Karla DeVito on Letterman, 1982, 1984

[@KarlaDeVito]

Don!!!!!! Thanks so much for posting - have been looking for the second episode as it was after my first baby Lyric was born and he was happy for me to show adorable pix of her!!! BTW - I was on Letterman one other time - after my first LP was released in October of 1981 with my fabulous Is This A Cool World or What?!! Band - interviewed by Dave and performed Midnight Confessions with my band - It was recorded the first week he was in his studio with a live audience and Paul Shaffer and his band - working out the kinks. We had a blast and they thought at some point they would run them, but it did not happen. He promised to have me back (but it was a year later and my band was not together - so Paul and I did Where the Boys Are with my pals the Blend-o-matics (Rory Dodd and Eric Troyer) I think I have a copy of that first one somewhere and with post for posterity!

[@dongiller]

Karla!!!! :) So nice of you to post in here. I had heard that you were looking for these clips, so I had to oblige. Yeah, it was the 5th (of 6) Late Night "shakedown show" from January 27, 1982, when you appeared. The other guest was Soupy Sales. Also Stupid Pet Tricks. It's one of the very few shows I don't have. Damn.

[@KarlaDeVito]

When I find it - I will share!!!!

[@staroscar4634]

That is so nice tnat u posted a comment Karla. I have to admit I did not know too much about u and Robbie. Since I had my treatment in 2016 for breast cancer, mastectomy, chemo, radiation and still struggling with recovery even being almost 2 yrs in remission. Once I go for my mammo and mri in March and get the clear I can say 2yrs. So anyways (sorry I know I blabber on) I watch movies on utube and like to google about the actors after. I saw "All the kind strangers" so that is how I learned about Robbie and ur lovely love story . U two r so sweet and some ppl r cynical and I hate when they assume all actors and singers cheat, do drugs and end up divorcing. This is a prime example of ur sweetness, u did not need to make a comment but u did for Don. Oops I just thought of something. In no way am I asking u to reply LOL. I tried acting, had an agent etc it is so hard. So congrats on ur successes.

[@jjmftw6347]

Karla DeVito what was it like doing paridise by the dashbord light like with mestloaf

[@im1who84u]

No "autotune" for this girl...she's the real deal.

[@cjhoward409]

She graduated from my high school and she came to our high school and helped with our musicals. Such fun !!!

[@robertphillips8915]

I had the great pleasure of working with this lovely, talented lady and her equally talented husband in a production of Evita. Was an amazing experience. They are both kind and generous people.

[@hookahb8299]

Wow man thats cool

[@ghostwolf1435]

That’s very cool 😮Wow! I had no idea she’s married to Robbie Benson

[@michaelhoey9668]

what a wonderful personality KARLA is

[@christineveazey4345]

I love her! This is what you call multi-tasking on stage. Being her more than gracious self, she handled an audience to bring out their best behavior, and even managed brighten Dave up since he was in such a bad mood at the time.

[@Zebra_3]

Cher called him an asshole to his face.

[@spionsilver9626]

God she could belt these vocals out incredible singer !

[@glk5960]

This woman is fantastic!

[@alanm1894]

Karla has such a gorgeous voice but will always be remembered for the Meatloaf connection.

[@reddragonready]

You make it sound like that is a bad thing

[@alanm1894]

@@reddragonready Honestly, that is not true. She had an amazing voice.

[@Coolrockndad]

Karla has such a great coy look on her face especially in "Paradise By The Dashboard Light". I for one couldn't stop watching that video because of her coyness looks.

[@eurofritz4617]

She had to do something to make that part her own since she was lip syncing to the original singers track

[@thomaskemer8109]

Watch her closely on the second chorus of Hot summer night!!-- just WOW!!

[@stevenmeyer9674]

@@eurofritz4617 She wasn't lip synching . They just didn't use her vocals on the video.

[@princessmissy50]

I think she has the cutest smile i have ever seen! No wonder Robby Benson is so crazy about her

[@alanm1894]

Such an awesome singer.

[@clemdane]

God I loved this show! This is when I started watching it, when I was around 12.

