Sitcoms today feel safe. You know the drill: everyone ends up happy, the jokes are predictable, and nobody really "grows." But back in 1979, a show called Benson did something wild. It took a sarcastic, sharp-tongued butler from a show called Soap—a guy named Benson DuBois—and moved him into a Governor’s mansion.
Honestly, the cast of Benson tv show wasn’t just a group of actors; they were a masterclass in chemistry. While the show started as a fish-out-of-water comedy, it morphed into a political drama-lite that eventually saw its lead character running for Governor himself.
But what actually happened to the people who made that mansion feel like home? If you’ve ever wondered why that 1986 cliffhanger felt like a punch to the gut, or where the "German" cook ended up, you're in the right place.
The Man Himself: Robert Guillaume’s Groundbreaking Rise
Robert Guillaume didn't just play Benson; he fought for him. In the late 70s, the idea of a Black man playing a "domestic" was controversial. Guillaume was hyper-aware of this. He pushed the writers to make sure Benson wasn't just a caricature. He wanted a man with dignity, brains, and a wit that could cut through the Governor’s political fluff like a hot knife.
It worked.
Guillaume won two Emmys for the role—one for Supporting Actor when the character was on Soap, and another for Lead Actor once he was headlining his own show. After the show ended in 1986, he didn't slow down. You probably recognize his voice even if you haven't seen his face in years; he was the voice of Rafiki in Disney’s The Lion King. He also had a brilliant run on Aaron Sorkin’s Sports Night. Sadly, we lost Robert in 2017 at the age of 89, but his legacy as one of the first Black actors to lead a successful mainstream sitcom remains untouched.
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James Noble and the "Scatterbrained" Governor
Then there was James Noble. He played Governor Eugene X. Gatling. He was lovable, sure, but the guy was basically a walking disaster without Benson. Noble played the "absent-minded professor" type of politician to perfection.
The dynamic between Noble and Guillaume was the engine of the show. It wasn't a master-servant thing; it was a partnership. By the final season, they were literal rivals for the same office. James Noble stayed active in the industry for years, appearing in films like 13 Going on 30 and various Broadway productions before he passed away in 2016 at 94.
Gretchen Kraus: The "German" Cook Who Wasn't
If you grew up watching Benson, you can probably still hear Inga Swenson’s voice shouting, "I hear nothing!" as Gretchen Kraus. She was the formidable, often terrifying German cook who traded barbs with Benson daily.
Here’s the thing that trips people up: Inga Swenson wasn't German. Not even close. She was born in Nebraska. Her accent was so convincing that people were genuinely shocked to hear her speak in real life. Swenson was a two-time Tony nominee who brought a level of theatrical gravity to a sitcom role that could have easily been one-dimensional. She passed away in 2023, leaving behind a legacy of being the perfect comedic foil.
The Star Trek Connection (No, Really)
This is the part of the cast of Benson tv show history that geeks love. If you look at the supporting cast, it’s basically a Star Trek convention.
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- René Auberjonois: Before he was Odo on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, he was Clayton Endicott III, the high-strung, snobbish Chief of Staff. He joined in Season 2 and stayed until the end. René died in 2019.
- Ethan Phillips: Long before he was Neelix on Star Trek: Voyager, he played Pete Downey, the Governor’s press secretary.
It’s kind of wild to think about these two trade-offs. One day they're arguing about state budgets in a mansion, and a decade later, they’re in heavy prosthetics in the Delta Quadrant.
The Curious Case of Missy Gold
Missy Gold played the Governor’s daughter, Katie Gatling. We saw her grow up on screen, going from a precocious kid to a teenager. But unlike many child stars of the 80s, Missy took a hard left turn away from Hollywood.
She basically quit acting after Benson. She went to Georgetown, got her Ph.D., and became a licensed psychologist. Honestly, good for her. It’s rare to see a child actor transition so completely into a "normal," high-achieving life outside the spotlight.
The Ending That Still Bothers Everyone
We have to talk about the finale. It’s legendary for all the wrong reasons.
The final episode ends with Benson and Governor Gatling sitting in the kitchen, watching the election results on TV. The news anchor is about to announce the winner, and... freeze frame. Series over.
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ABC cancelled the show without a proper resolution. They actually filmed three different endings:
- Benson wins.
- The Governor wins.
- A tie.
The showrunners actually intended for it to be a tie, which would have led to a wild Season 8 where they had to share power or figure out a bizarre legal workaround. There were even rumors that Benson was eventually supposed to end up as the President of the United States. We never got to see it, and for fans who spent seven years watching Benson climb from butler to Lieutenant Governor, it felt like being ghosted by a long-term partner.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to revisit the mansion, here's the reality of how to do it in 2026:
- Streaming is Hit or Miss: Because of complex licensing (the show moved between production companies), Benson isn't always on the "big" platforms like Netflix. Check Tubi or Pluto TV; they often carry these classic Sony-owned titles for free with ads.
- The DVD Situation: Only the first few seasons were ever officially released on DVD in a major way. If you want the full seven-season run, you’re usually looking at "manufactured on demand" sets or secondary market finds on eBay.
- The Jerry Seinfeld Trivia: If you’re a completionist, look for Season 2. A young Jerry Seinfeld was actually a cast member for a few episodes as "Frankie the Delivery Boy." He was fired pretty quickly because the role didn't fit his style, but it’s a fun "before they were famous" moment to hunt down.
Whether you're a nostalgia hunter or a newcomer, the show holds up because it focused on competence. Benson was the smartest guy in the room, and watching him navigate a world that underestimated him is still incredibly satisfying today.