1995)
    • 2.15 "I Am Spartacus" (1995)
    • 2.17 "Just a Vacation" (1995)
    • 2.18 "Buzz Off, Buzzard Boy" (1995)
    • 2.19 "No Swing Set" (1995)
  • Dream On (TV Series) - 1 episodes
    • 6.1 "Try Not to Remember" (1995)
  • Ellen (TV Series) - 25 episodes
    • 3.1 "Shake, Rattle and Rumble" (1995)
    • 3.2 "These Successful Friends of Mine" (1995)
    • 3.3 "The Shower Scene" (1995)
    • 3.4 "The Bridges of L.A. County" (1995)
    • 3.5 "Hello, I Must Be Going" (1995)
    • 3.6 "Trick or Treat - Who Cares?" (1995)
    • 3.7 "She Ain't Friendly, She's My Mother" (1995)
    • 3.8 "Salad Days" (1995)
    • 3.9 "The Movie Show" (1995)
    • 3.10 "What's Up, Ex-Doc?" (1995)
    • 3.11 "Ellen's Choice" (1995)
    • 3.12 "Do You Fear What I Fear?" (1995)
    • 3.13 "Horschak's Law" (1996)
    • 3.14 "Morgan, P.I." (1996)
    • 3.15 "Oh, Sweet Rapture" (1996)
    • 3.16 "Witness" (1996)
    • 3.17 "Ellen: With Child" (1996)
    • 3.18 "Lobster Diary" (1996)
    • 3.19 "Two Ring Circus" (1996)
    • 3.20 "A Penney Saved..." (1996)
    • 3.21 "Too Hip for the Room" (1996)
    • 3.22 "Two Mammograms and a Wedding" (1996)
    • 3.23 "Go Girlz" (1996)
    • 3.24 "When the Vow Breaks: Part 1" (1996)
    • 3.26 "When the Vow Breaks: Part 2" (1996)
  • Life with Roger (TV Series) - 1 episode
  • Pearl (TV Series) - 1 episodes
    • 1.2 "Teacher's Pet" (1996)
  • Common Law (TV Series) - 1 episodes
    • 1.1 "Pilot" (1996)
  • Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (TV Series) - 3 episodes
    • 1.1 "Pilot" (1996)
    • 1.10 "Sweet & Sour Victory (1996)
    • 1.17 "First Kiss" (1997)
  • Friends (TV Series) - 6 episodes
    • 1.22 "The One with the Ick Factor" (1995)
    • 3.12 "The One with All the Jealousy" (1997)
    • 3.13 "The One Where Monica and Richard Are Just Friends" (1997)
    • 3.14 "The One with Phoebe's Ex-Partner" (1997)
    • 3.18 "The One with the Hypnosis Tape" (1997)
    • 3.24 "The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion" (1997)
  • House Rules (TV Series) - 1 episodes
    • 1.7 "Who Knew?" (1998)
  • The Naked Truth (TV Series) - 14 episodes
    • 2.8 "The Scoop" (1997)
    • 2.9 "The Birds" (1997)
    • 3.1 "Things Change" (1997)
    • 3.2 "Her Girl Friday" (1997)
    • 3.3 "Bully for Dave" (1997)
    • 3.4 "Liesl Weapon" (1997)
    • 3.5 "Bridesface Revisited" (1997)
    • 3.7 "Look at Me! Look at Me!" (1997)
    • 3.12 "Women on the Verge of a Rhytidectomy" (1998)
    • 3.13 "8 1/2" (1998)
    • 3.14 "The Neighbor of Bath" (1998)
    • 3.15 "Day of the Locos" (1998)
    • 3.17 "Born to Be Wilde" (1998)
    • 3.16 "Muddy for Nothing" (1998)
  • Reunited (TV Series) - 1 episodes
  • Brother's Keeper (TV Series) - 1 episode
    • 1.12 "The Date" (1999)
  • Jesse (TV Series) - 8 episodes
    • 1.2 "Goober Up the Nose" (1998)
    • 1.3 "Bees Do It, Birds Do It, But Not in a Car" (1998)
    • 1.4 "Live Nude Girls" (1998)
    • 1.5 "Boo! He's Back" (1998)
    • 1.6 "The Methadone Clinic" (1998)
    • 1.7 "The Kiss" (1998)
    • 1.8 "The Cheese Ship" (1998)
    • 1.13 "My Casual Friend's Wedding" (1999)
  • Dharma & Greg (TV Series) - 1 episode
    • 4.7 "Mad Secretaries and Englishmen" (2000)
  • Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (TV Series) - 2 episodes
    • 4.10 "Rescue Me" (2000)
    • 4.19 "The Love Boat" (2001)
