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"I hate sports."
— Marissa in iGo to Toledo

Marissa Benson is a recurring character on iCarly and iCarly (2021). She is the mother of Freddie Benson and step-grandmother to Millicent Mitchell, as well as the wife to Lewbert Sline.

284px-Mrs BensonAndLewbert

Marissa Benson and Lewbert, the doorman of Bushwell Plaza.

Biography

Marissa Benson is a woman who resides in Seattle. Marissa is a part-time nurse and Head of the Building Watch Patrol in Bushwell Plaza.[6] She comes from a family of fencers.

Marissa was married to Mr. Benson and had one child, Freddie Benson, with him. The whereabouts of Mr. Benson are unknown as Marissa is shown to be the sole guardian of Freddie. She is the devoted and caring mother of Freddie Benson (see Maddie for their mother/son relationship). Freddie likely took on Marissa's last name as it was revealed that Marissa's side of the family is the Bensons.[12]

In his late 20s, Freddie was forced to move back in with his mother following two divorces and the failure of his tech start-up company. He brought Millicent, his adopted daughter from one of his marriages, with him.

Physical Appearance

Marissa Benson is a middle-aged woman with brown hair and brown eyes.

Personality

Marissa is shown to be nosy, aware of everything, overprotective, and borderline psychotic. However, she is a caring and devoted mother who would go to great lengths to protect Freddie from anything and everything that might be even remotely dangerous to him. This decreases after iMove Out, in which she promises never to embarrass Freddie again (including unblocking all of the channels on his TV), Freddie threatening that he would move out again. Despite that, she is still somewhat overprotective of him, as seen in iBeat the Heat and iPsycho. Marissa is an anti-hero throughout the series, due to her overprotective, cautious, and sometimes selfish personality, but she at times is shown to be kind and gentle (such as when she cares for Lewbert when he is hurt in iHurt Lewbert).

Marissa regularly gives her son tick baths and possesses an industrial-sized first aid kit. According to iMove Out, she was pregnant with Freddie for 11 months to "make sure that he was done."

Imgesss

Marissa Benson with an injured Lewbert.

In iFence, Mrs. Benson becomes particularly upset when Freddie takes up fencing. It turns out she comes from a long line of fencers and she, herself, once took up the sport because her father made her (he'd been a part of The Fencin' Bensons) and became addicted to it. She initially objected to Freddie fencing, but eventually relented, later revealing that she is herself a skilled double-sword fencer.

302px-Marissa Benson3

Marissa Benson, Freddie's mom.

Her relationship with Carly Shay and Sam Puckett is one of general tolerance. She agreed to allow Freddie, and the girls, to go to Japan to collect their iWeb Award only if she came along, (iGo to Japan). Although she generally seems to like Carly and even implied she would like her to be Freddie's girlfriend in iWill Date, Freddie, she became hostile towards her when Carly supported Freddie's fencing, and then later again after Freddie was hurt from saving Carly's life in iSaved Your Life when she caught them kissing she angrily screamed, "What the yuck?!" Just before the kissing, she said to Carly, referring to Freddie hit by the taco truck, "It should have been you!" This proves that Mrs. Benson is different from other parents because most parents would be sad that their child's in pain yet proud that he/she made a heroic move saving a life, as opposed to Mrs. Benson, who's instead upset that Freddie's in pain and angry at Carly because she thinks Carly caused the accident. She doesn't approve of Carly as much and also in iBeat the Heat, as she calls Carly a "dummy." She seems to blame Carly for causing her son's injury, although this makes no sense since Freddie saved her life voluntarily.

As for Spencer Shay, her attitude towards him varies from general annoyance and disgust to treating him in an almost motherly way (in several episodes she's seen ordering Spencer about). However, they have shown signs of respect for each other in episodes like iLook Alike when he agrees with her about not letting Carly and Freddie go to an MMA fight, or in iGo to Japan.

