Series regulars or semi-regulars in 'Benson' from 1970-1982:
- Inga Swenson as Gretchen Kraus (1979-1986)
- James Noble as Governor Eugene Gatling (1979-1986)
- Missy Gold as Katie Gatling (1979-1986)
- Robert Guillaume as Benson DuBois (1979-1986)
- Caroline McWilliams as Marcy Hill (1979-1981)
- Lewis J. Stadlen as John Taylor (1979-1980)
- Rene Auberjonois as Clayton Endicott III (1980-1986)
- Ethan Phillips as Pete Downey (1980-1984)
- Didi Conn as Denise Downey (1981-1985)
1970-1982 Episode Guide for 'Benson':
(Episodes with dates prior to 1970 aired as reruns.)
Season 1, episode 1
W: Susan Harris D: Jay Sandrich
With David Hedison (John Taylor), Norman Bartold (Mr. Nettleson). Benson, the Tate family butler from "Soap", gets a new job taking care of a bumbling governor and his precocious daughter, and finds himself being searched by guards, attacked by dogs, and mistaken for the Rev. Jesse Jackson in the series premiere.
Season 1, episode 2
W: Lee Maddux, Tom Reeder D: Peter Baldwin
With Rene Enriquez (Raul), Art Metrano (Captain Bates). After talking Benson into allowing her to go to a previously forbidden rock concert, Katie disappears.
Season 1, episode 3
W: Tom Reeder D: Jay Sandrich
With Mel Stewart (Lerome), Wendell Wright (Caldwell). While posing as a third world dignitary for a state dinner, Benson learns he is the target of a hit man.
Season 1, episode 4
W: Bob Colleary D: Peter Baldwin
With Beverly Todd (Senator Francine Wade). Benson falls madly in love with a lady politician.
Season 1, episode 5
W: Paul Wayne D: Jay Sandrich Miss Kraus and Benson turn Kate's school play into a hilarious comedy -- and the governor must decide whether to attend the play or meet the President.
Season 1, episode 6
W: Bob Colleary D: Peter Baldwin
With Meg Wyllie (Miss Ellie), Larry Hankin (Electrician). Ordered by the governor to cut the staff, Benson discovers he won't win any popularity contests when he's forced to fire the beloved pastry chef.
Season 1, episode 7
W: Susan Harris, Stu Silver D: Jay Sandrich
With Jerry Houser (Marvin), Barbara Sammeth (Harriet), Edward Willkie (Ranger). Benson, the governor, his daughter and a very pregnant woman are stranded in a mountain lodge with no heat or food.
Season 1, episode 8
W: Bob Colleary, Tom Reeder D: Jay Sandrich
With Mitchell Edmonds (Farnham), Katherine Helmond (Jessica Tate), Vic Hunsberger (Baron). Jessica Tate arrives on the scene to play official hostess to a visiting dignitary, and winds up in a scandalous situation.
Season 1, episode 9
W: Tom Reeder D: Peter Baldwin Benson and Marcy try to discover which one of their fellow workers leaked a sensational remark of the governor's to the press.
Season 1, episode 10
W: Michael Weinberger D: Jay Sandrich
With Mark Goddard (Eddie). Benson is delighted when an Army buddy falls for Marcy, until he learns a shocking secret about his old pal.
Season 1, episode 11
W: Rick McCurdy, Jeff Levin D: Tony Mordente Benson tries to placate what appears to be the ghost of a past governor who is haunting the mansion.
Season 1, episode 12
W: Rick McCurdy, Jeff Levin D: John Bowab Benson runs in the other direction when Taylor makes an attempt at running for office.
Season 1, episode 13
W: Warren S. Murray D: Jay Sandrich
With Rene Enriquez (Raul), Robert Karnes (Mr. Keller), Jeanne Bates (Mrs. Keller), Robert Phalen (Mr. Barnett), Kathryn Reynolds (Mrs. Barnett), G.W. Bailey (Gus). Benson becomes cook, cleaner and chief bottle washer when Miss Kraus leads the rest of the mansion employees on strike.
Season 1, episode 14
W: Bob Colleary D: John Bowab
With Denise Nicholas (Carol Walker), Roscoe Lee Browne (Howard Walker). Governor Gatling works to persuade an entrepreneur to open a new factory in his state, but Benson opposes the deal because he and the man's wife had an affair years earlier.
