Benny Safdie
Born: 1986-02-24 in New York City, New York, USA
Known For: Directing
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).
Filmography
2026
- The Odyssey as Agamemnon
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie as Bowser Junior (voice)
- The Odyssey: The Making of an Epic as Self (archive footage)
- Cameron Winter at Carnegie Hall ... (Executive Producer)
- Public Access ... (Executive Producer)
2025
- Marty Supreme ... (Thanks)
- The Smashing Machine ... (Director)
- Mr. Scorsese as Self
- Happy Gilmore 2 as Frank Manatee
- Pee-wee as Himself ... (Executive Producer)
- Thank You Very Much ... (Executive Producer)
- Noah Britton: The Best Stuff I've Ever Done ... (Additional Camera)
2024
- Ren Faire ... (Executive Producer)
2023
- Oppenheimer as Edward Teller
- Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God ... (Executive Producer)
- The Curse as Dougie Schecter
- Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. as Herbert Simon
- Telemarketers ... (Executive Producer)
2022
- Obi-Wan Kenobi as Nari
- Stars at Noon as CIA Man
- Funny Pages ... (Producer)
2021
- Licorice Pizza as Joel Wachs
2020
- Pieces of a Woman as Chris
- Question & Answer as Self
- Money on the Street: The Making of Uncut Gems as Self
- Goldman v Silverman as Al Silverman
2019
- Uncut Gems ... (Director)
2017
- Good Time as Nick Nikas
- Meet the Filmmakers: Josh and Benny Safdie as Self
- Person to Person as Eugene
2016
- Toback Vs. Mailer: The Incident ... (Director)
2015
- Togetherness as Craddock Brother #2
- Heaven Knows What ... (Director)
- A Hot Two Weeks: The Making of Heaven Knows What
- Gone Tomorrow ... (Director)
2014
2013
- Lenny Cooke ... (Director)
- Solid Gold as Goldman
2012
- Trophy Hunter ... (Director)
- Heartland ... (Producer)
- The Black Balloon ... (Director)
2011
- Straight Hustle ... (Director)
- Second Stop from Jupiter: The Making of Daddy Longlegs as Himself
- Buttons ... (Director)
2010
- Daddy Longlegs ... (Director)
- The Neistat Brothers as Self
- The Surprise Tour ... (Editor)
- John's Gone as John
2008
- The Acquaintances of a Lonely John as John
- John's Lonely Trip to Coney Island
- Yeast as Riverguy 2
- There's Nothing You Can Do
- The Story of Charles Riverbank as Charles Riverbank
- The Pleasure of Being Robbed ... (Editor)
2007
2006
- The Groomsmen ... (Production Assistant)
- The Ralph Handel Story as Ralph Handel
- If You See Something, Say Something as Business Man 2
2005
- The Adventures of Slater's Friend as 1st Cameraman
2004
- Alberto Live in a Bathroom as Benny the Salesman
1996
- The Daily Show as Self