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Benny Safdie Biography: Director, Actor, and Indie Icon
Article Summary
Benny Safdie is an American filmmaker and actor who has become one of independent cinema’s most distinctive voices. Born in New York City in 1986, he rose to prominence alongside his older brother Josh as the Safdie brothers, directing acclaimed films including Heaven Knows What (2014), Good Time (2017), and Uncut Gems (2019). Safdie has also built a respected acting career, earning an Independent Spirit Award nomination for his performance in Good Time and taking on roles in Licorice Pizza (2021), Oppenheimer (2023), and The Curse (2023). In 2025, he made his solo directorial debut with The Smashing Machine, which won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival. In 2026, he portrays the legendary Greek king Agamemnon in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and voices Bowser Jr. in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. He has been married to Ava Rawski since 2013, and they have two sons. His net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million.
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Background
- Education
- Career
- Major Achievements
- Personal Life
- Latest News
- Upcoming Projects and Movies
- Recent Awards
- Career Timeline
- Filmography
- FAQs
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Safdie |
| Born | 24 February 1986 |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Age | 40 (as of 2026) |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Parents | Amy and Alberto Safdie |
| Siblings | One older brother: Josh Safdie |
| Education | Boston University College of Communication (BS, 2008) |
| Spouse | Ava Rawski (m. 2013) |
| Children | Two sons |
| Net Worth | Estimated $5 million (as of 2026) |
Full Biography
Early Life and Background
Benjamin Safdie was born on 24 February 1986 in New York City. He is the younger brother of Josh Safdie, with whom he would later form one of independent cinema’s most celebrated filmmaking duos.
Safdie was born to Amy and Alberto Safdie. He is of Syrian Jewish descent on his father’s side and Ashkenazi Jewish descent on his mother’s side. His father was born in Italy and raised in France.
Following his parents’ divorce, Safdie and his brother Josh divided their childhood between their father in Queens and their mother and stepfather in Manhattan. Growing up in New York’s diverse neighbourhoods would later serve as the backdrop and emotional texture for many of their films.
Education
Safdie attended Columbia Grammar & Preparatory SchoolneighborhoodsHe later graduated from the Boston University College of Communication in 2008, where he studied film.
Career
Early Films and Independent Breakthrough
Safdie began his filmmaking career alongside his older brother Josh, forming the Safdie brothers directing duo. Their first feature was Daddy Longlegs (2009), which they wrote, directed, and edited together. The film, loosely inspired by their own childhood experiences, earned praise for its raw and intimate portrayal of family dysfunction.
In 2014, they directed Heaven Knows What, a drama based on the real-life experiences of Arielle Holmes. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was lauded for its unfiltered depiction of addiction and life on the streets of New York.
Good Time and Uncut Gems
The Safdies’ breakthrough came with Good Time (2017), starring Robert Pattinson. The film premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival and elevated the Safdies’ international profile. In addition to co-directing and co-writing, Safdie delivered a memorable on-screen performance as Nick Nikas, the developmentally disabled brother whose arrest sets the story in motion.
Their biggest commercial and critical success came with Uncut Gems (2019), starring Adam Sandler as a frantic New York jeweler. The film earned them the Independent Spirit Award for Best Director and further cemented their reputation as leading voices in modern independent cinema.
Transition to Acting
While building his reputation behind the camera, Safdie increasingly stepped into the spotlight as a performer. For his role in Good Time, he was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male.
Safdie has since taken on roles 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), where he played the Hungarian-American physicist Edward Teller.
Safdie also co-created, co-wrote, and starred in the television show The Curse (2023) alongside comedian Nathan Fielder.
Solo Directing: The Smashing Machine
In the mid-2020s, Safdie began pursuing solo directing efforts, marking a new chapter in his career separate from his brother Josh. His solo directorial debut, The Smashing Machine (2025), tells the story of prolific UFC fighter Mark Kerr. The film stars Dwayne Johnson as Kerr and Emily Blunt as his romantic partner.
The film premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Lion.
Major Achievements
Safdie’s directorial works have earned numerous accolades. He won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Director for Uncut Gems (2019) and the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival for The Smashing Machine (2025).
As an actor, he was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his performance in Good Time (2017). He was also part of the team behind Pee-wee as Himself, which won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special at the 2025 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Beyond awards, Safdie has helped shape a gritty, high-anxiety filmmaking style that has influenced a new generation of storytellers.
Personal Life
Safdie married Ava Rawski in 2013. She is a writer and editor. Together, they have two sons: Cosmo (born around 2017) and Murray (born around 2021).
The family lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, a short walk from the neighborhood where Safdie grew up.
Latest News
As of July 2026, Benny Safdie is experiencing a career peak. He portrays the legendary ancient Greek king Agamemnon in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which premiered in London on 6 July 2026 and is set for worldwide release on 17 July 2026. Safdie previously worked with Nolan on Oppenheimer (2023), where he played Edward Teller.
Safdie also voices Bowser Jr. in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026).
