Karla Devito of "Pirates of Penzance" never expected to be married. However, after working with her love interest, Frederic, played by Robby Benson, on the Broadway production, the actress's demeanor towards marriage changed.
Karla Devito and Robby Benson have one of Hollywood's fantasy love stories. The pair met during their time on the Broadway production of "Pirates of Penzance."
Devito played Mabel, while Benson acted as Frederic, and they had not expected to become lovers. However, the co-stars thought differently of each other when they began working closely together.
[Left] Studio portrait of Robby Benson in 1978 in New York City; [Right] Wedding photo of Karla Devito and Robby Benson. | Source: Getty Images
As their views of each other evolved, so did their feelings. A Dallas native born into an entertainment-inclined family, Benson was thrilled by Devito's singing voice and thought that her performance was outstanding.
On the other hand, Devito was moved by Benson's humility, creativity, and behaviors padded with a sense of seriousness and humor.
These on-screen stars had different backgrounds; Benson started as an excellent singer, songwriter, and actor who gained experience from his years as a teen idol and was ushered into acting by his parents.
Robby Benson pictured Hallmark's "Home & Family" at Universal Studios Hollywood, 2019, Universal Studios. | Source: Getty Images
Conversely, Devito did not have the luxury of learning firsthand from her family. Instead, tragedy struck relatively too early. At age 8, she lost her dad and never really completed her University education.
However, that did not stop the actress from showcasing discipline and determination in achieving her dreams as a star, becoming a composer of rock opera, alongside her successful screen appearances.
When the hardworking duo met on "Pirates of Penzance," their careers were blooming, and they acknowledged their brilliance. Two months after gaining acquaintances, the Dallas native knew that his on-screen love interest would be his real-life bride.
Karla DeVito at the lost and found tour, Wembley Arena 24 September 1983. | Source: Getty Images
KARLA DEVITO AND ROBBY BENSON'S JOURNEY TO HAPPY-EVER-AFTER
In July 1982, the on-screen lover from "Pirates of Penzance" became a married couple. During courtship, Devito was confused about whether it was real love or a continuation of their stage fantasy.
However, after the marriage, she was confident about her choice. Devito admitted that she did not plan for a future following her dad's death, but with her husband, it was easy, as he consistently talked about building.
The composer vowed that the relationship would be "the anchor" of her life. Thankfully, her husband felt the same about their relationship.
Actor Robby Benson and his wife Karla DeVito arrive at the "Beauty And The Beast" sing-a-long premiere and DVD release party at the El Capitan Theatre on October 2, 2010. | Source: Getty Images
Although Devito was a few years older, Benson revealed that her sense of humor cheers him up and that she worked some feminist magic on him.
The Dallas native was not entirely aware of women's experiences and often took their achievements for granted until his wife influenced his outlook.
Apart from raving on about their impacts, the couple shared an infectious excitement explaining their love for a growing family.
Robby Benson and Karla DeVito attending the Chiller Theatre Expo - Day 1, 2015, Parsippany, New Jersey. | Source: Getty Images
While they expanded their family, they continued to maintain relevance in their fields. Devito appeared in a few hits, and Benson starred in numerous blockbusters like 1991's "Beauty and the Beast."
The actor also became an author with more books to his name, including "Open Heart," "Who Stole Funny," and "A Novel of Hollywood."
Alongside his writing career, a passion for teaching also emerged. The author has taught as a contact University professor in many schools across the country.
Robby Benson arrives at the 'Beauty and the Beast' Sing-A-Long DVD premiere at the El Capitan theater on October 2, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Benson's resumè is overwhelming considering that he pushed himself beyond all doubts to achieve his dreams. The actor was born with a heart valve defect that was left undiagnosed until he became a teenager.
Although he kept the health challenges a secret because of the fear that it could assassinate his career, soon the symptoms worsened, and at age 28, three years after his marriage, the actor underwent his first out of four heart surgeries.
Despite combating the health issues with these surgeries, he suffered lasting pains, recovered at a snail's pace, and had a few setbacks, including moments of depression.
However, he had his wife's presence and support through it all. She provided him a shoulder to lean on, and the actor has not stopped loving his former "Pirates of Penzance" co-star, with whom he made two adorable kids.
Benson once confessed that amid doing outstanding works with his string of talents, one of his greatest passions is his family.
The former teenage idol shares an admirable relationship with his wife. While they work as a force to have a happy home, they have also teamed up in several projects, including songs and plays like "Open Heart," "Nobody Makes Me Crazy (Like You Do!)," and "Let Me In."
ROBBY BENSON AND KARLA DEVITO'S CLAN
Despite being married for nearly forty years, Benson is still in awe of his Mabel from "Pirates of Penzance," and he shows it!
While speaking to "The Hallmark Channel," he talked about how he decorated their 4-acre ranch with a heart sign and his wife's name to impress her.
Again, in 2019, the "Beauty and the Beast" star gushed on his marriage with Devito, resounding his admiration for her humor as he did when they first married.
American actor Robby Benson, with his wife, actress Karla DeVito, and their daughter, Lyric, London, 1989. | Source: Getty Images
The "Open Heart" author also added that she is his soulmate. After forty years, which equals 1000 Hollywood years, many would agree with the power couple that they are indeed made for each other!
Another astonishing thing about the duo is their love for their kids. As a force, they have raised two impressive adults, a daughter, Lyric, a singer, and their son, Zephyr, who works as a filmmaker.
In return for her parents' affection, Lyric has blessed them with two grandkids, Kingsley and Aurora, whom they admire entirely.
The father of two confessed that he is overjoyed at being a grandparent. As expected, he and Devito are present for their daughter's kids.
For Benson and his wife, being grandparents does not interfere with their unconditional love for their kids. On the contrary, the actor has a close relationship with his son and has impacted the young blood's career by teaching him the ropes.
Like her brother, Lyric inherited her parents' knack for music and works as a screenwriter, while she jointly runs a website with her husband, Asher Ferguson.
The mother of two also shares a similar story with her parents. She has two kids and enjoys a blissful marriage with Ferguson, including touring worldwide.
Conclusively, Benson and Devito's long-term romance shows that real love does not only exist in the movies. But, their peculiar tale details an on-screen fantasy becoming a reality.
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