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).

Directed

1. Uncut Gems (2019) — Director
2. Good Time (2017) — Director
3. The Smashing Machine (2025) — Director
4. Heaven Knows What (2015) — Director
5. Goldman v Silverman (2020) — Director
6. Daddy Longlegs (2010) — Director
7. Lenny Cooke (2013) — Director
8. The Black Balloon (2012) — Director
9. The Acquaintances of a Lonely John (2008) — Director
10. John's Gone (2010) — Director
11. The Pure and the Damned (2017) — Director
12. There's Nothing You Can Do (2008) — Director
13. Question & Answer (2020) — Director
14. The Adventures of Slater's Friend (2005) — Director
15. Solid Gold (2013) — Director
16. Into the Woods with Mark — Director
17. Buttons (2011) — Director
18. The Story of Charles Riverbank (2008) — Director
19. Trophy Hunter (2012) — Director
20. John's Lonely Trip to Coney Island (2008) — Director
21. The Ralph Handel Story (2006) — Director
22. Straight Hustle (2011) — Director
23. Toback Vs. Mailer: The Incident (2016) — Director
24. Gone Tomorrow — Director
25. What To Do When Choking (2007) — Director
26. Lizard Music — Director

Also appeared in

1. Oppenheimer (2023) — Edward Teller
2. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) — Bowser Jr. (voice)
3. Good Time (2017) — Nick Nikas
4. Licorice Pizza (2021) — Joel Wachs
5. Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) — Nari
6. The Odyssey (2026) — Agamemnon
7. Pieces of a Woman (2020) — Chris
8. Happy Gilmore 2 (2025) — Frank Manatee
9. The Daily Show (1996) — Self
10. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023) — Herbert Simon
11. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) — Self
12. The Curse (2023) — Dougie Schecter
13. Stars at Noon (2022) — CIA Man
14. Togetherness (2015) — Craddock Brother #2
15. Goldman v Silverman (2020) — Al Silverman
16. Person to Person (2017) — Eugene
17. Mr. Scorsese (2025) — Self
18. The Odyssey: The Making of an Epic (2026) — Self (archive footage)
19. Yeast (2008) — Riverguy 2
20. The Acquaintances of a Lonely John (2008) — John
21. John's Gone (2010) — John
22. The Neistat Brothers (2010) — Self
23. There's Nothing You Can Do (2008)
24. Meet the Filmmakers: Josh and Benny Safdie (2017) — Self
25. Money on the Street: The Making of Uncut Gems (2020) — Self
26. Into the Woods with Mark
27. Solid Gold (2013) — Goldman
28. Question & Answer (2020) — Self
29. The Adventures of Slater's Friend (2005) — 1st Cameraman
30. The Story of Charles Riverbank (2008) — Charles Riverbank
31. Second Stop from Jupiter: The Making of Daddy Longlegs (2011) — Himself
32. The Ralph Handel Story (2006) — Ralph Handel
33. I Think I'm Missing Parts (2007)
34. John's Lonely Trip to Coney Island (2008)
35. What To Do When Choking (2007)
36. If You See Something, Say Something (2006) — Business Man 2
37. A Hot Two Weeks: The Making of Heaven Knows What (2015)
38. Alberto Live in a Bathroom (2004) — Benny the Salesman
39. Grown Ups 3