His documentary Pee-wee as Himself won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special at the 2025 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Upcoming Projects and Movies
| Project | Role | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Odyssey | Agamemnon | 17 July 2026 |
| The Super Mario Galaxy Movie | Bowser Jr. (voice) | 2026 |
| Pee-wee as Himself | Producer | 2025 (Emmy winner) |
Recent Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special (Pee-wee as Himself) | Won |
| 2025 | Venice Film Festival | Silver Lion (The Smashing Machine) | Won |
| 2020 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Director (Uncut Gems) | Won |
| 2018 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Supporting Male (Good Time) | Nominated |
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1986 | Born in New York City |
| 2008 | Graduated from Boston University |
| 2009 | Co-directed Daddy Longlegs |
| 2014 | Co-directed Heaven Knows What |
| 2017 | Co-directed Good Time; Independent Spirit Award nomination for acting |
| 2019 | Co-directed Uncut Gems; won Independent Spirit Award for Best Director |
| 2021 | Appeared in Licorice Pizza |
| 2023 | Appeared in Oppenheimer and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret; co-created The Curse |
| 2025 | Solo directorial debut The Smashing Machine wins Silver Lion at Venice |
| 2026 | Portrays Agamemnon in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey; voices Bowser Jr. in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Daddy Longlegs | Co-director, co-writer, editor | |
| 2014 | Heaven Knows What | Co-director, co-writer | |
| 2017 | Good Time | Nick Nikas (actor), co-director, co-writer | Independent Spirit Award nomination |
| 2019 | Uncut Gems | Co-director, co-writer | Independent Spirit Award win |
| 2021 | Licorice Pizza | Actor | |
| 2023 | Oppenheimer | Edward Teller | Actor |
| 2023 | Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. | Actor | |
| 2023 | The Curse | Co-creator, co-writer, actor | TV series |
| 2025 | The Smashing Machine | Director, writer | Silver Lion winner |
| 2025 | Happy Gilmore 2 | Frank Manatee | Actor |
| 2026 | The Odyssey | Agamemnon | Actor |
| 2026 | The Super Mario Galaxy Movie | Bowser Jr. | Voice |
FAQs
How old is Benny Safdie?
Benny Safdie was born on 24 February 1986 in New York City, which makes him 40 years old as of 2026.
What is Benny Safdie’s net worth?
Benny Safdie’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $5 million as of 2026, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Estimates vary across sources, with some citing figures between $3 million and $30 million.
Is Benny Safdie married?
Yes. Benny Safdie has been married to Ava Rawski since 2013. She is a writer and editor.
Does Benny Safdie have children?
Yes. Safdie and his wife Ava have two sons. Their names are Cosmo and Murray.
What is Benny Safdie best known for?
Benny Safdie is best known for co-directing the acclaimed films Good Time (2017) and Uncut Gems (2019) with his brother Josh Safdie. He is also known for his acting roles in Oppenheimer (2023) and The Curse (2023).
What movies has Benny Safdie directed?
Safdie has co-directed Daddy Longlegs (2009), Heaven Knows What (2014), Good Time (2017), and Uncut Gems (2019) with his brother Josh. His solo directorial debut was The Smashing Machine (2025).
What role does Benny Safdie play in The Odyssey?
Safdie portrays Agamemnon, the legendary ancient Greek king, in Christopher Nolan’s 2026 film The Odyssey.
Who does Benny Safdie play in Oppenheimer?
Safdie plays Edward Teller, the Hungarian-American theoretical physicist known as “the father of the hydrogen bomb,” in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023).
What is The Smashing Machine?
The Smashing Machine is Benny Safdie’s solo directorial debut (2025), telling the story of prolific UFC fighter Mark Kerr. The film stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt and won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Is Benny Safdie still working with his brother Josh?
In the mid-2020s, Safdie began pursuing solo directing projects, marking a new chapter in his career separate from his brother Josh.
Key Takeaways
- Benny Safdie is an American filmmaker and actor born on 24 February 1986 in New York City.
- He rose to fame with his brother Josh as the Safdie brothers, directing Good Time and Uncut Gems.
- He has built a respected acting career, appearing in Oppenheimer, Licorice Pizza, and The Curse.
- His solo directorial debut, The Smashing Machine, won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
- In 2026, he portrays Agamemnon in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and voices Bowser Jr. in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
- He has been married to Ava Rawski since 2013; they have two sons.
- His net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million.
Conclusion
Benny Safdie has carved a unique path through the entertainment industry, proving himself as both a visionary filmmaker and a compelling actor. Alongside his brother Josh, he helped redefine independent cinema with the kinetic, anxiety-fuelled intensity of Good Time and Uncut Gems. But Safdie has never been content to stay in one lane. His transition into acting has been equally impressive, with standout performances in Oppenheimer and The Curse demonstrating a range that extends far beyond his directorial work. In 2025, he stepped out on his own with The Smashing Machine, a solo directorial effort that earned him the Silver Lion at Venice. In 2026, he joins the star-studded cast of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, playing the legendary Agamemnon. At 40, Benny Safdie is not just one half of a famous filmmaking duo. He is a singular creative force whose best work may still lie ahead.
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