Private Struggles
Behind the fame, Benson battled a congenital heart valve defect. He kept it secret, fearing it would derail his career, confiding only in his wife, singer Karla DeVito. Despite grueling work schedules, he continued acting in films like The Chosen (1981) and Running Brave (1982).
Family and Career Shifts
By the mid-1980s, Benson transitioned into adult roles and television work while raising two children with DeVito. In 1989, rare photos captured his quieter family life. By 1995, he moved behind the camera, directing shows like Ellen.