However, Marissa's dislike for both Carly and Spencer seems to have gone in the revival series as she respects Spencer more as a person and no longer calls him names; and Marissa spends time with Carly (and Millicent) in iLove Gwen when they have a sleepover. Another example of Marissa liking Carly now is in the season 2 premiere, iGuess Everyone Just Hates Me Now, when Marissa is shown to ship Carly with her son Freddie and even has her grandmother's engagement ring for Freddie to give to Carly in hopes he will propose to her during their fake relationship. This shows how much Marissa has grown fond of Carly and is more than happy to have her as a daughter in law one day. The scenes also show that Carly no longer dislikes Marissa either and likes her more than she did when she and Freddie were kids.

In iChristmas, Carly experiences an alternate reality in which Spencer and Mrs. Benson had fallen in love and were engaged to be married. Since Carly wishing that Spencer was normally caused this alternate reality, Marissa, therefore, just like normal people.

In iHurt Lewbert, she found herself taking care of injured doorman Lewbert Sline, and sparks of romance flew between the two until Freddie, horrified at the prospect of Lewbert being his mother's boyfriend, orchestrated an accident that caused her mothering instinct to kick in. She is now hostile towards Lewbert, as shown in iBeat the Heat.

Although her occupation is unknown, it has been revealed by Dan Schneider that she sometimes occasionally works as a part-time nurse.

She seems (especially in iSaved Your Life) to dislike Carly (although she likes Carly in some episodes) because she "hurt" Freddie (who rescued her), but doesn't show any hate towards Sam, who hurts her son frequently. She may be unaware of Sam's treatment of Freddie - he may never have told her about it, and Sam has never bullied him in front of her. However, in iCan't Take It , she does show hate towards Sam and doesn’t dislike Carly that much. It may also be because Freddie had a crush on Carly, and she sees Carly as someone who takes Freddie's attention away from her. In iMove Out, she mentions that Carly got Freddie interested in girls, causing his "boy chemistry to be out of wack." Judging by Carly’s reactions toward Mrs. Benson, it appears that her dislike of Carly is mutual, as Carly has stated she is a nightmare and said on TV that Carly and Sam said she is a pain.

Ever since iSaved Your Life, Mrs. Benson has shown a dislike towards Carly. Examples are in iBeat the Heat and iSam's Mom as she rudely calls Carly "dummy" or "dumbo." She is also sometimes rude to Spencer, as in iFind Lewbert's Lost Love when she called him stupid.

In iStill Psycho and iToe Fat Cakes, Mrs. Benson is shown to be very neurotic and suffers from Mysophobia (fear of germs) as proven by when she admits to Carly she bathes in her sweatshirt and that she uses hand-sanitizer and a tissue to open her apartment door.

In the revival series, Mrs Benson has been more relaxed, but still occasionally babies Freddie as seen in iStart Over. When it comes to both Carly and Spencer, Mrs Benson shows a lot more respect for the siblings, especially Carly, as seen in iLove Gwen. In the second and third season, Marissa is shown to be on better terms, especially after she gets back together with Lewbert, although she does find it irritating with Carly - who is dating Freddie - when Freddie wants to spend more time with her than his mom in iGo to Toledo, but Marissa does say she doesn't hate Carly like she used to and is just getting used to Freddie spending a lot of his time with Carly. Mrs Benson also is a lot nicer to Spencer as shown in iCreate a New Ecosystem and according to Spencer they have a knock-walk in relationship. She did not trust Pearl at all and seemed to find her irritating.

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A section of the Bensons' apartment.

Relationships

Mr. Benson

(Ex-husband)
Mr. Benson is the ex-husband of Marissa and the father of Freddie Benson. Marissa's ex-husband has never appeared on the show. According to the script of an unaired scene, his name of Leonard. It is likely he divorced Marissa or he passed away.

Freddie Benson

ICarly.S05E07-08.iStill.Psycho.480p.WEB-DL

Marissa and her son Freddie

(February 4, 1994-Present; Son)
Marissa has been very protective of Freddie ever since he was a child. This is due to Freddie's dad either leaving them or having passed away. She used to embarrass him when he was in school or whenever it came to his love life, especially when it came to Carly Shay, Freddie's long time friend and crush. Marissa conquered her fear of heights when Freddie was pushed out of a plane in IGo to Japan and he moved out of their apartment in IMove Out after he couldn't take her behaviour anymore. Marissa's protection for Freddie increased even more after he saved Carly's life from a taco truck. As the original show continued, Marissa learnt to not be so overprotective, but was still like this at times.