Season 1, episode 15
W: Tom Reeder D: Asaad Kelada
With David Ruprecht (Ed Sherman). When Governor Gatling is sick in bed, the Lieutenant Governor opportunistically tries to advance a bill that Gatlling opposes, and it's up to Benson to put a stop to the scheme.
Season 1, episode 16
W: Bernard Dilbert D: Asaad Kelada
With Richard Stahl (Miles Gordon), Joel Brooks (Walter Harwell). Benson traps the person who has been bugging the mansion, and the culprit turns out to be Taylor's lover.
Season 1, episode 17
W: Rick McCurdy, Jeff Levin D: Tony Mordente
With Stephen Pearlman (Larry). Kraus falls for the butcher, but she loses her self-confidence when asking him out so Benson and Marcy attempt to persuade Kraus to become more alluring.
Season 1, episode 18
W: Bob Colleary, Tom Reeder D: Tony Mordente
With Michael Bell (Petrov), Meeno Peluce (Alexei), Arthur Rosenberg (Vozneski). An 11-year-old Soviet boy is brought to the mansion for a chess tournament. Katie hides him in her room and a scandal erupts when the Soviets accuse the staff of kidnapping him. They then threaten war if the boy is not returned.
Season 1, episode 19
W: Jim Tisdale D: John Bowab
With Greg Finley (Fireman). Benson and Kraus huddle together for warmth when they get locked in the mansion's freezer.
Season 1, episode 20
W: Rick McCurdy, Jeff Levin D: John Bowab
With David Huddleston (Gibson Gatling). The Governor's loudmouth father comes to visit and wreaks havoc among the staff, who fear the move may be permanent.
Season 1, episode 21
W: Rick McCurdy, Jeff Levin D: John Tracy
With Steven Peterman (El Gato), Art Metrano (Capt. Bates), Tom Tully (Reporter), Ken Lerner (Reporter). An environmentalist visits the governor's mansion in protest of the waste that is being allowed into the state, and refuses to leave until he is heard.
Season 1, episode 22
W: Wally Dalton, Shelley Zellman D: Tony Mordente
With Kene Holliday (Jake), Ralph Manza (Crazy), George Pentecost (Wesley Corbett), Les Lannom (Bulldog), G.W. Bailey (Bartender). Wanting to know how the "little people" really feel about politics, Governor Gatling and Benson visit a seedy bar to listen to the constituents.
Season 1, episode 23
W: Paul Raley D: Tony Mordente
With Jack Dodson (Major), Marshall Thompson (General), Anthony Charnota (Sergeant), Raymond Singer (Harmon). Army representatives visit the mansion to take Benson into custody as a result of confusion pertaining to records from his service during the Korean War, and Benson discovers that he was a victim of secret experiments involving germ warfare.
Season 1, episode 24
W: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman D: Don Barnhart
With Murphy Cross (Lorraine). Marcy is hesitant to go on vacation because she's worried that her replacement may do a better job.
October 31, 1980: Thick As Thieves
Season 2, episode 1
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: John Rich
With Pierrino Mascarino (Kurt), Mitchell Group (Willard), Clyde Kusatsu (Stan). Benson and Kraus are taken hostage during a convenience store robbery, and it takes all of Benson's diplomacy to keep her from goading the gunmen into shooting them.
Season 2, episode 2
W: Rich Reinhart D: John Rich
With James Callahan (Dr. Phillips), Ysabel MacCloskey (Nurse Platt), Dee Dee Bridgewater (Michelle). Benson collapses and is hospitalized for tests, so Clayton starts looking to replace him as head of household staff. A visitor holds the key to what Benson's ailment is.
Season 2, episode 3
W: Bob Colleary, Tom Whedon D: John Rich
With Jerry Seinfeld (Frankie). The staff starts tearing up the mansion after Benson and Kraus find a letter written by a former governor telling of a stash of gold hidden somewhere on the premises.
Season 2, episode 4
W: Rick McCurdy, Jeff Levin D: John Rich
With Luis Avalos (Alonzo), Julio Medina (Ambassador Corzo), James Martinez (Lou), Carlos Rivas (Howard). The Governor is hosting a dinner to raise money for a hospital in a third world country, and Clayton requires the entire staff to attend in costume. During the dinner, a group of revolutionaries seeks to steal a golden statue from the mansion.
Season 2, episode 5
W: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman D: John Rich
With Warren Munson (Leon Whitley), Alex Henteloff (Ralph Krupnick), Barbara Babcock (Lily Maxwell). The Governor has a female escort for a special reception and Katie is jealous -- and afraid that it means that he will be getting married.