  • The Huntress (TV Series) - 4 episodes
    • 1.10 "Black Widow" (2001)
    • 1.15 "Generations" (2001)
    • 1.19 "Undercover" (2001)
    • 1.23 "Showdown" (2001)
  • Bob Patterson (TV Series) - 1 episodes
    • 1.5 "Bathroom Bob" (2001)
  • 8 Simple Rules (TV Series) - 2 episodes
    • 2.2 "Sex Ed" (2003)
    • 2.3 "Donny Goes AWOL" (2003)
  • I'm with Her (TV Series) - 2 episodes
    • 1.9 "Meet the Parent" (2003)
    • 1.10 "The Greatest Christmas Story Ever Told" (2003)
  • Baby Bob (TV Series) - 2 episodes
    • 2.6 "You Don't Know Jack" (2003)
    • 2.5 "Boys Will Be Girls" (2003)
  • Complete Savages (TV Series) - 1 episode
    • 1.5 "Car Jack" (2004)
  • Billy: The Early Years (2008)

Producer

  • Die Laughing (1980)
  • Modern Love (1990)
  • Caligo (2014)
  • Unwelcome (2014)
  • Calypso (2014)
  • Straight Outta Tompkins (2015)

Writer

Composer

  • Walk Proud (1979)
  • Unwelcome (2014)
  • Straight Outta Tompkins (2015)

Discography

Singles

  • "Blue Balloon (The Hourglass Song)" (1973)
  • "Hey Everybody" (1974)
  • "A Rock and Roll Song" (1975)
  • "Adios Yesterday" (1979)
  • "All I Want Is Love" (1980)

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Title Result
1974 Golden Globe Most Promising Newcomer - Male Jeremy Nominated
1979 Stinker Award Worst Actor
Worst Fake Accent: Male
Walk Proud Won
1980 Stinker Award Worst Actor Die Laughing, Tribute Nominated
1980 Stinker Award Worst Song or Song Performance in a Film or End Credits Die Laughing Won
1980 Stinker Award Worst Fake Accent: Male Die Laughing Won
1983 Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Two of a Kind Nominated
1985 Razzie Awards Worst Supporting Actor Harry & Son Nominated
1993 Grammy Award Album of the Year Beauty and the Beast Nominated
1995 CableACE Award Directing a Comedy Series Dream On Nominated

References

  1. ^ Rose, Mike (January 21, 2023). "Today's famous birthdays list for January 21, 2023 includes celebrities Luke Grimes, Geena Davis". Cleveland.com. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Reilly, Sue (July 11, 1979). "To Jon Peters, Robby Benson Is Today's 'Greatest Young Talent'—Women Like Him Too". People. Archived from the original on October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  3. ^ Gordon, Buzz (July 4, 2003). "Pulling Up Stakes". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved December 13, 2006.
  4. ^ a b Roston, Tom (October 12, 2008). "Robby Benson directs 'Billy: The Early Years'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
  5. ^ Maslin, Janet (August 19, 1977). "One-on-one Star And Writer Robby Benson Elated By Role..." St. Petersburg Times. p. 14D. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
  6. ^ "Wait Until Dark". RareFilmFinder. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Robby Benson". TV Guide. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  8. ^ a b c Benson, Robby (2012). I'm Not Dead Yet!. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0983141655.
  9. ^ "Film Reviews: Tribute". Variety. December 31, 1979. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  10. ^ Maslin, Janet (April 30, 1982). "Movie review: 'The Chosen'". The New York Times. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  11. ^ Bloom, Harold, ed. (2005). Chaim Potok's "The Chosen". Chelsea House. p. 15. ISBN 978-0791081730.
