70s Icon Still Serenades His Wife after 40 Years of Marriage — A Love That Lasts
’70s Heartthrob Has Been Married for 40 Years & Still Declares His Love to His Wife with Songs
The former adolescent star’s charisma and talent captivated audiences as he soared to popularity in the 1970s.
Beyond the limelight, however, his most significant contribution has been as a loyal husband. He continues to use music to convey his love after over 40 years of marriage, demonstrating that genuine passion never goes out of style.
Robby Benson will always be cherished by many as the youthful television and movie star of the 1970s. His true love story, however, has been even more fascinating behind the scenes.
Prolonged romance isn’t limited to Hollywood scripts, as the Hollywood icon has been married to his singer and actress wife since the early 1980s.
Check out their decades-long relationship and the touching ways Benson still honors the woman who has supported him.
A Romance That Persisted Onstage
Beginning in the 1970s, Benson’s career took off, and he soon became a teenage idol. He became well-known due to his boyish charm, acting prowess, and commitment to his craft.
He would meet Karla DeVito, the love of his life, on stage, not on a movie set or in front of adoring fans.
He enthralled audiences with his passionate performances whether he was performing on TV, in movies, or as a musician. “The best thing is interacting with people,” he thought. Nothing goes wrong if you pause and meet their gaze. It took place on “Ice Castles.”
“I said I’d stay to sign autographs because there were about 8,000 [restless extras], and then they were the best crowd,” he continued. [Later] I was in excruciating pain at home and turned on the television after breaking my hip in a hockey scene.”
“These young ladies yelled, ‘I saw him!'” I made contact with him! After that, they displayed my photo. ‘That can’t be right,’ I thought. It was hilarious. “I never considered myself a celebrity,” the former teenage idol continued.
Benson stayed grounded in spite of the commotion surrounding his name. Even though he had already had several memorable events in his career, the most transformative one was still to come.
He would meet Karla DeVito, the love of his life, on stage, not on a movie set or in front of adoring fans. When DeVito replaced Linda Ronstadt as Mabel in the Broadway version of “The Pirates of Penzance,” their romance officially began in 1980.
Although they appeared to be a perfect fit in retrospect, DeVito wasn’t actively seeking love when she met Benson, so their romance wasn’t without its hesitancy.
Cast as Frederic, Benson was immediately attracted to her. DeVito had a remarkable presence; he was lively, affable, and had a strong voice.
Their bond grew stronger while they were working together. They did eight acts a week, and their relationship on stage reflected their developing love off-stage. Later, Benson remembered:
“As soon as I met her, I fell deeply in love with her. And even though I’ve worked in show business my entire life, I’ve only truly met a handful of real artists. And Karla is one. Since we fell in love, we have been creating songs; we have sold one for Diana Ross and another for “The Breakfast Club.”
Although they appeared to be a perfect fit in retrospect, DeVito wasn’t actively seeking love when she met Benson, so their romance wasn’t without its hesitancy.
“I was going on a nice, smooth course, and I wasn’t expecting to fall madly in love with anyone,” she said.
To exacerbate the situation, Benson required encouragement to approach DeVito because he was a recluse.
The push came from Dan Berlinghoff, the show’s music conductor, who decided to step in and organize lunch dates for Benson with different cast members because he was worried about his loneliness. All it took was Benson’s initial connection with DeVito.
The two soon realized they had been admiring each other’s work for a while. As Benson put it, “I’ve been working since I was a baby, and I’ve never been blown away by a performance, but when I heard Karla sing I was impressed to the point of being embarrassed.” Benson was so moved by DeVito’s voice.
Benson, on the other hand, impressed DeVito with his kindness, talent, and surprising comedy. She stated:
“I really liked him. He was a beautiful, modest man and very inventive. I had assumed he was quite serious. It was entertaining to discover that he also walked into walls and juggled plates.
As their connection developed rapidly, Benson knew he wanted to wed her in as little as two months. However, DeVito’s departure for a three-month record promotion tour put their romance to the test early on.
Benson was devastated by the split, even though she had written “Faith” on his dressing room mirror as a token of her devotion.
