This page uses content from the Robby Benson biography page on the English version of Wikipedia and is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. This list of authors can be seen in the page history. Rotten Tomatoes disclaims any and all warranties as to the accuracy or reliability of the content.

Robby Benson (born Robin David Segal on 21 January 1956) is an American actor.

Benson was born in Dallas, Texas to Jewish American parents Gerald Charles Segal and Freda Ann Benson. His sister is Shelli Segal, designer for the Laundry clothing line known as Laundry by Shelli Segal.

Benson had an early role on the daytime soap Search for Tomorrow (1971-72). As a film star, Benson was popular for roles of teens in coming-of-age films, such as in 1972's Jory (his screen debut), and as Billy Joe McAllister in Ode to Billy Joe (1976). He was listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1976" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 28. [1976]. Robby Benson received critical acclaim for his role as the ice skating coach, Nick Peterson, in Ice Castles (1978).

In Disney's animated feature film Beauty and the Beast, Benson demonstrated his vocal abilities by providing the voice of Beast which was completely unrecognizable as Benson's. He would later reprise the role in the Kingdom Hearts role-playing game series. This role led to other voice work for animated features, including the widely popular Prince Valiant cartoon series. Benson also lends his voice to some computer and video game work, such as the voice of Prince Alexander in the computer game King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow.

Benson directed over 100 episodes of sitcoms including Friends, Sabrina, and an entire season of Ellen. The Ellen sitcom paid homage to Benson's final Ice Castles line ("We forgot about the flowers.") in one episode.

Since August 2003, Benson has been teaching Film Acting at Appalachian State University.

Benson has been married to Karla DeVito since 1982. They have two children, a daughter named Lyric and a son named Zephyr (his daughter, Lyric Benson, is not the same young woman of the same name who was murdered in New York City by her boyfriend in 2003).

Robby Benson had heart valve surgery in October 1984.

External links

• Robby Benson, official site

fr:Robby Benson

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