Benson (1979)
The sharp-witted sitcom that followed a savvy butler navigating politics, personalities, and power inside a governor's mansion across seven memorable seasons on ABC.
Benson - Series Information
- First Air Year: 1979
- Last Air Year: 1986
- Created by: Susan Harris
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 7
- Number of Episodes: 158
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 13, 1979 (New Zealand - M), September 13, 1979 (Australia - M)
- Networks: ABC
Benson - Plot
A butler deals with life at the governor's mansion.
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Benson - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Susan Harris
Main Cast
- Robert Guillaume
- James Noble
- Inga Swenson
- Missy Gold
- René Auberjonois
- Ethan Phillips
- Caroline McWilliams
- Didi Conn
- Billie Bird
- Lewis J. Stadlen
Writers
- Rob Dames
- Bob Fraser
- Terry Grossman
- Kathy Speer
- Bob Colleary
Executive Producers
- Tony Thomas
- Paul Junger Witt
Benson - FAQs
Who played Benson in the ABC sitcom?
Robert Guillaume brought Benson DuBois to life with remarkable wit and warmth. Originally introduced on Soap, Guillaume's portrayal earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1985, making him one of the first Black actors to win that honor.
Is Benson a spin-off of another TV series?
Yes, Benson is a direct spin-off of the ABC comedy Soap (1977–1981), also created by Susan Harris. Robert Guillaume reprised his role as the sharp-tongued butler Benson DuBois, who left the Tate household to work at the governor's mansion, giving the character a fresh and politically charged setting.
Where can you stream Benson today?
Benson is available to stream on fuboTV. You can also watch it free with ads on The Roku Channel and Tubi TV. If you prefer to own episodes, they are available for purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies.
Did Benson win any major awards?
Robert Guillaume won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1985 for his role as Benson DuBois, a landmark achievement. The series itself received multiple Emmy nominations over its run, and Guillaume had previously won a Supporting Actor Emmy for the same character on Soap.
How did Benson end after seven seasons?
The series finale, which aired in 1986, ended on a cliffhanger as Benson ran against Governor Gatling in an election — and the outcome was never revealed. The ambiguous ending left audiences guessing whether Benson won, a bold creative choice that became one of TV's most talked-about unresolved finales.
Who created Benson and what is it about?
Susan Harris, the creator of Soap and The Golden Girls, developed Benson. The show follows Benson DuBois, a quick-witted and capable butler who manages the chaotic household of bumbling Governor Eugene Gatling. Over seven seasons, Benson rises from household manager to state budget director and eventually lieutenant governor.
Was Jerry Seinfeld in Benson before his own show?
Yes, a young Jerry Seinfeld appeared in Benson in a recurring role as Frankie, a joke-cracking staffer at the governor's mansion. It was one of his earliest television appearances, predating Seinfeld by nearly a decade and offering an early glimpse of the comedian's natural on-screen charm.
What shows are similar to Benson for fans to watch?
Fans of Benson tend to enjoy other character-driven workplace comedies. Who's the Boss? (1984) and Coach (1989) share a similar warm ensemble dynamic, while Good Times (1974) and Mama's Family (1983) offer comparable humor rooted in strong central characters navigating everyday life with wit and resilience.
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