When Benson departed “The Pirates of Penzance” in early 1981, however, their relationship remained strong, and he invited DeVito to live with him in California.
DeVito praised Benson with altering her view of marriage, and their union bucked the norms of Hollywood partnerships.
She agreed, and on July 11, 1981, they were married in Mokena, Illinois, DeVito’s hometown. During the ceremony of their incredibly emotional wedding, they sang a duet of a song Benson had composed called “I Believe in Fate.”
“There wasn’t a dry eye in the room,” DeVito remembered. Unfortunately, when Benson was cast in the lead role of “Running Brave,” a movie about the 1964 Olympic gold medallist Billy Mills, their honeymoon plans were derailed.
He trimmed his hair to military length and departed for Canada to start filming since the chance was too big to miss. Benson and DeVito, however, continued to be one other’s strongest supporters in spite of their hectic jobs.
Benson composed and performed songs for popular movies, while DeVito worked on a rock opera called “Bloody Bess,” continuing her musical career.
DeVito praised Benson with altering her view of marriage, and their union bucked the norms of Hollywood partnerships. She stated:
“He was the first individual I encountered who actually discussed marriage. He spoke about the future in such a charming way.
Benson’s wife, on the other hand, provided him with constant support. “She reminds me of what’s important,” he disclosed. “And she makes me laugh.”
A Lifetime of Family and Love
A remarkable accomplishment in Hollywood, Benson and DeVito had been married for almost 40 years by 2019. The former teenage sensation declared:
“I’m really happy I found her. We both like laughing, even at ourselves. Karla has greatly influenced my identity and thought process. She has improved my soul, and I intend to do the same for her.
On social media, he also showed his love for his wife. He paid a moving homage to DeVito on Facebook in August 2016, writing, among other things,
“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.”
Benson and DeVito became proud grandparents when their daughter ultimately had her own family.
Benson has also used his love for his wife as a musical outlet, penning songs over the years that show how much he adores and cares for her.
He wrote “With All of My Heart,” a moving ode to their unbreakable relationship, in 2021 to commemorate their 39th anniversary. He carried on the custom in 2025, composing “I Want You for Myself” as a unique Valentine’s Day present for his wife.
In addition to his music, Benson and DeVito’s love is evident in the life they created together. The couple had two children over the years: a singer named Lyric and a filmmaker named Zephyr.
“My son’s written, directed, and starred in a feature film called ‘Straight Outta Tompkins,'” said Benson. “That was a union film that I executive produced, and he managed to make it in New York City for less than $200,000. It demonstrates his brilliance.
“I produced my daughter’s album, ‘Lyric’s Love Light Revolution,'” he stated. Benson and DeVito became proud grandparents when their daughter ultimately had her own family.
“Being a grandparent is the greatest feeling you could ever wish to experience!” Benson poured.
He gained new insight from the experience, which caused him to reassess his priorities and time. He revealed:
“If it’s possible, this is a very healthy time, full of even more love! As a spouse, parent, and grandfather, I want to be the best I can be.”
Overcoming Obstacles and Pursuing His Interest
Over the years, Benson had serious health issues despite his prolonged prosperity and contented family life. His grit and fortitude were put to the test during the four open heart surgeries he had to have to fix a murmur and valve problems.
But he never allowed these difficulties to define who he was. Following an eight-year hiatus from acting, he made a comeback in 2019 in the Hallmark Channel film “A Feeling of Home,” where he portrayed a father assisting his daughter in rediscovering her heritage.
“Nothing gave me that feeling of ‘I really want to do this’ until this script — it’s beautifully written,” remarked the actor. As his love for acting grew, Benson took on a new and surprising role in 2025 when he joined the cast of “Severance” as Dr. Mauer.
The part demonstrated his capacity to play nuanced and evil roles, demonstrating that despite his extensive career in the field, he was open to trying new things.
The love between Robby Benson and Karla DeVito has only grown stronger despite changes in their careers, personal struggles, and starting a family.
He continues to find new methods to express his love, particularly through music, even after decades of being together.
