Benson, Robby 1956–

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BENSON, Robby 1956–

(Bobby Benson, Robbie Benson,
Robin Benson, Robby Segal, Robin David Segal)

PERSONAL

Original name, Robin David Segal; born January 21, 1956, in Dallas, TX; son of Jerry (a writer) and Ann (an actress, singer, and business promotions manager; maiden name, Benson) Segal; brother of Shelli Segal (a clothing designer); married Karla DeVito (a singer and actress), 1982; children: Lyric (daughter), Zephyr (son). Education: Attended American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York City. Religion: Judaism.

Addresses: Agent—Bob Rothman, Rothman Brecher Agency, 9465 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 840, Beverly Hills, CA 90212.

Career: Actor, voice performer, director, producer, writer, and composer. Appeared in television commercials and public service announcements. Instructor in film at University of Southern California, South Carolina State University, 1988–90, and University of California, Los Angeles, 1991; University of Utah, professor, between 1993 and 2002; Appalachian State University, artist in residence, 2003; California Institute of the Arts, visiting lecturer, 2003; also worked as a musician. Robby Benson's Hoops for Hope, founder; Batten Disease Support and Research Association, national spokesperson; Famous People Players, board chair; affiliate of Actors' Fund of America and Los Angeles Blind Children's Center. Also known as Bobby Benson, Robbie Benson, Robin Benson, Robby Segal, or Robin David Segal.

Awards, Honors: Golden Globe Award nomination, most promising male newcomer, 1974, for Jeremy; named one of the most promising new actors of 1976 by John Willis's Screen World, 1976; Golden Globe Award nomination, best performance by an actor in a miniseries or motion picture made for television, 1983, for Two of a Kind; Heart of a Child Award, Heart of a Child Foundation.

CREDITS

Film Appearances:

(Uncredited) Boy tossing ball in opening airport scene, Wait until Dark, Warner Bros./Seven Arts, 1967.

The Apple War (also known as Aeppelkriget and Appelkriget), Svensk Filmindustri, 1971.

Title role, Jory, Avco-Embassy, 1972.

Jeremy Jones (title role), Jeremy (also known as Susan and Jeremy), United Artists, 1973.

Billy Webber, Lucky Lady, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1975.

Billy Joe McAllister, Ode to Billy Joe, Warner Bros., 1976.

Henry Steele, One on One, Warner Bros., 1977.

Father Dave Benson, The End, United Artists, 1978.

Nick Peterson, Ice Castles, Columbia, 1978.

Emilio Mendez, Walk Proud (also known as Gang), Universal, 1979.

Jud Templeton, Tribute (also known as Un fils pour l'ete), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1980.

Pinsky, Die Laughing, Warner Bros., 1980.

Brent Falcone, "Municipalians," National Lampoon Goes to the Movies (also known as National Lampoon's "Movie Madness"), United Artists, 1981.

Danny Saunders, The Chosen, Contemporary, 1982.

Billy Mills, Running Brave, Buena Vista, 1983.

Howard Keach, Harry and Son, Orion, 1984.

Carver, City Limits, Atlantic Releasing, 1985.

Pitts, Rent-a-Cop, ITC Entertainment Group/PolyGram, 1988.

Scott, White Hot (also known as Crack in the Mirror and Do It Up), Triax Entertainment/Paul International, 1989.

Greg, Modern Love, Triumph Releasing, 1990.

Voice of the beast, Beauty and the Beast (animated), Buena Vista, 1991, also released as Beauty and the Beast: Special Edition.

Max Pierce, Deadly Exposure, Crystal Sky Communications, 1993.

Roger Swade, At Home with the Webbers (also known as The Webbers and Webber's World), LIVE Home Video, 1994.

Voice of the beast, Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (animated; also known as Beauty and the Beast 2), Walt Disney Home Video, 1997.

Voice of the beast, Belle's Magical World (animated; also known as Disney's "Belle's Magical World"), Walt Disney Home Video, 1997.

Voice of Drake, Dragonheart II, Universal, 2000.