ICarly 204 iCupid 405 RT

Marissa and Freddie in the revival

In the revival show, Freddie has moved back in with Marissa after his second divorce from Gwen and brought his adopted daughter Millicent with him. Marissa can still embarrass Freddie at times as seen in iStart Over, but has learnt to respect that he is now an adult and can take care of himself. Marissa's protective side to Freddie is not as obvious as the seasons go on but they generally care for one another. In iGo to Toledo, Marissa is upset that Freddie cares more about his girlfriend Carly than her and mentions that she hates change when it comes to Freddie, but learns to understand how important Freddie and Carly are to each other and comes closer with her as she understands how happy Freddie is with Carly.

Lewbert Sline

(Husband)

IHave A Proposal (3)

In iHurt Lewbert, Marisa took care of Lewbert when he was injured. They developed a relationship, but later broke up.[13] They appear together for the first time in years in the revival episode iObject, Lewbert! where they kiss. They date for some time again but break up some time before iThrow a Flawless Murder Mystery Party and are broken up again by the events of that episode. However, they reconciled again sometime around the events of the season 3 premiere, iBuckled. Marissa proposed to Lewbert and they became engaged. They had their bachelor and bacholette parties in iGo to Toledo, and eloped in iHave A Proposal.

Millicent Mitchell

Millicent & Marissa (3x07)

(2020-Present; Step-Granddaughter)
Millicent and her adopted grandmother have bonded well and Millicent calls her Grandma B. Mrs. Benson provides bubble baths for Millicent and they both bond over Toledo House Flip. Marissa seems to really love spending time with Millicent and supports her in her activities, like when Marissa went to see Millicent's play. The two are extremely close and Millicent tries to do whatever she can to be the Maid of Honour at Marissa's wedding. Even though Marissa chooses her book club friend Danica as her Maid of Honour, she and Lewbert ask Millicent to be their officiant and marry them, instead, which Millicent happily agrees too. They go to Toledo, Ohio, together with. Danica, Carly and Harper, for Marissa's bacholette party. Millicent was excited about officiating Marissa and Lewbert's wedding in iHave A Proposal, until Marissa and Lewbert decided to run off to Vegas and elope.

Carly Shay

Jj011810 07

Marissa and Carly in the original show.

(2005-present; Former Frenemy; Friends, Almost Daughter-In-Law)
In the original series, Mrs Benson was fond of Carly and wanted her to date Freddie until he saved her life from a truck, which caused Marissa to hold a grudge against Carly for years. However, almost 10 years later in the revival series, Marissa and Carly are shown to be friends and Marissa no longer dislikes Carly. The two spend time together (with Millicent) in iLove Gwen, but a big moment for the two is in the season 2 premiere, iGuess Everyone Just Hates Me Now, when Carly and Freddie are fake dating and Marissa wants them to get married by showing Carly her grandmother's engagement ring that she wants Freddie to give to Carly, showing that Marissa no longer dislikes Carly and is starting to see her as her own daughter.

Carly & Marissa (3x07, 5)

Marissa and Carly in the revival.

Following Freddie's new official relationship with Carly, Marissa learns to accept Carly as Freddie's girlfriend and get closer to her as a result. In iGo to Toledo, Carly throws Marissa a bachelorette party in Toledo and really wants to impress her and show she is a good girlfriend to Freddie. Carly rescues Marissa when they are trapped and they become closer. Carly also confesses to Marissa that she would like to marry Freddie one day and officially be part of the Benson family, as well as saying she will always be their biggest cheerleader. In iCreate a New Ecosystem, Marissa is shown to be supportive of Carly and Freddie's relationship, especially when she thinks the couple are expecting a baby together although it is a misunderstanding. In iHave A Proposal, Marissa asks Carly to be her maid of honour which she accepts, and Carly almost becomes Marissa's daughter-in-law when she almost marries Freddie, until they are interrupted.

Spencer Shay

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Marissa and Spencer kiss in iChristmas.