  12. ^ "Robby Benson: 1983 New York City Marathon Results and Info". NYRR Race Results. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  13. ^ Paul, Trey (September 26, 1993). "ACTOR ROBBY BENSON PREACHES WHAT HE PRACTICES". The Buffalo News. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  14. ^ Benson, Robby (October 13, 2009). Who Stole the Funny?: A Novel of Hollywood. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0061756092.
  15. ^ Host:Guy Raz (September 29, 2012). "Actor Robby Benson Is 'Not Dead ... Yet!'". All Things Considered. NPR. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  16. ^ a b "Bio & Photos". Robby Benson Official. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  17. ^ . Robby Benson Official. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  18. ^ "Actor and director Robby Benson to join Indiana University's telecommunications faculty" (Press release). Indiana University. March 25, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  19. ^ Creps, Marcela (April 25, 2016). "Robbie Benson leaving IU, having made a lasting impact". Bloomington Herald-Times. Retrieved May 3, 2017 – via Indiana University.
  20. ^ Mackay, Kathy (October 11, 1982). "Gilbert and Sullivan's Most Improbable Pair? Robby Benson and Rocker Karla DeVito". People. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  21. ^ Roston, Tom (October 12, 2008). "The odd career twist of a former screen heartthrob". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  22. ^ Ordoña, Michael (July 20, 2012). "Robby Benson opens up about his heart in many ways in iBook". Los Angeles Times. from the original on October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  23. ^ "Actor Robby Benson, who underwent heart surgery Oct. 31, has been discharged". United Press International. November 10, 1984. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  24. ^ Fleeman, Mike (October 4, 2012). "Robby Benson: Inside His 'Brutal Experience' of Four Heart Surgeries". People. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  25. ^ a b c "Robby Benson's Open Heart Surgeries". The Doctors. October 3, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  26. ^ Bowles, Scott (September 26, 2012). "Benson is alive and talking—about health". USA Today. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  27. ^ a b "Robby Benson and the secret he kept from Hollywood". The Maine Edge. December 13, 2012. Archived from the original on October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  28. ^ Genzlinger, Neil (March 23, 2004). "Theater in Review: Words Can Never Harm Him, But Cardiac Arrest Can". The New York Times. Retrieved October 18, 2011.

External links

robby, benson, irish, footballer, robbie, benson, born, robin, david, segal, january, 1956, american, actor, director, rose, prominence, teen, idol, late, 1970s, appearing, sports, films, 1977, castles, 1978, subsequently, garnered, more, fame, portraying, voi. For the Irish footballer see Robbie Benson Robby Benson born Robin David Segal January 21 1956 1 is an American actor and director He rose to prominence as a teen idol in the late 1970s appearing in the sports films One on One 1977 and Ice Castles 1978 He subsequently garnered more fame for portraying the voice of Beast in the Disney animated film Beauty and the Beast 1991 and its numerous sequels and spin offs He later directed television including six episodes of the sitcom Friends Robby BensonBenson at GalaxyCon Minneapolis in 2019BornRobin David Segal 1956 01 21 January 21 1956 age 67 Dallas Texas U S OccupationsActor television director singer composer teacherYears active1965 presentSpouseKarla DeVito m 1982 wbr Children2Parent s Jerry SegalFreda Ann BensonWebsiteRobbyBenson netIn addition to acting and directing Benson is an activist in the field of heart research having