Some sources cite an appearance in The Godfather: Part II (also known as Mario Puzo's "The Godfather: Part II"), Paramount, 1974.

Film Work:

Producer (with Mark Canton), Die Laughing, Warner Bros., 1980.

Director, White Hot (also known as Crack in the Mirror and Do It Up), Triax Entertainment/Paul International, 1989.

Director and producer, Modern Love, Triumph Releasing, 1990.

Television Appearances; Series:

Bruce Carson, Search for Tomorrow, CBS, 1971–73.

Detective Cliff Brady, Tough Cookies, CBS, 1986.

Bud, For Jenny with Love, beginning c. 1989.

Voice, Pirates of Dark Water (animated; also known as Pirates of Darkwater), ABC, 1991–92.

Voice of Prince Valiant, The Legend of Prince Valiant (animated; also known as Prince Valiant), Family Channel, 1991–94.

Voice of Five-Card Cud, The Wild West C.O.W. Boys of Moo Mesa (animated), ABC, 1992–94.

Voices of Simabacca and Lieutenant J. T. Marsh, ExoSquad (animated), syndicated, 1993–95.

Voice of beast, House of Mouse (animated; also known as Disney's "House of Mouse"), ABC, 2001–2004.

Professor Witt, a recurring role, American Dreams (also known as Bandstand, Miss American Pie, and Our Generation), NBC, 2002–2003.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Frankie Hodges, Remember When (also known as Four Stars in the Window), NBC, 1974.

John, All the Kind Strangers (also known as Evil in the Swamp), ABC, 1974.

Leroy Small, The Virginia Hill Story, NBC, 1974.

Johnnie Gunther, Death Be Not Proud, ABC, 1975.

Richie Werner, The Death of Richie (also known as Richie), NBC, 1977.

Noel "Nolie" Minor, "Two of a Kind," GE Theatre, CBS, 1982.

Nathan Bowzer, California Girls, ABC, 1985.

Alex Pruitt, Invasion of Privacy, USA Network, 1992.

Dr. David Whitson, Homewrecker (also known as Programmed for Murder), Sci-Fi Channel, 1992.

Robert Sims, Precious Victims, CBS, 1993.

Dr. Sturbuck, Just a Dream, Showtime, 2002.

Television Appearances; Specials:

George Gibbs, Our Town, NBC, 1977.

John Denver in Australia, ABC, 1978.

Host, The Second Annual CBS Easter Parade, CBS, 1986.

Be Our Guest: The Making of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," The Disney Channel, 1991.

Voice of William Osborn Stoddard, Lincoln, ABC, 1992.

Star-athon '92: A Weekend with the Stars, syndicated, 1992.

Walt Disney World Happy Easter Parade, ABC, 1992.

Host, Pinocchio: The Making of a Masterpiece, The Disney Channel, 1993.

Host, American Express Presents Backstage Pass … Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" Goes to Broadway, The Disney Channel, 1994.

Voice of Tom Thumb, P. T. Barnum: America's Greatest Showman, The Discovery Channel, 1995.

Voice, The Christmas Lamb (animated; also known as The Crippled Lamb), PAX TV, 2000.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

Julie's blind date, "The College Man," One Day at a Time, CBS, 1976.

"The Last of Mrs. Lincoln," Hollywood Television Theatre, PBS, 1976.

Ed Bolling, "Method Actor," Alfred Hitchcock Presents, NBC, 1985.

"Tourist Trap," The Hitchhiker, USA Network, 1990.

Voice of Officer Wilkes, "P.O.V.," Batman: The Animated Series (animated; also known as Batman), Fox, 1992.

Jonathan Ravenhurst Blackwell, "The Disappearance," Avonlea (also known as The Road to Avonlea), CBC and The Disney Channel, 1993.

Donald, Family Album, CBS, 1993.

Voice of Archibald Seedplot, "Goes to Seed," The Magic School Bus (animated), PBS, 1994.

Himself, "Caroline and the Movie," Caroline in the City (also known as Caroline), NBC, 1996.