Season 2, episode 6
W: Bud Slocomb, Len Riley D: John Rich
With Jerry Seinfeld (Frankie), Ray Stewart (Mr. Pruitt). Gretchen attends night classes in order to prepare for her American citizenship test, but fails the exam.
Season 2, episode 7
W: Bob Colleary D: John Rich
With Jerry Seinfeld (Frankie), Beverly Todd (Casey Turner), Bob Delegall (Father Patton), Paul Marin (Rabbi Weiss). Benson's summer romance follows him home from the Caribbean at the same time important religious leaders are visiting the mansion. The uninvited guest threatens to disrupt the conference and get Benson fired.
Season 2, episode 8
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: John Rich
With Myron Natwick (Pilot). The pilot of an aircraft carrying Benson, Marcie, Clayton and the Governor becomes ill and it is up to the Governor and Benson to fly the plane.
Season 2, episode 9
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: John Rich
With Dorothy Green (Libby Gatling). During a visit, the Governor's sister declares that the environment in which Katie is being raised is not good for her and convinces the Governor to send her to boarding school.
Season 2, episode 10
W: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman D: John Rich
With Fay Hauser (Rhonda Page). Benson, wanting to be alone, moves into an apartment which is intended to give him a place to escape from the mansion on weekends.
Season 2, episode 11
W: Bob Colleary, Tom Whedon D: John Rich
With Shavar Ross (Mike Hopkins), Wendell Wright (Mr. Hopkins), Ben Piazza (Mr. Grunning), Paul Regina (Dominic). Benson becomes the "Big Buddy" to a nine-year-old boy. When he and Katie get caught shoplifting, Benson must try to discover the reason behind the boy's behavior.
Season 2, episode 12
W: Tom Whedon D: John Rich
With Ted Danson (Dan Slater). Marcy's boyfriend Dan, the producer of the Governor's fireside chat, breaks up with her just when she believes he is going to propose.
Season 2, episode 13
W: Bob Colleary D: John Rich
With Ted Danson (Dan), Robert Rockwell (Uncle Henry), William Bogert (Minister), Allyn Ann McLerie (Louise Hill). When Marcy's father is unable to attend her wedding, she selects Benson to walk her down the aisle. But her mother has other ideas.
Season 2, episode 14
W: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman D: John Rich
With Marian Mercer (Trudi). Kraus' childhood rival in Germany, whose boasting she has endured for years, is on her way to America and expects to find the cook married to the Governor.
Season 2, episode 15
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: John Rich
With Beah Richards (Mrs. DuBois), Earl Boen (Mr. Tucker), Donald Bishop (Cabbie). Benson's mother unexpectedly comes to visit -- and unexpectedly passes away.
Season 2, episode 16
W: Tom Whedon, Bob Colleary D: John Rich
With Ed Peck (Capt. McDermott), James Staley (Caldwell). A representative from an airline which opposes a noise abatement bill attempts to bribe Clayton. When Clayton intends to testify against the airline he begins to receive threats, so he moves into the mansion.
Season 2, episode 17
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: John Rich
With Shavar Ross (Mike Hopkins), Wendell Wright (Frank Hopkins), Judy Palumbo (Nurse). After a neighborhood boy wanders onto the governor's property and breaks his arm falling out of a tree, Benson considers becoming the boy's surrogate father.
Season 2, episode 18
W: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman D: John Rich Katie recalls several funny experiences while writing a school essay about her father, Benson, and other members of the staff.
Season 2, episode 19
W: Rich Reinhart D: John Rich
With Ed Peck (Capt. McDermott). An unpopular gubernatorial decision results in demonstrations outside the executive mansion and a series of threatening letters.
Season 2, episode 20
W: Bob Colleary, Tom Whedon D: John Rich
With Jordan Charney (Jack Beddoes), James Gallery (Scooter McFee), Cynthia Harris (Peggy Rhodes), Hugh Gillin (Dr. Wellmont), Burke Byrnes (Sgt. Tomkins). On his way to a Navy reunion, the Governor, along with Benson and Clayton, stop off at a bordello to visit a sick friend. When a fire breaks out across the street, they are afraid to leave in case someone sees them, and so are trapped inside with a muckraking columnist.
Season 2, episode 21
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: John Rich
With Ed Peck (Capt. McDermott). While Benson and Clayton are in the basement storage room, an earthquake hits the area and the two men are trapped.
