Benny Safdie
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).
Known For
Not in library
Oppenheimer
2023
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Good Time
2017
Not in library
Licorice Pizza
2021
Not in library
Obi-Wan Kenobi
2022
Not in library
Pieces of a Woman
2020
Not in library
Happy Gilmore 2
2025
Not in library
The Daily Show
1996
Not in library
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
2023
Not in library
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014
Not in library
The Curse
2023
Acting
2026
The Odyssey
2025
Happy Gilmore 2
as Frank Manatee
2025
Mr. Scorsese
as Self
(1 episode)
2023
Oppenheimer
as Edward Teller
2023
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
as Herbert Simon
2023
The Curse
as Dougie Schecter
(10 episodes)
2022
Stars at Noon
as CIA Man
2022
Obi-Wan Kenobi
as Nari
(1 episode)
2021
Licorice Pizza
as Joel Wachs
2020
Goldman v Silverman
as Al Silverman
2020
Pieces of a Woman
as Chris
2020
Money on the Street: The Making of Uncut Gems
as Self
2020
Question & Answer
as Self
2017
Good Time
as Nick Nikas
2017
Person to Person
as Eugene
2017
Meet the Filmmakers: Josh and Benny Safdie
as Self
2015
A Hot Two Weeks: The Making of Heaven Knows What
2015
Togetherness
as Craddock Brother #2
(1 episode)
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
as Self
(2 episodes)
2013
Solid Gold
as Goldman
2011
Second Stop from Jupiter: The Making of Daddy Longlegs
as Himself
2010
John's Gone
as John
2010
The Neistat Brothers
as Self
(8 episodes)
2008
The Acquaintances of a Lonely John
as John
2008
The Story of Charles Riverbank
as Charles Riverbank
2008
There's Nothing You Can Do
2008
Yeast
as Riverguy 2
2008
John's Lonely Trip to Coney Island
2007
I Think I'm Missing Parts
2007
What To Do When Choking
2006
The Ralph Handel Story
as Ralph Handel
2006
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
(1 episode)
—
Projection/Admiration
as Himself (Archival)
—
Into the Woods with Mark
Directing
2025
The Smashing Machine
Director
2020
Question & Answer
Director
2020
Goldman v Silverman
Director
2019
Uncut Gems
Director
2017
The Pure and the Damned
Director
2017
Good Time
Director
2016
Toback Vs. Mailer: The Incident
Director
2015
Heaven Knows What
Director
2013
Lenny Cooke
Director
2013
Solid Gold
Director
2012
The Black Balloon
Director
2012
Trophy Hunter
Director
2011
Buttons
Director
2011
Straight Hustle
Director
2010
Daddy Longlegs
Director
2010
John's Gone
Director
2008
The Acquaintances of a Lonely John
Director
2008
There's Nothing You Can Do
Director
2008
The Story of Charles Riverbank
Director
2008
John's Lonely Trip to Coney Island
Director
2007
What To Do When Choking
Director
2006
The Ralph Handel Story
Director
2005
The Adventures of Slater's Friend
Director
—
Gone Tomorrow
Director
—
Into the Woods with Mark
Director
—
Lizard Music
Director
Writing
2025
The Smashing Machine
Screenplay
2023
The Curse
Story
2023
The Curse
Teleplay
2023
The Curse
Writer
2020
Question & Answer
Writer
2019
Uncut Gems
Writer
2012
The Black Balloon
Writer
2012
Trophy Hunter
Writer
2011
Straight Hustle
Writer
2010
John's Gone
Writer
2010
Daddy Longlegs
Writer
2008
The Story of Charles Riverbank
Writer
2008
The Acquaintances of a Lonely John
Writer
2008
There's Nothing You Can Do
Writer
2007
The Back of Her Head
Writer
2006
If You See Something, Say Something
Writer
2005
The Adventures of Slater's Friend
Writer
—
Lizard Music
Screenplay
—
Untitled Adam Sandler / Josh Safdie Project
Writer
Production
2026
Public Access
Executive Producer
2025
Thank You Very Much
Executive Producer
2025
The Smashing Machine
Co-Producer
2025
Pee-wee as Himself
Executive Producer
2024
Ren Faire
Executive Producer
2023
The Curse
Executive Producer
2023
Telemarketers
Executive Producer
2023
Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God
Executive Producer
2022
Funny Pages
Producer
2012
The Black Balloon
Casting Director
2012
Heartland
Producer
2010
Daddy Longlegs
Co-Producer
2010
John's Gone
Producer
2008
The Acquaintances of a Lonely John
Producer
2006
The Groomsmen
Production Assistant
—
Lizard Music
Producer
—
Untitled Adam Sandler / Josh Safdie Project
Producer
—
Superfakes
Executive Producer
Sound
2017
Good Time
Sound Recordist
2015
Heaven Knows What
Sound Recordist
2015
Heaven Knows What
Sound Mixer
2012
The Black Balloon
Sound Recordist
2010
Daddy Longlegs
Sound Designer
Camera
2025
Noah Britton: The Best Stuff I've Ever Done
Additional Camera
2011
Buttons
Director of Photography
—
Cameron Winter at Carnegie Hall
Camera Operator
Editing
2025
The Smashing Machine
Editor
2020
Question & Answer
Editor
2019
Uncut Gems
Editor
2017
Good Time
Editor
2016
Toback Vs. Mailer: The Incident
Editor
2015
Heaven Knows What
Editor
2013
Lenny Cooke
Editor
2012
The Black Balloon
Editor
2011
Buttons
Editor
2010
The Surprise Tour
Editor
2010
Daddy Longlegs
Editor
2010
John's Gone
Editor
2008
The Pleasure of Being Robbed
Editor
2008
The Acquaintances of a Lonely John
Editor
2008
There's Nothing You Can Do
Editor
2008
John's Lonely Trip to Coney Island
Editor
2007
What To Do When Choking
Editor
2006
The Ralph Handel Story
Editor
2005
The Adventures of Slater's Friend
Editor
Art
2010
The Neistat Brothers
Set Decoration
Crew
2025
Marty Supreme
Thanks
Creator
2023
The Curse
Creator