undergone four open heart surgeries since age 28 to correct congenital aortic valve defects and related damage In 2012 he published a memoir recounting his medical journey and numerous surgeries Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 3 1 Health problems and activism 4 Filmography 4 1 Film 4 2 Television 4 3 Video games 5 Theatre 6 Production credits 6 1 Director 6 2 Producer 6 3 Writer 6 4 Composer 7 Discography 7 1 Singles 8 Awards and nominations 9 References 10 External linksEarly life EditBenson was born in Dallas Texas the son of Freda Ann nee Benson a singer actor and business promotions manager and Jerry Segal a writer 2 His family is Jewish 3 4 When Benson was five years old his family relocated to New York City where he was raised 2 He subsequently took his mother s name as his stage name when he was 10 4 5 Benson attended the Lincoln Square Academy in Manhattan where he graduated at age fourteen as the class valedictorian 2 Career EditBenson made his film debut with an uncredited role in Wait Until Dark 1967 as the Boy Tossing Ball and his Broadway debut in The Rothschilds 1970 6 Benson had an early role on the daytime soap Search for Tomorrow 1971 1972 As a film actor Benson was well known for teenage roles in coming of age films such as 1972 s Jory 1973 sJeremy and as Billy Joe McAllister in 1976 s Ode to Billy Joe 7 He had an appearance in a 1973 commercial for Reese s Peanut Butter Cups alongside Donny Most who would later co star in Happy Days In 1975 Benson appeared in Death Be Not Proud and Lucky Lady 7 That year he also screen tested for the role of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars a role which eventually went to Mark Hamill In 1977 Benson starred in One on One 7 which he co wrote with his father and needed no double for the authentic looking college basketball scenes due to his prowess at the game and the TV movie The Death of Richie In 1978 he co starred in The End and Ice Castles 7 Benson who had never ice skated before learned to skate in order to film the movie which had numerous skating scenes including ice hockey 8 In 1980 Benson starred in Die Laughing and Tribute 9 In 1981 he costarred in The Chosen based on the book of the same name by Chaim Potok 7 8 The New York Times gave the film a mixed review but noted that Benson s character was full of a gentle inquisitiveness that cannot help but win the audience s sympathy 10 11 Benson played Olympic 10 000 meter gold medalist Billy Mills in the 1983 film Running Brave From the filming of this movie Benson implemented his training for the 1983 New York City Marathon completing the race in 3 05 15 12 In 1991 he starred as the voice of Beast in the animated Disney film Beauty and the Beast Later in the 1990s he voiced lead character J T Marsh on the sci fi cartoon series Exosquad 13 Benson in 2007 His 2007 novel Who Stole the Funny A Novel of Hollywood landed Benson on the Los Angeles Times Bestseller list 14 Benson s medical memoir I m Not Dead Yet was released in June 2012 15 Outside of acting Benson is also a musician and composer 16 He has composed songs in several films and has also won a RIAA Gold Records award for the song We Are Not Alone in the John Hughes film The Breakfast Club 16 Benson has been a professor at New York University s Tisch School of the Arts the University of Utah and the University of South Carolina 17 It was announced he would serve as a professor of Practice in the fall of 2013 at Indiana University 18 Benson left the university after the Spring 2016 semester when his three year contract expired 19 Personal life EditBenson has been married to singer and actress Karla DeVito since July 11 1982 The pair met while starring together in The Pirates of Penzance 20 Together they have two children daughter Lyric b 1983 and son Zephyr b 1992 21 He practices Transcendental Meditation 8 