Robby Benson is a multifaceted American creative force, boasting a career spanning numerous disciplines. He began his journey in the theater, taking to the stage in productions such as Oliver, The King and I, and Broadway shows like Zelda, The Rothschilds, and Joseph Papp's The Pirates of Penzance, where he met his future partner, the talented Karla DeVito.
Benson's writing and composing skills have been showcased in various musicals, including the libretto and music for Open Heart, which premiered at the Historic Cherry Lane Theatre in NYC. He has also penned best-selling novels, such as "Who Stole The Funny?" (HarperCollins),and medical memoirs, like "I'm Not Dead... Yet".
As a filmmaker, Benson has received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe nomination for his second film, Jeremy, which also won an award at the Cannes Film Festival. He sold his first screenplay, "One on One", to Warner Brothers at the tender age of 18.
Benson's impressive filmography includes starring roles in movies such as One on One, Ode To Billie Joe, Ice Castles, Jeremy, Tribute, Harry and Son, Running Brave, The Chosen, Die Laughing, Walk Proud, The End, Lucky Lady, Death Be Not Proud, The Last of Mrs. Lincoln, and Our Town, among many others.
In addition to his work in film, Benson has written and directed the feature film, 'Modern Love', composed scores for feature films like Straight Outta Tompkins, and co-written hit songs, including "We are Not Alone" from The Breakfast Club, with his wife and partner of 40 years, Karla DeVito.
Benson and DeVito have received RIAA Gold Records, including Nobody Makes Me Crazy, which was covered by Diana Ross. Benson has also written scores for feature films and voiced the iconic character, Beast, in Disney's Academy Award-nominated Beauty and the Beast.
In television, Benson has executive produced and directed over 100 episodes of network shows, including one-hour single-camera dramas, 30-minute sitcoms, and top-ten shows such as Ellen, Friends, Dharma & Greg, Jesse, The Naked Truth, Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, and many more.
Benson has been a professor of film production at several universities for 20 years, and has received numerous honors, including nominations for NYU's Distinguished Teaching Award in 2006 and the David Payne-Carter Award for Teaching Excellence in 2010. He is currently developing his second theatrical musical, "I Hear A Song!".