Season 2, episode 22
W: Rich Reinhart D: John Rich
With Rob Dames (Waiter). Benson saves Kraus' life but wonders if he did the right thing when Kraus' appreciation goes too far.
November 6, 1981: Benson's Appointment
Season 3, episode 1
W: Norman Barasch, Bob Colleary D: John Rich
With Dana Elcar (Senator Chapman). The Governor nominates Benson for the post of budget director, a job requiring the state Senate's confirmation.
Season 3, episode 2
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: John Rich
With Brion James (Axe Man), Don Calfa (Dr. Death), Logan Ramsey (Warden Roberts), Ralph Manza (Inmate), Bill Duke (Mad Dog). Benson goes undercover to investigate conditions and expose corruption in the state prison.
Season 3, episode 3
W: Rich Reinhart D: John Rich
With Ivor Francis (Frederick Selby). A conductor and his orchestra hold a protest concert in Benson's office as he is trying to interview candidates to replace Marcy.
Season 3, episode 4
W: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman D: John Rich
With Murphy Dunne (Agent Smythe), Laurence Haddon (Foster). Benson is asked by the FBI to help them trap a crooked businessman who is attempting to bribe the Governor.
Season 3, episode 5
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: John Rich
With Saundra Sharp (Cynthia Howard). Benson's new girlfriend is a lobbyist for a real estate project being considered by the legislature, and Benson winds up being accused of corruption.
Season 3, episode 6
W: Rob Dames, Michael J. Weithorn, Bob Fraser D: John Rich
With Stuart Pankin (Plumber). The Governor holds an encounter session with the staff.
Season 3, episode 7
W: Russ Woody D: John Rich
With Rosalind Cash (Elizabeth). While Benson is saddened to learn that his old flame is now confined to a wheelchair, Clayton is trying to celebrate his birthday.
Season 3, episode 8
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: John Rich
With Ed Peck (Capt. McDermott), Meg Wyllie (Nellie). Clayton claims that he was assaulted by something from outer space, Benson is mugged and a daffy woman wanders into the mansion and accosts the Governor, so Benson approves drastic new security measures.
Season 3, episode 9
W: Korby Siamis D: John Rich Kraus has everyone suspicious because she is acting happy. She has fallen in love with a government official, but the man turns out to be less than honest.
Season 3, episode 10
W: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman D: John Rich Everyone learns a hard lesson when they realize that even a "sure fire hit" in the stock market is not always a safe bet.
Season 3, episode 11
W: Rich Reinhart D: John Rich
With James Callahan (Dr. Phillips), Freddye Chapman (Nurse). Kraus tries to live life to the absolute fullest after she gets the idea that she only has six months to live.
Season 3, episode 12
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: John Rich
With John C. Becher (Governor Mulligan), Fionnula Flanagan (Rose Sullivan). The former Governor and his niece -- to whom Clayton is quite attracted -- pay his successor a visit.
Season 3, episode 13
W: David Langston Smyrl D: John Rich
With Jesse D. Goins (Calvin), Kevin Guillaume (Mr. Klein), Larry B. Scott (Little John), Sal Lopez (Spider), Louis Rivera (Pac Man). Benson tries to help a street gang stay out of trouble by suggesting the members bid for a job in the city which requires a government contract.
Season 3, episode 14
W: David Langston Smyrl D: Linda Day
With Barry Pearl (Jerry Ziegler). Katie starts to get a crush on Pete after he takes her on a "date" to a gymnastics meet.
Season 3, episode 15
W: Rich Reinhart D: John Rich
With Fran Ryan (Molly Emerson), Starletta DuPois (Reporter). Benson, as president of his condominium's tenant association, is asked to contact the landlord to demand repairs -- then finds out Clayton is the owner of the building and his landlord.
Season 3, episode 16
W: Ralph Phillips D: John Rich
With Jack Dodson (Mac McFadden), Timothy Stack (C.C. McFadden). A wealthy investor blackmails Denise into dating him. After the disastrous date, Benson and the others plan an elaborate trick on the man.
Season 3, episode 17
W: Rob Dames, Russ Woody, Bob Fraser D: John Rich
With Michael Ensign (Wally), Norman Bartold (Taylor). After borrowing Benson's car, Pete foils a robbery by ramming it into the criminals' getaway car. As a result of the damage, the insurance company cancels Benson's policy.