Health problems and activism Edit While a teenager Benson was diagnosed with a heart murmur caused by a bicuspid aortic valve defect 22 Benson began experiencing symptoms such as dizziness and losing consciousness in his late twenties and subsequently underwent his first open heart surgery in October 1984 to repair the valve defect 23 24 He received a bovine valve transplant which lasted fifteen years 25 After the bovine valve failed Benson was required to have a second surgery in 2000 26 during which he underwent the Ross procedure For six years after his second surgery Benson had consistent struggles breathing 25 He subsequently underwent a third open heart surgery during which it was discovered that his aortic valve had buckled from the previous procedure and was closed approximately 90 accounting for the breathing problems he had endured for the previous six years 25 Benson received a delicate fourth surgery known as the reverse Ross procedure to correct damage to his heart in 2010 27 Benson is an activist and fundraiser for heart research which in 2004 led him to write the book lyrics and music for an original Off Broadway play called Open Heart in which he also starred 28 Benson also has spoken about his dealing with post surgical cardiac depression commenting after his fourth surgery They still saw your chest right down the middle but they ve done it to me enough that you no longer think about it as life threatening It s just a very tough surgery to go through Doctors have also gotten better at helping you through the healing process How we heal and how we deal with cardiac depression and how we can jump start our lives and get back on track Doctors used to never talk about things like that and now they do 27 Filmography EditFilm Edit Year Title Role Notes1967 Wait Until Dark Boy tossing ball Uncredited1973 Jory Jory Walden1973 Jeremy Jeremy Jones Nominated Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer Male1975 Lucky Lady Billy1975 Death Be Not Proud Johnny Gunther1976 Ode to Billy Joe Billy Joe McAllister1977 The Death of Richie Richie1977 One on One Henry Steele1978 The End Father Dave Benson1978 Ice Castles Nick Peterson1979 Walk Proud Emilio Mendez Stinker Award for Worst Fake Accent MaleStinker Award for Worst Actor1980 Die Laughing Pinsky Stinker Award for Most Annoying Fake Accent MaleNominated Stinker Award for Worst ActorNominated Stinker Award for Worst Song or Song Performance in a Film or End Credits1980 Tribute Jud Templeton Nominated Stinker Award for Worst Actor1981 The Chosen Danny Saunders1982 Movie Madness Brent Falcone1983 Running Brave Billy Mills1984 Harry amp Son Howard Keach Nominated Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor1985 City Limits Carver1987 Rent a Cop Pitts1989 White Hot Scott Also director1990 Modern Love Greg Also writer director and producer1991 Beauty and the Beast The Beast Prince voice Nominated Grammy Award for Album of the Year1992 Invasion of Privacy Alex Pruitt1993 Deadly Exposure Max Pierce1997 Beauty and the Beast The Enchanted Christmas The Beast Prince voice Direct to video1998 Belle s Magical World Direct to video1999 Belle s Tales of Friendship Direct to video2000 Dragonheart A New Beginning Drake voice Direct to video2000 The Life amp Adventures of Santa Claus Young Santa Claus voice 2001 Mickey s Magical Christmas Snowed in at the House of Mouse The Beast Prince voice Direct to video2002 Just a Dream Dr Sturbuck2004 MXP Most Xtreme Primate Edward2011 Brave New World Damon Heller2019 Apple Seed SiromTelevision Edit Year Title Role Notes1971 1972 Search for Tomorrow Bruce Carson 2 episodes1974 Remember When Frankie Hodges Television film1974 All the Kind Strangers John Television film1974 Virginia Hill Leroy Small Television film1975 Death Be Not Proud Johnny Gunther Television film1976 One Day at a Time Ken Episode The College Man 