Benson part of honorary degree ceremony for actor Kevin Kline
Media School professor of practice Robby Benson introduced actor and IU alumnus Kevin Kline at a question-and-answer session on the IU Auditorium stage Sept. 15, crediting Kline with changing his life.
Kline, who earned a bachelor’s degree in speech and theater in 1970, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for his work in film and theater during a ceremony in the auditorium.
After the ceremony, Benson and his wife, actress Karla DeVito, welcomed Kline back to the stage for a conversation with Jonathan Michaelsen, chair of the Department of Theater and Drama.
Benson explained that director Joseph Papp offered him a role in the Broadway production of Pirates of Penzance, starring Kline. Benson declined the offer.
“That’s because I was a bit of a prude, an acting elitist,” Benson said. He didn’t want the role because he wasn’t the first one to play it.
Then Papp asked him to come and see the play.
“I watched Kevin onstage. It was the most remarkable performance I had ever seen,” Benson said.
“The only reason my life has been so extraordinarily blessed is because of Kevin.”
He joined the production, playing Frederic opposite Kline’s Pirate King and DeVito’s Mabel.
“We got married eight times a week,” he said of his and DeVito’s characters.
The two married in real life and remained friends with Kline.
Benson joined the Department of Telecommunications faculty last fall. The department is part of The Media School.
