Robby Benson (born Robin David Segal; January , ) is an American
actor, singer, composer, teacher and filmmaker. He rose to prominence
as a teen idol in the late s, appearing in the sports films One on One
() and Ice Castles (). He subsequently garnered more fame for
portraying the voice of Beast in the Disney animated film Beauty and
the Beast () and its numerous sequels and spin-offs. He later forged a
career in directing television, including six episodes of the sitcom
Friends.In addition to acting and directing, Benson is an activist in
the field of heart research, having undergone four open-heart
surgeries since age to correct congenital aortic valve defects and
related damage. In , he published a memoir recounting his medical
journey and numerous surgeries.Benson was born in Dallas, Texas, the
son of Freda Ann (née Benson), a singer, actor, and business
promotions manager, and Jerry Segal, a writer. His family is Jewish.
When Benson was five years old, his family relocated to New York City,
where he was raised. He subsequently took his mother's maiden name as
his stage name when he was . Benson attended the Lincoln Square
Academy in Manhattan, where he graduated at age fourteen as the class
valedictorian.
actor, singer, composer, teacher and filmmaker. He rose to prominence
as a teen idol in the late s, appearing in the sports films One on One
() and Ice Castles (). He subsequently garnered more fame for
portraying the voice of Beast in the Disney animated film Beauty and
the Beast () and its numerous sequels and spin-offs. He later forged a
career in directing television, including six episodes of the sitcom
Friends.In addition to acting and directing, Benson is an activist in
the field of heart research, having undergone four open-heart
surgeries since age to correct congenital aortic valve defects and
related damage. In , he published a memoir recounting his medical
journey and numerous surgeries.Benson was born in Dallas, Texas, the
son of Freda Ann (née Benson), a singer, actor, and business
promotions manager, and Jerry Segal, a writer. His family is Jewish.
When Benson was five years old, his family relocated to New York City,
where he was raised. He subsequently took his mother's maiden name as
his stage name when he was . Benson attended the Lincoln Square
Academy in Manhattan, where he graduated at age fourteen as the class
valedictorian.
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