(2008; Alternate Reality Fiancé, 2009-Present; Friends)
In iChristmas, Marissa was the alternate-reality fiancé of Spencer. Carly did not approve of this relationship and screamed when she saw them together. Spencer often agreed with Marissa when Carly was younger like in iLook Alike, when he agreed with her about not letting Carly and Freddie go to an MBA fight as it was too dangerous. Years later in the revival, Marissa and Spencer are a lot friendlier with each other and have more respect for one another. Spencer is the one who supposedly records Marissa proposing to Lewbert for her (until it looks like Freddie is proposing to Carly) and Spencer is very happy for Marissa, happy to celebrate her engagement with Lewbert in iBuckled. Marissa comes to Spencer in iCreate a New Ecosystem for help when Lewbert wants to have an ant farm. According to Spencer, he and Marissa have a knock-walk-in friendship (due to knowing each other for years) and Spencer offers to let Marissa and Lewbert move into his apartment with him as they can't decide where to live, although Marissa does say she would rather die than live with Spencer.

Danica

(Unknown-Present; Best Friend)
Danica is Marissa's best friend from her book club, who is first mentioned in IBuckled. Its unknown how long they have been friends but it appears to have been for some time. Marissa asks Danica to be her maid of honour at her wedding to Lewbert Sline, which she agrees. They go to Toledo Ohio to celebrate Marissa's bachelorette party, with Carly, Harper and Millicent. In IHave A Proposal. Danica decorates the wedding venue very French which Marissa hates so she fires her as the maid of honour and gives the role to Carly instead. Marissa later texts Danica to let her know that she and Lewbert decided to elope in Las Vegas as they had originally planned.

Trivia

Mrsbensonointment
  • In iMove Out, she promised to Freddie that she would no longer act overprotective towards him, but in further episodes, she breaks her promise.
  • She often gave Freddie tick baths as a child, however switched to an industrial cleaner slime time around 2010.
  • In IBuckled, Freddie says Mrs. Benson and Lewbert's relationship is awkward.
  • She shows some interest in sculpting because Freddie talks about her going to pottery classes at "Color Me Pot". (iFence)
  • Mrs. Benson slapped Lewbert so hard that she popped his wart, this is one of many times something hurt Lewbert's wart. (iBeat the Heat)
  • She comes from a family of fencers and was forced to fence by her parents. Despite this, she hates fencing and tried to stop Freddie from fencing, so he doesn't become obsessed with it, like her father and grandfather were. (iFence)
  • She used to drive a Prius until Spencer stole its battery to power a helmet. (iGo To Japan)
  • Sometimes she likes to make rhyming sentences, usually to make Freddie do something he doesn't want to, i.e. eat mushrooms or sit up straight. (iHurt Lewbert, iWill Date Freddie, iMove Out, and iBeat the Heat)
  • It's possible that Mrs. Benson is divorced or a widower, seeing as her husband is never shown or heard. Some hints are in iChristmas where she and Spencer are engaged. Another hint is in iHurt Lewbert where she had a little relationship with Lewbert, only for that to end when Lewbert shows his true self when Freddie orchestrates getting hurt by falling down the stairs. Also, in iHurt Lewbert, Carly and Sam joke that, if Marissa and Lewbert continued dating, they would be married and that Lewbert might become Freddie's step-father. This eventually happens when Marissa proposes to Lewbert in IBuckled.
  • A possible reason she could be divorced is that her husband couldn't stand her anymore and left her and Freddie.
  • Another possibility is that Mrs. Benson never had a husband. In iFence we find out she comes from a long line of circus fencers, called The Fencin' Bensons. This implies that her maiden name is Benson. Given that Freddie is also a Benson, it's possible that Mrs. Benson and Freddie's father never married. (Other possibilities do exist, of course.)
  • Marissa means "of the sea", but she thinks it means "honeysuckle" (iHurt Lewbert).
  • Marissa has shown some signs of mental instability, such as screaming loudly and ripping her clothing at the first sign of discord in her life, such as disobedience from Freddie. She also seems to fall into mental disarray at the sight of uncleanliness, regarding things in a childlike manner or convulsing in panic.
  • Marissa's overprotection to her son has paid off in iStill Psycho.
  • She appears again in the Sam & Cat special #TheKillerTunaJump where she thought Freddie was looking at Carly's door even though he was getting a phone call from Cat.
  • In an episode, it was revealed that Mrs. Benson gives Freddie an $8 monthly allowance because she thinks if she gives Freddie more he will buy a bus ticket and leave her. According to Freddie, this is "not really [stupid]", possibly indicating that Freddie's dad bought a bus ticket and left her.
  • It is shown in the revival, especially in iLove Gwen, that Marissa has gotten over her dislike for Carly and respects her unlike in the original series, where she held a grudge against Carly.
  • She has never been to a sleepover.[14]
  • As of iLove Gwen, she doesn't own a smartphone. However in iParty With Victorious, she was seen with a PearPhone meaning she must have downgraded sometime after the original series ended.
  • According to Freddie's blog, How Sam Ruined Our Thanksgiving!, Marissa is very allergic to cats.
  • She ships Creddie.[7][15][5]
  • She used to have G.I problems when Freddie was a child.[16]
  • Marissa appears twice in season 1 and 5 times in both seasons 2 and 3 of the revival.
  • According to Freddie in iGive Away a Car, Marissa wanted a daughter, which is why he was given a jewellery box.
  • She is part of a book club.
  • She hates sports, poor posture, and change, especially when it comes to Freddie.[3]
  • Marissa is the only recurring character to appear in every season of both the original and revival shows.
  • According to Freddie in iGo to Japan, Marissa has a fear of heights but seemingly overcomes it in that episode when she jumps after him, out of a plane.
  • She said in iCreate a New Ecosystem that if she had the choice to live with Spencer or die, she would rather die.
  • Marissa appears to be more laid back in the revival, likely due to Freddie now being an adult, especially after getting engaged to Lewbert in the third season.
  • She, her son, Nevel and Nora are the only characters to appear in all three shows.