1976 The Last of Mrs Lincoln Tad Lincoln Television film1977 The Death of Richie Richie Werner Television film1977 Our Town George Gibbs Television film1982 Two of a Kind Noel Nolie Minor Television film Nominated Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television1985 California Girls Nathan Bowzer Television film1985 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Ed Episode Method Actor 1985 The Greatest Adventure Stories from the Bible David voice Episode David and Goliath 1986 Tough Cookies Det Cliff Brady 6 episodes1986 David and Goliath David voice Video short1989 For Jenny with Love Bud TV series1990 Deadly Nightmares Bart Episode Tourist Trap 1991 1993 The Legend of Prince Valiant Prince Valiant voice 65 episodes1992 P J Sparkles Blaze voice Animated television film1992 Batman The Animated Series Wilkes voice Episode P O V 1992 Wild West C O W Boys of Moo Mesa Additional voices 3 episodes1992 Homewrecker David Whitson Television film1992 Lincoln William Stoddard voice Television film1993 Tales of Avonlea Jonathan Ravenhurst Blackwell Episode The Disappearance 1993 At Home with the Webbers Roger Swade Television film1993 Precious Victims Robert Sims Television film1993 1994 Exosquad Lt Lt Cmdr J T Marsh voice 52 episodes1994 The Magic School Bus Archibald Seedplot voice Episode Goes to Seed 1996 O Henry s Christmas Jim Television film1996 Caroline in the City Robby Benson Episode Caroline and the Movie 1996 1997 Sabrina the Teenage Witch Edward Spellman 2 episodes2000 The Christmas Lamb Asah voice Animated television film2001 The Huntress Dana Weatherly Episode Who Are You 2001 2002 Disney s House of Mouse The Beast Prince Adam voice 7 episodes2002 2003 American Dreams Prof Witt 8 episodes2019 A Feeling of Home Wes Abby s dad Hallmark Channel Television FilmTBA Severance Season 2Video games Edit Video gamesYear Title Role Notes1992 King s Quest VI Heir Today Gone Tomorrow Prince Alexander voice 2000 Disney s Beauty and the Beast Magical Ballroom The Beast Prince voice 2002 Kingdom Hearts The Beast Prince voice 2006 Kingdom Hearts II The Beast Prince voice 2011 Kinect Disneyland Adventures The Beast Prince voice 2022 Cookie Run Kingdom Beast Cookie voice Theatre EditYear Title Role Notes1970 The Rothschilds Urchin Broadway1981 The Pirates of Penzance Frederic2004 Open Heart Jimmy Off BroadwayProduction credits EditDirector Edit White Hot 1989 Modern Love 1990 Family Album TV Series 4 episodes 1 3 Guardian Angel 1993 1 4 Winter Spring Summer or Fall All You Gotta Do Is Call 1993 1 5 Salon Farewell Auf Wiedersehn Goodbye 1993 1 6 Will You Still Feed Me 1993 Evening Shade TV Series 8 episodes 3 14 Private School 1993 3 22 Teaching Is a Good Thing 1993 3 24 The Graduation 1993 4 8 Wood and Evan s Excellent Adventure 1993 4 11 Chain of Fools 1993 4 12 Sleepless in Arkansas 1993 4 14 The People s Choice 1994 Monty TV Series 2 episodes 1 3 The Son Also Rises 1994 1 6 Baby Talk 1994 Muddling Through TV Series 2 episodes 1 2 Let It Be Normal 1994 1 5 Second Time s the Charm 1994 Good Advice TV Series 2 episodes 2 3 Divorce Egyptian Style 1994 2 12 Lights Camera Friction 1994 The George Wendt Show TV Show 1 episode 1 2 A Need for See 1995 Bringing Up Jack TV Series 1 episode Thunder Alley TV Series 21 episodes 1 2 The Love Triangle 1994 1 4 Girls Night Out 1994 1 5 Bloodsuckers 1994 1 6 Happy Endings 1994 2 1 Never Say Die 1994 2 2 Speak No Evil 1994 2 3 Easy Money 1994 2 4 Get a Job 1994 2 5 First Date 1994 2 6 Give Em Hell Bobbi 1994 2 7 Sex Lies amp Popcorn 1994 2 8 The Garage Sale 1994 2 9 Accidentally at First Sight 1995 2 10 Are We There Yet 1995 2 12 The Trouble with Harry 1995 2 13 Workin Man s Blues 1995 2 14 A Little Me Time 1995 2 15 I Am Spartacus 1995 2 17 Just a Vacation 1995 2 18 Buzz Off Buzzard Boy 1995 2 19 No Swing Set 1995 Dream On TV Series 1 episodes 6 1 Try Not to Remember 