[@durkbouma6642]

Great tot watch, boy what was music good those years and still, bringing the soul to the music

[@honeypot-pd2oc]

damn i got goose bumps when she cut loose! loved her with meat loaf

[@royalsfan]

I panicked for a second. Usually Donz posts these types of clips when a celebrity has passed. Its good to know Karla is alive and still kickin'.

[@martincosby9743]

She is truly adorable

[@ockertvanzyl5340]

Fantastic thanks for sharing she is stunning ❤️❤️❤️

[@honeybadger3408]

SO Talented! GREAT Vocalist.

[@burntvirtue]

She rocked the lace gloves and tulle skirt 2 years before Madonna made it a fad.

[@cathyl4953]

And...she can actually sing...act...dance...and she has a great personality....Madonna socks.

[@cathyl4953]

Chrissie Hynde had lace gloves in the late 70s

[@PatrickRamirez-oo6pz]

Karla is the original you're rite.

[@hookahb8299]

She is such a Sweetheart...!!!!....What a beauty!!!

[@HarveyBacktheBeatles]

I met her at Steel City Con in April 2022. Meat Loaf was supposed to come back after his high selling appearance that previous August of which I was a part of. Sadly he had passed on by then. Anyway Karla was just supposed to be there supporting Robby Benson and his Beauty and the Beast Panel. Well when it was confirmed that she was coming I was really excited. I couldn't find my Breakfast Club CD so I bought her first album on Vinyl for them to sign. I also bought the movie Modern Love that they starred in together and Robby wrote and directed. Both were very sweet. She was so tickled that I was there for her. I didn't know her music super well yet but as a Breakfast Club fan "We Are Not Alone" is a very important song. Robby co-wrote it specifically for her to sing for the movie. Even though she was wearing a mask she clearly had that sweetheart smile.

[@loriolson1143]

She's a leftist a hole

[@mikestugats]

I can see why she's called The Sweetheart of Rock and Roll!

[@mablesyrup1571]

She was just adorable!

[@stephenlacey653]

I saw meatloaf twice, once to see him and then to see Karla, simply beautiful ❤️❤️

[@ant-ekay7215]

Karla you were kick ass in Paradise by the dashboard light! I know every single word of both you and meatloaf. Love that video.

[@michellerene951]

I was 2 weeks shy of turning 16. I love Karla's voice!

[@mayort2688]

She sings when she talks. I could listen to her voice forever.

[@Sunflowermeadows777]

She reminds me of Rizzo from Grease when she smiles at the camera and makes a funny face.

[@nvjakobek]

Stockard Channing wishes she could be this cute haha

[@vincegedeon6583]

She's beautiful 😍

[@ChrisMayek]

Thank you!

[@mslauralew]

Happy birthday, Robbie Benson!! Happy birthday to me.

[@nigelbrown2933]

Lovely lady, a very nice person,I remember having a crush on her as a kid when she first was on the meatloaf songs.

[@robertthomas5736]

It's Almost The Fortieth Anniversary of Late Night

[@GKRENKEL]

Karla back in the day.. Great video. She with Meatloaf ..years earlier.. sizzled with "Paradise"

[@robertthomas5736]

Lady Karla Devito, Singer and Broadway Actress

[@michaelmuller5867]

From back when women could sing and she did it wonderful. Good I loved her ❤️

[@jimrauh3584]

Huh? Women have always been able to sing. Apparently, you haven't been looking too hard AND in the wrong places.

[@jimrauh3584]

@Michael H. Oh I understand but there's plenty of strong women singers today if you just look a little below the mainstream surface.

[@johngilliam6764]

@@jimrauh3584 Name some

[@jimrauh3584]

@@johngilliam6764 You can't be serious. Did you even try to "look"? Looks like Michael H has fled the scene.

[@johngilliam6764]

@@jimrauh3584 Yeah I tried to look,if you can't name some don't be embarrassed we already think less of you

[@michaelt.wardlespider2496]

As a teen I fell in love with her after seeing the Paradise video.

[@darbyheavey406]

This Fox married Robby Benson….still married…..congrats to the happy couple…

[@tracychavez7914]

The interview that I wanted to last longer.