Edward "Ted" Spellman, "Meeting Dad's Girlfriend," Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (also known as Sabrina and Sabrina Goes to College), ABC, 1997.

Himself, "Mini-Christmas Special 1997," Sidewalks Entertainment (also known as Sidewalks and Sidewalks Entertainment Hour), syndicated, 1997.

Himself, Burt Reynolds: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment Television, 2000.

Dana Weatherly, "Who Are You?," The Huntress, USA Network, 2001.

Himself, Intimate Portrait: Joely Fisher, Lifetime, 2003.

Appeared as Skeeter Hatfield, Evening Shade, CBS; as the voice of an announcer, Thunder Alley, ABC; appeared in episodes of American Bandstand (also known as Bandstand), ABC; and The Ed Sullivan Show (also known as Toast of the Town), CBS; appeared in "Robby Benson," Biography (also known as A & E Biography: Robby Benson), Arts and Entertainment; appeared in soap operas as a child.

Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:

Presenter, The 51st Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 1979.

The 49th Annual Golden Globe Awards, TBS, 1992.

Television Appearances; Pilots:

Edward "Ted" Spellman, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, ABC, 1996.

Lefty, CBS, c. 2002.

Television Director; Episodic:

Kids Incorporated, The Disney Channel, episodes in 1991–92.

Evening Shade, CBS, episodes in 1993.

Family Album, CBS, episodes in 1993.

"Baby Talk," Monty, Fox, 1994.

"Divorce Egyptian Style," Good Advice, CBS, 1994.

"Let It Be Normal," Muddling Through, CBS, 1994.

"Second Time's the Charm," Muddling Through, CBS, 1994.

"The Son Also Rises," Monty, Fox, 1994.

Thunder Alley, ABC, episodes in 1994–95.

"A Need for a Seed," The George Wendt Show, CBS, 1995.

"Try Not to Remember," Dream On, HBO, 1995, also broadcast on Fox.

Ellen (also known as These Friend of Mine), ABC, episodes in 1995–96.

"Breaking In Is Hard to Do," Life with Roger, The WB, 1996.

"Teacher's Pet," Pearl, CBS, 1996.

Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (also known as Sabrina and Sabrina Goes to College), ABC, episodes in 1996–97.

Friends, NBC, episodes in 1997.

The Naked Truth (also known as Wilde Again), ABC, episodes in 1997–98.

"Who Knew?," House Rules, NBC, 1998.

Jesse, NBC, episodes in 1998–99.

"Date," Brother's Keeper, ABC, 1999.

"Mad Secretaries and Englishmen," Dharma & Greg, ABC, 2000.

"Rescue Me," Two Guys and a Girl (also known as Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place), ABC, 2000.

"Bathroom Bob," Bob Patterson, ABC, 2001.

"Black Widow," The Huntress, USA Network, 2001.

"Clown Bob," Bob Patterson, ABC, 2001.

"Generations," The Huntress, USA Network, 2001.

"The Love Boat," Two Guys and a Girl (also known as Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place), ABC, 2001.

"Showdown," The Huntress, USA Network, 2001.

"Undercover," The Huntress, USA Network, 2001.

"Donny Goes AWOL," 8 Simple Rules (also known as 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter), ABC, 2003.

"The Greatest Christmas Story Ever Told," I'm with Her, ABC, 2003.

"Meet the Parent," I'm with Her, ABC, 2003.

"Sex Ed," 8 Simple Rules (also known as 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter), ABC, 2003.

Directed episodes of Complete Savages, ABC; Reunited, UPN, and True Confessions, syndicated. Directed "Lights, Camera, Friction," an unaired episode of Good Advice, CBS; directed unaired episodes of other series.

Television Director; Pilots:

Bringing Up Jack, ABC, 1995.

Game Night, ABC, 1995.

Meant for Each Other, CBS, 1995.

Common Law, ABC, 1996.

Family Beat, The WB, 1996.

Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, ABC, 1996.

Out There, ABC, 1997.

Jersey, NBC, 1998.

