Darrell Utley

Darrell had a tutor on the set just like the other kids.

Everyone was shocked to find out that Benjy was Stefano's son. Benjy loved his dad anyway.

Benjy received an antique snow globe from Stefano in the mail. After the adventure on the island, he was confused. On one hand, he loved his father immensely, but on the other hand, he had seen some strange stuff on the island. Steve and Kayla were troubled by Stefano, and they said that he was a bad man. Benjy knew that they wouldn't lie to him. Benjy felt he needed to see Stefano (the snow globe was an heirloom given to Stefano by his father.) He knew that Roman was going to see him, so Benjy stowed away in his jeep. They wound up in a mountain cabin, where Benjy made his presence known to Stefano. He welcomed him, then tucked him in bed while he took care of Roman. Instead of going to sleep, Benjy followed him. While Stefano was arguing with Roman about having to pick either Marlena or Diana, Benjy ran into the room and told Stefano to stop. Stefano asked him to go back to bed. {Photos and info courtesy Ken}

Benjy refused to go back to bed. Stefano said that he was trying to protect him, but Benjy said that he was "bad". He did this by signing and by mouthing the word "bad" at the same time. The sign itself is very dramatic and it hurt Stefano very much to be called "bad" by his own son. Stefano had become convinced that Roman was responsible for Benjy's deafness even though it had been his own fault. {Photos and info courtesy Ken}

Stefano then had Roman taken away so he could speak privately with Benjy. He sat Benjy on a bed and he kneeled in front of him. When Stefano talked to Benjy, he always got to Benjy's eye level. He never talked down to him. Stefano told Benjy that he loved him very much and that everything he was doing was for Benjy's own good. Benjy also told Stefano that he loved him. {Photos and info courtesy Ken}

Stefano believed that Benjy had seen things his way and gave him a warm hug, but Benjy was still very upset. Darrell Utley played Benjy exceptionally well, especially with his eyes. You could tell how Benjy was feeling just by looking at them. {Photos and info courtesy Ken}

When Stefano took Benjy's hand to take him back to his room, Benjy said "no." Benjy could speak a lot of words and would occassionally say something instead of signing. Usually it was when he was being emphatic about something. {Photos and info courtesy Ken}

Stefano realized that Benjy had lost the unconditional trust he'd once had in him. Realizing that he would probably better off with Steve and Kayla, Stefano told him to go back to them with Roman and Diana. Before leaving, Benjy wanted to return the snow globe to Stefano. Stefano said "I cannot keep that" and Benjy signed "I can't keep it, either." After seeing how much it meant to Stefano for him to keep the globe, Benjy put it back in his backpack. After Benjy left, Stefano cried. {Photos and info courtesy Ken}

After Benjy found Roman and Diana, Roman picked him up and got ready to leave with him. Stefano silently walked into the room to watch his son leave. Roman and Diana didn't see him there, but Benjy did. {Photos and info courtesy Ken}

As Roman and Diana were leaving the cabin, Benjy waved goodbye to Stefano. Stefano then waved back and whispered, "Goodbye, my son." {Photos and info courtesy Ken}

Benjy spent his first Christmas in Salem with Steve and Kayla. They went for a walk on the pier. Steve signed to Benjy, "Do you want to go on a sleigh ride?" Kayla wondered how he would get a sleigh, but Steve reminded her that he got her a gondola for their wedding, so anything was possible. Benjy knew Steve would come through. His smile got bigger and bigger as he thought about it.

As Steve and Kayla talked, Benjy looked around on the pier. He saw someone selling nuts. He pulled on Steve to get his attention. Steve turned around and Benjy told him he wanted some of the nuts. Steve gave him money and sent him off.

Benjy had a gift for Steve and Kayla. It was a picture of his family.

Benjy signed to Steve and Kayla, "Thank you for being my family." Steve told him, "You don't have to thank us. We're happy to have you with us."

Kayla told Benjy they would have the best Christmas ever. Then Steve gave him a kiss.

Steve pulled Benjy close to them. He said this was "everybody." It was all the family they needed. They were headed off to the Bradys for the Christmas celebration.

Steve asked the family to toast the "Benjymonkey" on his first Christmas with the Brady family. Steve had lots of adoring nicknames for Benjy, as he did for everyone.

Benjy was happy to be part of a family again. He'd had a rough year, living with his mother, grandmother and then father before finally finding a home with Steve and Kayla.

Benjy fit right in to the happy family.

As Shawn said a prayer, everyone closed their eyes to pray, including Benjy. He observed the prayer like everyone else, even though he couldn't hear what was being said.

Benjy signs "Silent Night" while the rest of the Brady family sings the song.

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