[@nediswierd5342]

Karla! You are a town legand back home in Mokena and new Lenox! I hope you havnt forgotten about us haha

[@Kathleen-n3r]

Loved your rendition of this song ❤ and standing up for Meatloaf👍

[@Fred-gv3kh]

Someone mentioned that she rocked those gloves 2 years before Madonna. As a human being, though she didn’t achieve the fame of Madonna, I wouldn’t trade a sweet, loving, down to earth, humble woman like her for 10 arrogant, calculating, self-absorbed Madonnas!!

[@petradevries8839]

i agree

[@loriolson1143]

She's a leftist jerk plus she sucks as a singer

[@loriolson1143]

She didn't rock those gloves 2 years before Madonna. Madonna was singing in clubs way before her 1983 album. Karla is not even close ti being the talent Madonna is. Not even close

[@jimmie200]

She is such a talent!

[@roohoo4395]

❤ this gal FOREVER!!❤❤❤

[@magnuswettermark8293]

Totaly lovely lady..

[@lazerlazer]

I noticed her in the video of Paradise by the dashboard light with meatloaf and oh my goodness she is the complete opposite of that so sweet and shy. She is also very intelligent and witty so don’t be fooled by Meatloaf’s video ha, ha.

[@mcy2phil]

She lip synched the song. Ellen Foley sang the song. Devito was a front.

[@Coolrockndad]

@@mcy2phil Best lip-synched work of all time for sure. Just loved her coyness smiles.

[@paultynan8705]

Sooo her 11 month old baby is almost 40🙄 just wow

[@ghostwolf1435]

She was so cute

[@tomflorio3639]

Was the crowd asleep every time Robby Benson's name was mentioned? Dude was a huge star, it's like they never heard the name before.

[@dongiller]

Someone on my channel recently commented that this person had never heard of Phil Hartman. Generations come and go.

[@tomflorio3639]

@@dongiller true enough, but Letterman had a hip, young audience. People in their twenties, at the time of these episodes, would have to have been living under a rock to not remember Benson from their teen years. The dude was huge in the '70s (esp with teen girls); even if his career was between peaks at the time these shows aired, he'd def made a name for himself. I just don't get an entire audience being that clueless. Oh well - thanks for posting these vids, Karla was great in both!

[@gmartinz01]

40 YEARS AGO!!!!!!

[@sdushdiu]

Karla will always be hot!

[@kimmeee2166]

Karla....did you actually sing the part of paradise by the dashboard light when you were on tour?

[@stebolian]

Sounded like her

[@johnhughes1783]

Everyone says yes on the lip synching. Studio recording used Ellen Foley's voice, they felt Ellen wasn't as exciting for live tours as Karla.

[@StatusQuonald]

Yes. The record is Ellen Foley, but live it's Karla. Ellen had other commitments so couldnt join on the road.

[@timwarne6923]

Check out the Old Grey Whistle Test version!

[@mcy2phil]

She sang it on tour but not on the official video or album. Ellen Foley sang on the album and video with Karla doing lip synch for the video.

[@miguelangelaguilar]

Nice & Lovely... 🥰

[@twikirobot6897]

❤

[@elodevi]

In. Backing vicals Eric Troyer who recorded Woman with John Lennon. Forme member of ELO part II and Orchestra today in 2024

[@inlakesh555]

Rory Dodd on backing vocals

[@gterrymed]

The American Kate Bush . . .same pitch and same height and overall look as Kate Bush. THE SWEETHEART OF ROCK N ROLL ❤

[@nwgverified]

Is that song based on blue velvet?

[@waynehayes1577]

Gorgeous

[@staroscar4634]

Karla has anyone ever told u sound like Diane Keaton sometimes and have sometimes the same laugh.

[@gallezzo6650]

Beautiful woman

[@sunspotdawn1261]

Factoid: Connie Francis actually wrote the song she first sang way back back back......

[@mpineyro77]

Yes, I have that movie and the song starts as soon as the movie starts. Amazing movie

[@johnhughes1783]

Yep!

[@Grogfury777]

I saw Neil Sedaka in concert once and he said that he had written the song?

[@rapman5791]

Factoid: Connie Francis did not write Where the Boys Are. It was written by Neil Sedaka and Howie G

[@sunspotdawn1261]

She wrote it.