1995 Ellen TV Series 25 episodes 3 1 Shake Rattle and Rumble 1995 3 2 These Successful Friends of Mine 1995 3 3 The Shower Scene 1995 3 4 The Bridges of L A County 1995 3 5 Hello I Must Be Going 1995 3 6 Trick or Treat Who Cares 1995 3 7 She Ain t Friendly She s My Mother 1995 3 8 Salad Days 1995 3 9 The Movie Show 1995 3 10 What s Up Ex Doc 1995 3 11 Ellen s Choice 1995 3 12 Do You Fear What I Fear 1995 3 13 Horschak s Law 1996 3 14 Morgan P I 1996 3 15 Oh Sweet Rapture 1996 3 16 Witness 1996 3 17 Ellen With Child 1996 3 18 Lobster Diary 1996 3 19 Two Ring Circus 1996 3 20 A Penney Saved 1996 3 21 Too Hip for the Room 1996 3 22 Two Mammograms and a Wedding 1996 3 23 Go Girlz 1996 3 24 When the Vow Breaks Part 1 1996 3 26 When the Vow Breaks Part 2 1996 Life with Roger TV Series 1 episode Pearl TV Series 1 episodes 1 2 Teacher s Pet 1996 Common Law TV Series 1 episodes 1 1 Pilot 1996 Sabrina the Teenage Witch TV Series 3 episodes 1 1 Pilot 1996 1 10 Sweet amp Sour Victory 1996 1 17 First Kiss 1997 Friends TV Series 6 episodes 1 22 The One with the Ick Factor 1995 3 12 The One with All the Jealousy 1997 3 13 The One Where Monica and Richard Are Just Friends 1997 3 14 The One with Phoebe s Ex Partner 1997 3 18 The One with the Hypnosis Tape 1997 3 24 The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion 1997 House Rules TV Series 1 episodes 1 7 Who Knew 1998 The Naked Truth TV Series 14 episodes 2 8 The Scoop 1997 2 9 The Birds 1997 3 1 Things Change 1997 3 2 Her Girl Friday 1997 3 3 Bully for Dave 1997 3 4 Liesl Weapon 1997 3 5 Bridesface Revisited 1997 3 7 Look at Me Look at Me 1997 3 12 Women on the Verge of a Rhytidectomy 1998 3 13 8 1 2 1998 3 14 The Neighbor of Bath 1998 3 15 Day of the Locos 1998 3 17 Born to Be Wilde 1998 3 16 Muddy for Nothing 1998 Reunited TV Series 1 episodes Brother s Keeper TV Series 1 episode 1 12 The Date 1999 Jesse TV Series 8 episodes 1 2 Goober Up the Nose 1998 1 3 Bees Do It Birds Do It But Not in a Car 1998 1 4 Live Nude Girls 1998 1 5 Boo He s Back 1998 1 6 The Methadone Clinic 1998 1 7 The Kiss 1998 1 8 The Cheese Ship 1998 1 13 My Casual Friend s Wedding 1999 Dharma amp Greg TV Series 1 episode 4 7 Mad Secretaries and Englishmen 2000 Two Guys a Girl and a Pizza Place TV Series 2 episodes 4 10 Rescue Me 2000 4 19 The Love Boat 2001 The Huntress TV Series 4 episodes 1 10 Black Widow 2001 1 15 Generations 2001 1 19 Undercover 2001 1 23 Showdown 2001 Bob Patterson TV Series 1 episodes 1 5 Bathroom Bob 2001 8 Simple Rules TV Series 2 episodes 2 2 Sex Ed 2003 2 3 Donny Goes AWOL 2003 I m with Her TV Series 2 episodes 1 9 Meet the Parent 2003 1 10 The Greatest Christmas Story Ever Told 2003 Baby Bob TV Series 2 episodes 2 6 You Don t Know Jack 2003 2 5 Boys Will Be Girls 2003 Complete Savages TV Series 1 episode 1 5 Car Jack 2004 Billy The Early Years 2008 Producer Edit Die Laughing 1980 Modern Love 1990 Caligo 2014 Unwelcome 2014 Calypso 2014 Straight Outta Tompkins 2015 Writer Edit One on One 1977 Die Laughing 1980 Modern Love 1990 Betrayal of the Dove 1993 Composer Edit Walk Proud 1979 Unwelcome 2014 Straight Outta Tompkins 2015 Discography EditSingles Edit Blue Balloon The Hourglass Song 1973 Hey Everybody 1974 A Rock and Roll Song 1975 Adios Yesterday 1979 All I Want Is Love 1980 Awards and nominations EditAwards and nominations Year Award Category Title Result1974 Golden Globe Most Promising Newcomer Male Jeremy Nominated1979 Stinker Award Worst ActorWorst Fake Accent Male Walk Proud Won1980 Stinker Award Worst Actor Die Laughing Tribute Nominated1980 Stinker Award Worst Song or Song Performance in a Film or End Credits Die Laughing Won1980 Stinker Award Worst Fake Accent Male Die Laughing Won1983 Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Two of a Kind Nominated1985 Razzie Awards Worst Supporting Actor Harry amp Son Nominated1993 Grammy Award Album of the