'70s Heartthrob Has Been Married for 40 Years & Still Declares His Love to His Wife with Songs

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.

The Hollywood star has been married to his singer and actress wife since the early '80s, proving that lasting romance isn't 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.

An Onstage Romance That Lasted Forever

Benson's 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.

It wasn't 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.'"

He added, "There were about 8,000 [restless extras], so I said I'd 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 can't be right.' It was really funny. I never thought of myself as a star," the former teen idol added.

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 wasn't 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.

But while they seemed like a perfect match in hindsight, their romance didn't 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.

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 I've really only met one or two true artists. Karla is one of them. We've been writing songs since we fell in love — we sold one for 'The Breakfast Club,' one for Diana Ross."

But while they seemed like a perfect match in hindsight, their romance didn't 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 wasn't expecting to fall madly in love with anyone," she admitted.

To make matters worse, Benson often kept to himself and needed a nudge in DeVito's direction. That push came in the form of the show's music conductor Dan Berlinghoff, who was concerned about Benson's isolation and decided to intervene by arranging lunch outings for him with various cast members. Benson's first pairing was with DeVito, and that was all it took.

The two quickly discovered they had long admired each other's work. Benson was deeply moved by DeVito's voice, saying, "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."

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. I'd thought of him as very serious. To find that he also juggled plates and walked into walls was fun."

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.

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 DeVito's 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 wasn't 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.

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 other's 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.

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 what's important," he revealed. "And she makes me laugh."

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. Karla's so much a part of who I am and how I think. She's made my soul better, and hopefully, I can do that for her."

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 couple's 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.

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 Valentine's Day gift for his wife.

Benson and DeVito's 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 son's 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."

"I produced my daughter's album, 'Lyric's Love Light Revolution,'" he added. The couple's 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.

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 that's possible! I hope I'm the best I can possibly be as a grandfather, father, and husband."

Overcoming 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.

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.

"Nothing gave me that feeling of 'I really want to do this' until this script — it's beautifully written," he said. Benson's 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 DeVito's love has only deepened. Even after decades together, he still finds new ways to show his devotion — especially through music.