Lee Evans Conquers America, NBC, 1998.

(And producer) Local Zeroes, CBS, 1998.

Hayley Wagner, Star, The WB, 2000.

Stage Appearances:

The King and I (musical), Broadway production, c. 1961.

David Hartman, Zelda, Ethel Barrymore Theatre, New York City, 1969.

Third urchin and young Solomon Rothschild, The Rothschilds (musical), Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, New York City, 1970.

Frederic, The Pirates of Penzance (operetta), Uris Theatre, New York City, 1981.

Jimmy, Open Heart (musical), Cherry Lane Theatre, New York City, 2004.

Appeared as Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, Love Letters, Canon Theatre, Los Angeles area; appeared in Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, Dude (musical), Evita (musical), and King of Hearts; also appeared in summer theatre productions.

Major Tours:

Oliver! (musical), Japanese cities, c. 1964.

RECORDINGS

Videos:

Voice of David, David and Goliath (also known as Greatest Adventure Stories from the Bible: David and Goliath), 1985.

Voice of beast, Disney Sing-Along Songs: Be Our Guest (animated), Walt Disney, 1994.

Voice of beast, Disney Sing-Along Songs: Friend Like Me (animated), Walt Disney, 1996.

Voice of young Santa Claus, The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus (animated), Universal Studios Home Video, 2000.

Host for the 1960, Disney through the Decades, Walt Disney Home Video, 2001.

Voice of beast, Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed In at the House of Mouse (animated), Buena Vista Home Video/Walt Disney Home Video, 2001.

Host for The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast: The Story behind the Story, Walt Disney Home Video, 2002.

Voice of Edward, MXP: Most Xtreme Primate (also known as MVP3 and MXP: Mon xtreme primate), Miramax, 2003.

Albums:

Voice of beast, Walt Disney Presents "Beauty and the Beast" (also known as Beauty and the Beast: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Walt Disney Records, 1991.

Voice of beast, Beauty and the Beast: Special Edition Soundtrack, Walt Disney Records, 2001.

Open Heart (soundtrack for musical), c. 2004.

Singer and guitarist for the album Robby Benson; appeared in other albums.

Audiobooks; Narrator:

Randy Shilts, Conduct Unbecoming: Gays and Lesbians in the U.S. Military, Publishing Mills, 1993.

Reader's Digest Presents Christmas Stories: For the Entire Family, Audio Literature, 1995.

Beauty and the Beast, Puss in Boots, Audio Literature, 1996.

Laura Joffe Numeroff, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, illustrated by Felicia Bond, HarperCollins, 1997.

Mark Twain, Mark Twain Classics: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, DH Audio, 1999.

Narrated audiobook versions of Big Book on the Planet, Publishing Mills; Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Match Girl, Dove Audio; The Lost Boys, Simon & Schuster; and Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, Random House.

Video Games:

Voice of Prince Alexander, King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow, 1992.

Voice of the beast, Kingdom Hearts (also known as Kingudamu hatsu), Square Electronic Arts, 2002.

WRITINGS

Screenplays:

(With Jerry Segal) One on One, Warner Bros., 1977.

(With Don Peake) Walk Proud (also known as Gang), Universal, 1979.

(With Jerry Segal and Scott Parker) Die Laughing, Warner Bros., 1980.

Modern Love, Triumph Releasing, 1990.

(With Karla DeVito; and story) Betrayal of the Dove, Prism Entertainment, 1993.

Film Music:

Walk Proud (also known as Gang), Universal, 1979.

(With Jerry Segal) Die Laughing, Warner Bros., 1980.

Songs Featured in Films:

"We Are Not Alone," The Breakfast Club, Universal, 1985.

"Bang My Drum … Slowly," "The Hard Way," "Love I Can Taste," and "What Planet Are You From," White Hot (also known as Crack in the Mirror and Do It Up), Triax Entertainment/Paul International, 1989.

"Brahma Beach Cop," "Evelyn's Theme," and "Falling in Love with You," Modern Love, Triumph Releasing, 1990.