Quotes

Marissa: Spencer.
Spencer: Mrs Benson. Freddie, your mom's here.
Marissa: I came over cause I heard screaming. Freddie, are you alright?
Freddie: Yes, Mom.
Spencer: He's fine, but I really--
Marissa: You know he's allergic to fruit?
Sam: Aw. Who's got a fruit problem?
Freddie: Not me, I'm not allergic to fruit.
Marissa: Well, what if you we're? He'd probably give you an orange and then your face would puff up.
Sam: I would love that.
Spencer: Look, I gave him no fruit, now please, I'm out of butter--
Marissa: False. I saw you come home yesterday carrying grocery bags filled with butter.
Spencer: You spied on me?
Marissa: No, I just happened to be glancing through my peephole.
Spencer: Well, that butter's gone, and so am I.
Marissa: What have you done with all that butter?!
Marissa: Freddie, I want you to take a bubble bath tonight.
Marissa: Spencer! [chases him down the hall]
Spencer: I didn't give him any fruit!
Sam: [sarcastically] Cool mom.
(iNevel)


Marissa: I spent 3 weeks making it for you.
Freddie: All right, Mom, I'll wear it! God! [Freddie is seen dressed as witch]
(iScream on Halloween)


Marissa: Okay, but caution! The tip is pointy. (iCarly Saves TV)


Marissa: [to Spencer] In your underpants. You don't have your name sewn into your underpants.
Spencer: No. No I'm a grown man.
(iCarly Saves TV)


Lewbert: Thank you, Mrs. Benson.
Marissa: Please, call me Marissa.
Lewbert: Marissa? That's a pretty name!
Marissa: Thanks. It's French. It means honeysuckle.
Lewbert: Oh, I like honeysuckle.
(iHurt Lewbert)


Marissa: Wet and sticky is very icky. Sticky and wet makes Mommy upset. (iHurt Lewbert)


[Freddie walks into his apartment with scissors]
Marissa: Freddie!
Freddie: They're just scissors! (iTwins)


Freddie: [is pushed out of a cargo plane] OMG!!!
Marissa: [jumps out after Freddie] I'M COMING, FREDDIE
(iGo to Japan)


[Spencer's towel drops]
Marissa: Spencer!
Spencer: What?
Marissa: You're naked!
Spencer: Oh!
[Spencer quickly puts the towel around his waist.]
(iGo to Japan)