[@DTatMC]

Lryic? That's epic!

[@clemdane]

Whoa she was married to Robbie Benson!?

[@ericjablonski8838]

Still. I have hated Robbie Benson for 40 years for stealing her..... LOL...They seem like a great couple.

[@davidgibson7615]

@@ericjablonski8838 I was torn too, but Robby is my hero.

[@pamjarvis9322]

Love love love Robby Benson always have 💙 she is a blessed lady

[@cameramanzoomit]

What was the deal with the audience at the end of the first show?

[@dongiller]

See the Martin Short link in the description.

[@WHAZE100]

Like her "Betty Boop" look.

[@michaelhoey9668]

i loved her husbands performance in the MOVIE JORY

[@charlesincharge3404]

Martin Short got bumped for Karla DeVito 🤣

[@dongiller]

Actually, he didn’t. This was a special 90-minute show with a fake close after the first hour. Marty appeared afterwards.

[@lawtonsegler1923]

She’s a peach!

[@thelatebrianjones]

Believe she's still married to Robby Benson?

[@dongiller]

I believe she is.

[@KarlaDeVito]

Yes!!! Madly in love - since 1982!!! xoxo

[@sydneyfarhang3177]

This is adorable!!!! Love you.

[@sebastianelytron8450]

@@KarlaDeVito God I hate these fake imitation accounts. Do people really think we believe them? I'm waiting for "Donald Trump" to reply to me lmao

[@jimrauh3584]

@@sebastianelytron8450 Obviously laughing by yourself again. Uh, it wasn't funny. And Devito is the actual poster so get a grip.

[@Pepe-fi3tg]

🫂🫂🫂😘😘😘💖💖

[@mikecaetano]

Hmm. I wonder if her look influenced Madonna. And the way Letterman was riffing off Meatloaf, it's almost surprising he said nothing about Ode To Billie Joe when he brought up her marriage. For those who aren't old enough to remember the seventies, that was a made for TV movie loosely based on the 1967 Bobby Gentry hit "Ode to Billie Joe" in which Robby Benson played the lead character. They are still married 42 years later. Congratulations to them!

[@jimbo1959]

12 stone is 168 lbs.so, I'm betting Meat was at least double that.

[@IanFindly-iv1nl]

She looks a bit like the actress Diane Franklin.

[@petradevries8839]

she was playbacking the vocals ellen foley but we all new that. during the loung tour with Meat Loaf everything was life great. her voice is better then ellen foley. they make fun of his Wright Meat Loaf not nice. if she liked Meat Loaf i dont no. but perhaps i am wrong. good singer.

[@chatchaat]

you can tell this is early on as Dave is so bad at the small talk and uneasy

[@ts3858]

Whats wrong w her mouth when she smiles in photos w Robby Benson..?

[@johndeaux83]

Absolutely nothing.

[@gerberbernstein7360]

She's cute, but has an Ed Grimley smile.

[@mcy2phil]

Karla Devito is good at lip synching. The singer who sang the song "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" was Ellen Foley. Devito lip synched the song on stage and for the official video.

[@RodsPinballVideos]

For the music video yes, but she was part of the touring band for the album, and clearly didn't lip sync.

[@Fred-gv3kh]

Couldn’t agree more. Her performance on the official video of that song is the best lip-synching performance I’ve ever seen, period. Not just standing still and moving her lips, she was moving around, turning, grabbing the microphone from Meatloaf, etc, and not only did a perfect lip-synch, but gave a wonderful, passionate, fun, loving, believable performance that absolutely made the video. Yes Meatloafwas awesome also, but she made that video a classic. I loved her immediately, just from her facial expressions. My guess is she’s an empath, so good at feeling things and absorbing what’s around her, but almost “too nice” (ie self-effacing) after watching this interview. It makes me just want to hug her… and love her til the end of time, lol. 😁❤

[@PBA309]

Dave Letterman is nothing compared to Craig Ferguson.

[@dongiller]

Craig Ferguson wouldn't have had a show if not for Dave Letterman. Learn your history.

[@tassobear]

what a voice! Babe!