Benny Safdie
Biography
Benjamin Safdie (born February 24, 1986) is an American filmmaker, actor, and editor best known for his collaborations with his older brother, Josh Safdie. Together, the Safdie brothers have established themselves as leading voices in contemporary independent cinema with acclaimed films such as Heaven Knows What (2014), Good Time (2017), and Uncut Gems (2019).
In addition to directing, Benny has pursued a parallel career as an actor. His performance in Good Time earned him a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male. He has since appeared in high-profile films including Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza (2021), Kelly Fremon Craig’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (2023), and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023).
On television, he co-created, co-wrote, and starred alongside Nathan Fielder and Emma Stone in the Showtime series The Curse (2023).
Acting (27 movies)
John's Gone
2010
The Acquaintances of a Lonely John
2008
Stars at Noon
2022
Oppenheimer
2023
The Story of Charles Riverbank
2008
There's Nothing You Can Do
2008
Second Stop from Jupiter: The Making of Daddy Longlegs
2011
Happy Gilmore 2
2025
Good Time
2017
Person to Person
2017
Yeast
2008
The Universe Is Out There: Josh and Benny Safdie
2017
The Ralph Handel Story
2006
I Think I'm Missing Parts
2007
John's Lonely Trip to Coney Island
2008
If You See Something, Say Something
2006
What To Do When Choking
2007
Solid Gold
2013
Goldman v Silverman
2020
Pieces of a Woman
2020
Licorice Pizza
2021
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
2023
A Hot Two Weeks: The Making of Heaven Knows What
2015
Question & Answer
2020
The Odyssey
2026
The Adventures of Slater's Friend
2005
Alberto Live in a Bathroom
2004
Directing (24 movies)
Daddy Longlegs
2010
The Pure and the Damned
2017
John's Gone
2010
Lenny Cooke
2013
The Acquaintances of a Lonely John
2008
Question & Answer
2020
The Black Balloon
2012
There's Nothing You Can Do
2008
The Adventures of Slater's Friend
2005
The Smashing Machine
2025
Solid Gold
2013
Buttons
2011
The Story of Charles Riverbank
2008
Good Time
2017
Trophy Hunter
2012
Uncut Gems
2019
John's Lonely Trip to Coney Island
2008
The Ralph Handel Story
2006
Straight Hustle
2011
Toback Vs. Mailer: The Incident
2016
What To Do When Choking
2007
Heaven Knows What
2015
Goldman v Silverman
2020
Why? (This Movie Exists)
2010
| Title | Year | Job |
|---|---|---|
| The Adventures of Slater's Friend | 2005 | Writer |
| If You See Something, Say Something | 2006 | Writer |
| The Back of Her Head | 2007 | Writer |
| The Story of Charles Riverbank | 2008 | Writer |
| The Acquaintances of a Lonely John | 2008 | Writer |
| The Acquaintances of a Lonely John | 2008 | Producer |
| There's Nothing You Can Do | 2008 | Writer |
| Daddy Longlegs | 2010 | Writer |
| John's Gone | 2010 | Writer |
| John's Gone | 2010 | Producer |
| Straight Hustle | 2011 | Writer |
| The Black Balloon | 2012 | Writer |
| Heartland | 2012 | Producer |
| Trophy Hunter | 2012 | Writer |
| Uncut Gems | 2019 | Writer |
| Question & Answer | 2020 | Writer |
| Funny Pages | 2022 | Producer |
| Thank You Very Much | 2025 | Executive Producer |
| The Smashing Machine | 2025 | Screenplay |