Robby Benson Underwent 4 Heart Surgeries & Cites His Beloved Wife As The Reason He’s Still Breathing

Feb 20, 2023

In 1973, Robby got his big break when he was cast as the lead in the romantic drama "Jeremy." Robby's performance in the film earned critical acclaim, and he was quickly recognized as a rising star in Hollywood. He went on to star in a number of other films during the 1970s, including "Ode to Billy Joe" and "One on One."

Robby's boyish good looks and charming demeanor made him a heartthrob among young women, and he quickly became a popular teen idol. He appeared on the covers of many teen magazines and was the subject of countless fan clubs. Despite his popularity, Robby was determined to be taken seriously as an actor, and he continued to seek out challenging roles in both film and television.

In 1991, Robby starred in the Disney animated film "Beauty and the Beast," providing the voice for the character Beast. The film was a commercial success, and Robby's performance helped to establish him as a talented voice actor. In addition to his work as an actor, Robby has also worked as a director and producer. He has been recognized for his work with numerous awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in 1978's "Ice Castles." 

Robby has been married to his wife, singer and actress Karla DeVito, since 1982. They have two children together – daughter Lyric and son Zephyr Benson. Robby has spoken publicly about his struggles with heart disease and has become an advocate for heart health and research. 

Read on to learn more about Robby's relationship wit his wife Karla.

Throughout his career, Robby has been known for his versatility and range as an actor, as well as his commitment to his craft. In recent years, Robby has focused primarily on his work as a writer and educator, though he still occasionally appears in films and television shows. In 2012, he penned the medical memoir "I'm Not Dead… Yet!" detailing his long and excruciating health journey.

In 1984, at the age of 28, Robby was diagnosed with a heart murmur caused by a congenitally defective heart valve and underwent open-heart surgery for the first time. While this condition can be harmless, in Robby's case, it was a sign of a more serious underlying issue.

In 1996, Robby underwent quadruple bypass surgery to treat blockages in his coronary arteries. This procedure involves taking healthy blood vessels from other parts of the body and using them to bypass the blocked arteries, allowing blood to flow more freely to the heart. He underwent another heart surgery in 2010.

Robby's heart problems persisted, and in 2012, he underwent another heart surgery to replace a faulty aortic valve. The aortic valve is responsible for regulating blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body, and a faulty valve can cause serious health problems. Robby's surgery was once again successful, but the recovery process was difficult, and he had to take a break from his work as a professor of film studies at the University of Utah.

Throughout all the ordeals, Robby kept his condition under wraps from colleagues for fear of committing "career suicide," he told NPR. The only person he could confide in and had in his corner was his beloved wife, DeVito.

Altogether, Robby underwent four heart surgeries, but the second one in 1996 didn't go as smoothly. In his book, Robby recalled the hospital's staff and doctors treating him unkindly. However, the ordeal showed him just how much he appreciated his wife. He wrote:

"When it came to love, my heart and true feelings were an unstoppable freight train and Karla was my destination."

He later told USA Today in 2012 that his desire to keep his condition on the down low was problematic, and without DeVito, the worst could have occurred.

"She helped me find doctors, she made sure I was getting the best treatment, the right medicine," he said.

"I'm alive because of her."

The actor has also shared adorable photos of the two of them together. In September 2015, he posted a picture of them celebrating her birthday. On July 15, 2022, he shared another sweet snap of them together, captioned:

"We've been married 40 years! I am the luckiest man on the planet Earth – or as lawyers say, 'and in all universes and galaxies in perpetuity!'"

In 2013, Robby gushed to Smashing Interviews about how "amazing" DeVito is. "She is literally the most amazing human being I've ever met in my life. The fact that I was lucky enough to marry her and be with her every single day is.. I don't know why somebody allowed that to happen to me. I don't know how I got so lucky," he said.

He added:

"I love her more every day that I'm allowed to live. … I look into her eyes, feel her heart and her soul. … She reminds me. Sometimes she has to remind me every single day. She says, 'Sweetheart, just look in my eyes.' I do. I listen to her because she's my hero."

Did you know Robby Benson had such a challenging health journey? What do you make of his wife's unconditional support for him through it all? Let us know, and don't forget to pass this on to family and friends and remind them just how much you appreciate them.