The final two actors to leave Benson were Didi Conn and Ethan Phillips. The two characters were both written off the program in early season 6.

Didi Conn, who played a much ditzier secretary than the Marcy character portrayed by Caroline McWilliams, got bored with her role. She did not resent or hate the character like Lewis J. Stalden did in 1979, but Conn felt that it was one note and had nowhere to go. She was not enjoying coming to work anymore, and just wanted to be done with it.

Ethan Phillips played Pete Downey, the governor's press secretary. He had been there since season 2, with Lewis J. Stadlen's character essentially being split in two, with Phillips doing the press secretary type parts, and Auberjonois doing the other chief of staff stuff. Phillips' character Pete was portrayed as buffoonish and often the butt of jokes, but he didn't mind at all. He liked the steady work and paycheck.

Phillips was quite upset when Conn asked to leave the show. Why? Because the two actors had just seen their characters marry, and it was decided that they did not want to present a divorce so quickly. Producers informed Phillips that, while they were very happy with his work, his character simply could not continue on the show once Conn left. Phillips was very upset about this and kept asking if there was a way around this, but he was told no. Elderly actress Billie Bird was brought on in their place.




When it was all done after seasons, only Guillame (Benson), James Noble (governor), Gold (Katie), and Inga Swenson (Kraus the German-born mansion cook) survived the entire series.

As many of these actors were not young, several have passed away. Guillame, Noble, Aubernojois, McWilliams, Swenson, and Bird all are no longer with us.

You can find the etire Benson series on YouTube if you wish to watch it again.

Thank you for coming with me on this trip down Benson memory lane.