Season 3, episode 18
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: John Rich
With Jill Jaress (Secretary), Ted Ross (Mr. Hackett), Scatman Crothers (Rev. Thomkins). Benson has his tax records stolen just days before his audit with the IRS, and the agent disallows all of Benson's deductions since there is no proof.
Season 3, episode 19
W: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman D: John Rich Benson, the Governor, Clayton and Pete are at each other's throats after playing a round of golf together.
Season 3, episode 20
W: Rich Reinhart D: John Rich
With Percy Rodrigues (Ned Harper), Arlen Dean Snyder (Bill Grady), Melanie Workhoven (Cassie Camaro). The Governor learns a lot about dirty politics when his own party won't support his renomination and instead offers him an ambassador's post in Iceland.
Season 3, episode 21
W: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman D: John Rich
With Robert Symonds (Mountain Man). After visiting his old lumber mill to contemplate his strategy, the Governor decides to run for re-election as an independent.
Season 3, episode 22
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: John Rich
With Paul Hampton (Senator Resnick), Ken Olfson (Wayne Franklin), James Newell (Martin Reed), Ivan Iverson (Mr. Jorgenson). After he mortgages the lumber mill to get campaign funds, the Governor's re-election bid comes to a hectic close and the returns show that he has lost.
October 22, 1982: Death In A Funny Position
Season 4, episode 1
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: Bill Foster
With Keene Curtis (J.D. Cannon), Michael Constantine (Marvin Musker), Ron Carey (Nash), Lynda Day George (Gabrielle Simone), Tab Hunter (Roy Lucas). A yacht cruise on which the whole staff was invited becomes a murder mystery when the owner of the vessel is stabbed to death during the voyage.
Season 4, episode 2
W: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman D: Bill Foster
With Henry Darrow (Generalissimo), Max Thayer (Capt. Zamora), Victor Rivas (Miguel). While attending a conference in Latin America, Benson and Pete are kidnapped by revolutionaries who want six United States fighter jets as ransom.
Season 4, episode 3
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: Tony Singletary
With Tim Reid (Russell DuBois). Benson's resentful younger brother visits him and causes trouble at the same time an important report is due.
Season 4, episode 4
W: Ralph Phillips D: Bill Foster
With Danny Thomas (Charlie Romano), Judyann Elder (Patty Stiles), Don Bovingloh (Jerry Stillwater). The mansion's gardener is about to reach forced retirement age but still wants to work, so he asks for Benson's help.
Season 4, episode 5
W: Richard Vaczy, Don Hart D: Bill Foster
With Lillian Adams (Mrs. Ferguson), Frank Catalano (Mike Rossi), Guillermo San Juan (Ted Barber). Kraus must pass an economics test to keep her job. When she finds out that Benson is going to be her teacher, she thinks that the situation is hopeless.
Season 4, episode 6
W: Ralph Phillips D: Bill Foster
With Ray Girardin (Danny), Alvin Ing (Kim), Charles Cyphers (Scotty), Bill Henderson (Jay). At Benson's Army reunion, hatred surfaces when Kim, a Korean POW they befriended during the war, turns out to have become a successful businessman.
Season 4, episode 7
W: Bob Colleary D: Bill Foster
With Al Fann (Harry Hamilton), Rick Fitts (Mr. Francis), Barney Martin (Frank Cooper), Terence McGovern (Walter Bunt), Bernadette Birkett (Mrs. Kirkwood), Charley Garrett (Mr. Kirkwood), Patricia Colbert (Mrs. Francis). Benson buys a house from a shady real estate salesman and finds that it has many serious problems, so he asks his friends at the governor's mansion for help.
Season 4, episode 8
W: Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman D: Bill Foster
With George Murdock (Officer Grimsby), Barney Martin (Frank Cooper), Donna Lynn Leavy (Officer Marshall). After Benson's condo is robbed, he finds that it won't be easy to motivate the police to catch the crooks.
Season 4, episode 9
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: Rob Dames
With Barbara Perry (Mary Colton), Vernon Weddle (E.G. Slade), Cheryl Epps (Margaret), John Louie (Vin). Benson tries to help an assistant cook whose foster children have been taken away from her at Christmas time.
Season 4, episode 10
W: Rob Dames, Bob Fraser D: Bill Foster
With Julius Carry (Zeke Webster), Bruce Glover (Jack Reynolds), Roger Til (Monsieur Arnaud). Kraus is nervous when her pen pal, just released from prison, visits her hoping to receive the job she had promised in a letter.