Year Beauty and the Beast Nominated1995 CableACE Award Directing a Comedy Series Dream On NominatedReferences Edit Rose Mike January 21 2023 Today s famous birthdays list for January 21 2023 includes celebrities Luke Grimes Geena Davis Cleveland com Retrieved January 21 2023 a b c Reilly Sue July 11 1979 To Jon Peters Robby Benson Is Today s Greatest Young Talent Women Like Him Too People Archived from the original on October 1 2019 Retrieved October 1 2019 Gordon Buzz July 4 2003 Pulling Up Stakes The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles Retrieved December 13 2006 a b Roston Tom October 12 2008 Robby Benson directs Billy The Early Years Los Angeles Times Retrieved June 17 2009 Maslin Janet August 19 1977 One on one Star And Writer Robby Benson Elated By Role St Petersburg Times p 14D Retrieved June 17 2009 Wait Until Dark RareFilmFinder Retrieved May 30 2011 a b c d e Robby Benson TV Guide Retrieved October 16 2019 a b c Benson Robby 2012 I m Not Dead Yet HarperCollins ISBN 978 0983141655 Film Reviews Tribute Variety December 31 1979 Retrieved May 3 2017 Maslin Janet April 30 1982 Movie review The Chosen The New York Times Retrieved October 18 2011 Bloom Harold ed 2005 Chaim Potok s The Chosen Chelsea House p 15 ISBN 978 0791081730 Robby Benson 1983 New York City Marathon Results and Info NYRR Race Results Retrieved February 3 2022 Paul Trey September 26 1993 ACTOR ROBBY BENSON PREACHES WHAT HE PRACTICES The Buffalo News Retrieved May 3 2017 Benson Robby October 13 2009 Who Stole the Funny A Novel of Hollywood HarperCollins ISBN 978 0061756092 Host Guy Raz September 29 2012 Actor Robby Benson Is Not Dead Yet All Things Considered NPR Retrieved May 3 2017 a b Bio amp Photos Robby Benson Official Retrieved July 12 2021 Teaching Robby Benson Official Archived from the original on April 29 2009 Retrieved March 25 2013 Actor and director Robby Benson to join Indiana University s telecommunications faculty Press release Indiana University March 25 2013 Retrieved May 3 2017 Creps Marcela April 25 2016 Robbie Benson leaving IU having made a lasting impact Bloomington Herald Times Retrieved May 3 2017 via Indiana University Mackay Kathy October 11 1982 Gilbert and Sullivan s Most Improbable Pair Robby Benson and Rocker Karla DeVito People Retrieved January 21 2016 Roston Tom October 12 2008 The odd career twist of a former screen heartthrob Los Angeles Times Retrieved January 21 2016 Ordona Michael July 20 2012 Robby Benson opens up about his heart in many ways in iBook Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on October 1 2019 Retrieved October 1 2019 Actor Robby Benson who underwent heart surgery Oct 31 has been discharged United Press International November 10 1984 Retrieved October 1 2019 Fleeman Mike October 4 2012 Robby Benson Inside His Brutal Experience of Four Heart Surgeries People Retrieved September 30 2018 a b c Robby Benson s Open Heart Surgeries The Doctors October 3 2012 Retrieved October 1 2019 Bowles Scott September 26 2012 Benson is alive and talking about health USA Today Retrieved October 1 2019 a b Robby Benson and the secret he kept from Hollywood The Maine Edge December 13 2012 Archived from the original on October 1 2019 Retrieved October 1 2019 Genzlinger Neil March 23 2004 Theater in Review Words Can Never Harm Him But Cardiac Arrest Can The New York Times Retrieved October 18 2011 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Robby Benson Official website Robby Benson at IMDb Robby Benson at the Internet Broadway Database Robby Benson at the Internet Off Broadway Database Robby Benson at the TCM Movie Database Robby Benson at Rotten Tomatoes Robby Benson at AllMovie Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Robby Benson amp oldid 1134954136, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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