Marissa: "When a big boy eats his vegetables."
Freddie: Don't sing the song! (iMove Out)


Marissa: [talks about her lengthy pregnancy] I wanted to make sure you were done! (iMove Out)


Marissa: [to Carly] You're the one who got Freddie interested in girls, and ever since then his boy chemistry's been all out of whack! (iMove Out)


Marissa: [calling 911] I need to report my missing little boy... He's 15... Well, that's little to me! (iMove Out)


Freddie: Mom, I'm not allergic to flowers.
Marissa: And you weren't allergic to Mexican food trucks, but look at you now! (iSaved Your Life)


[Freddie asks where his mother got an antibacterial spray]
Marissa: At sprayyourchildren.com! (iSaved Your Life)


Marissa: And teenage girls are like maniacs what with their bubbling hormones and all that R&B music they listen to! (iSaved Your Life)


Marissa: It should've been you! [to Carly, believing she caused Freddie's accident] (iSaved Your Life)


Marissa: Posie di posie do, I don't want posies in my house! (iSaved Your Life)


Marissa: Leave your shoes in the hall. (iSaved Your Life)


Marissa: What the YUCK?! (iSaved Your Life)


Marissa: When temperatures get too high, the elderly will start to die! (iBeat the Heat)


Marissa: [on the phone] No, I'm just ironing Freddie's underwear. (iToe Fat Cakes)


Marissa: [outside the apartment] Hello? What's happening in there?
Freddie: That's my mom. If she opens that door, she's gonna get blasted!
Spencer: [yelling from behind the counter] MRS BENSON. DON'T OPEN THE DOOR!! I'M NOT WEARING PANTS!
Marissa: Oh my God.
(iOpen a Restaurant)


Marissa: Shhhh! My granddaughter is acting! (iLove Gwen)


Marissa: Ooh, steamy! (iGuess Everyone Just Hates Me Now)


Marissa: See Freddie? Spit clean and ready to go. (iBuckled)


Marissa: Don't listen to the haters kids. We can all be naughty girls together. (iMake New Memories)


Marissa: Lewbert is my sexy, little fire cracker. (iHave A Proposal)


Marissa: HE WAS MY SON FIRST! (iGo to Toledo)


[Marissa walks into the Shay Apartment]
Marissa: Spencer, we need to talk. Ooh is that a big ball of yarn? Talk about your lumber support. Come to mama! (iCreate a New Ecosystem)


Marissa: I don't care where we live, as long as still get to have moments like this.
Lewbert: We can live in your place.
Marissa: Yay! That was the right choice.
(iCreate a New Ecosystem)


Marissa: Oh my God. I hate this! (iHave A Proposal)


Marissa: Carly, will you be my maid of honour?
Carly: Happy to... but Danica can keep the vest.
Marissa: No. [turns to face Danica] She brought filthy shame to this vest.
(iHave A Proposal)


Appearances

iCarly Episodes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Total
1 - - - - V - - - - - - - - - - M - - 7
2 - V M M - - - - - - - V - - V - 5
3 - - P - - - - - - - - - - - - 4
4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7
5 - - - - - - - - V 4
Total 27
iCarly (2021) Episodes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Total
1 P M M - M - M - - - M 2
2 - - M - - 5
3 - M - - - 5
Total 12
= Appeared M = Mentioned F = Flashback
- = Did not appear V = Voice P = Pictured
Note: Specials are counted as 1 episode in the total (see more information).


Gallery

Camera
See photos of Marissa Benson here.

References

ved Characters
Main Characters
Carly ShaySam PuckettFreddie BensonSpencer ShayGibby GibsonHarper BettencourtMillicent Mitchell
Recurring Characters
Marissa BensonLewbert SlineGranddad ShayT-BoGuppy Gibson
Ridgeway Students and Faculty
WendyPrincipal Ted FranklinMs. BriggsMr. HowardRip-off RodneyJeremyShawnShannon MitchellSuperintendent GormanRebecca Berkowitz
Other Characters
Nora DershlitBaby SpencerSockoCharlotte GibsonHobosChuck ChambersNevel Papperman
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