Benny Safdie Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Career, Movies, Awards, Director, Actor & Facts

Benny Safdie is an American filmmaker, actor, writer, and producer who has emerged as one of the most distinctive creative voices in modern cinema. Best known as one half of the acclaimed Safdie Brothers directing duo behind Good Time and Uncut Gems, he has since carved out a formidable solo career as both a director and actor, earning praise for his work on The Smashing Machine, The Curse, and Oppenheimer. His kinetic, anxiety-driven storytelling style has redefined independent filmmaking while his understated acting performances have landed him roles alongside Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Benjamin Safdie was born on February 24, 1986, in New York City, New York, into a film-loving Jewish family. His father, Alberto Safdie, worked in movie exhibition and was born in Italy and raised in France. He is of Sephardic and Syrian-Jewish descent. His mother, Amy Safdie, is of Ashkenazi and Russian-Jewish descent. His great-uncle is the renowned Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie, and his cousin once removed is playwright Oren Safdie.

When his parents divorced, Benny and his older brother Josh split their time between their father’s home in Queens and their mother and stepfather’s home in Manhattan. This “turmoil of their youth” became a recurring inspiration for their later work. The brothers were raised as fans of basketball and the New York Knicks, a passion that would later feature prominently in their films.

Benny attended Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School in Manhattan. Interestingly, he originally wanted to become a physicist before pivoting to filmmaking—a passion that still influences his worldview. He once described how a high school physics teacher drew a squiggly line between two points and told him, “If you can walk me from point A to point Z, you’ve done your job.” Safdie later reflected that this approach mirrors how he constructs narratives.

In 2008, he graduated from Boston University College of Communication, where he co-founded the creative collective Red Bucket Films alongside Josh and collaborators Alex Kalman, Sam Lisenco, Brett Jutkiewicz, and Zachary Treitz. Josh graduated in 2007, one year ahead of Benny.

Career Journey

The Safdie Brothers Era: Indie Darlings (2004–2019)

Benny Safdie’s career began in collaboration with his brother Josh, creating gritty, low-budget short films that captured the raw energy of New York City. Their partnership produced some of the most exciting American independent films of the 2010s.

Early Short Films & The Pleasure of Being Robbed (2007): The brothers made several short films together before their first feature, The Pleasure of Being Robbed, premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival in 2007 and was released by IFC Films. Benny served as co-editor.

Daddy Longlegs (2009): Originally titled Get Some Rosemary, this comedy-drama marked Benny’s feature debut as co-director, co-writer, and co-editor alongside Josh. It starred Ronald Bronstein and premiered in the Directors’ Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival. The film drew heavily from the brothers’ own childhood experiences with their father.

Lenny Cooke (2013): Benny directed and edited this documentary about former high school basketball phenom Lenny Cooke, premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival. Josh served as co-director and cinematographer.

Heaven Knows What (2014): Based on the unpublished memoir Mad Love in N.Y.C. by lead actor Arielle Holmes, this narrative feature premiered in the Orrizonte section of the Venice Film Festival. Benny was co-director and co-editor.

Good Time (2017): This tense crime drama starring Robert Pattinson launched in the Palme d’Or competition at Cannes and was released by A24, grossing $4 million. Benny co-directed, co-wrote, co-edited, and delivered a standout performance as Nick Nikas, a developmentally disabled character—earning him an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male. The film’s frenetic energy and immersive realism became hallmarks of the Safdie style.

Uncut Gems (2019): The brothers’ most commercially and critically successful film starred Adam Sandler in arguably his career-best performance, alongside LaKeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, and Idina Menzel. It took the Safdies 10 years to make, based on their father’s mentor in the NYC diamond district. Premiering at Telluride, the film was released by A24 domestically and Netflix internationally. It earned the brothers the Best Director award at the 2020 Independent Spirit Awards.

Solo Career: Director & Actor (2020–Present)

In the early 2020s, Benny began pursuing independent projects apart from Josh, establishing himself as a formidable solo director and a sought-after character actor.

The Curse (2023–2024): Co-created, co-written, and co-starring with comedian Nathan Fielder, this satirical black comedy thriller for Showtime/Paramount+ starred Emma Stone, Fielder, and Safdie. The series explored gentrification, reality TV artifice, and white privilege through the lens of a couple trying to launch an HGTV show in New Mexico. It earned widespread critical acclaim, with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score, and earned Benny an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series and an Astra TV Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Oppenheimer (2023): In a “childhood dream” fulfillment, Safdie played Edward Teller, the father of the hydrogen bomb, in Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning epic. He called it “Chris’ best movie by far. It’s got everything firing on all cylinders.” The experience was particularly meaningful given his physics background—he spent time between takes discussing science with real physicists from Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (2023): Safdie played Herb Simon in this beloved adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel. He told Kveller that “in a weird way, Herb is probably the closest to me that I’ve ever played” because of his Jewish identity and status as a father of two boys.

Licorice Pizza (2021): He portrayed Joel Wachs, a Los Angeles City Councilman, in Paul Thomas Anderson’s acclaimed coming-of-age film.

Stars at Noon (2022): Safdie appeared as a CIA agent in Claire Denis’s thriller.

Pieces of a Woman (2020): He played Chris in this emotionally devastating drama directed by Kornél Mundruczó.

The Smashing Machine (2025): Benny’s solo directorial debut, this biographical drama about MMA fighter Mark Kerr starred Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt. Produced for $40 million and released by A24, it won the Silver Lion at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, cementing Benny’s status as a major solo director.

Happy Gilmore 2 (2025): Safdie appeared in this long-awaited comedy sequel.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026): He provided the voice of Bowser Jr. in this animated feature.

Career Stats & Filmography

As Director/Writer/Producer

As Actor

Personal Life

Family & Marriage

Benny Safdie married Ava Rawski in 2013. Their wedding was an interfaith ceremony—Benny is Jewish, while Ava belongs to another faith. In an interview with Hadassah Magazine, Benny spoke candidly about the challenges of finding a rabbi willing to oversee an interfaith marriage, noting that in his experience within the Jewish community, such unions were extremely rare. He also described the glass-breaking ceremony with Ava, saying:

“I’m like, ‘I don’t know why I want to have a Jewish wedding. I just like stomping on the glass! I like what that means!’ Just the idea that a religion has a break the glass so that in this moment of happiness, you will remember that there’s a possibility of sadness—that’s an incredible thing.”

The couple has two sons, Cosmo and Murray, whom they are raising in an interfaith home. Benny and Ava maintain a very private family life, rarely appearing together at public events. While Benny is active on social media, Ava reportedly is not a fan of social media platforms.

Jewish Identity

Benny identifies strongly with his Jewish heritage on a cultural level, though he does not consider himself particularly religious. “I think of Judaism as a culture less than as a religious experience,” he told the New York Jewish Week. He attended Hebrew school as a child and had a bar mitzvah. He feels a deep connection to Jewish history and the influence of Jewish artists and filmmakers who came before him.

Hobbies & Interests

• Physics: His original career ambition, physics remains a lifelong passion. He has spoken extensively about how scientific thinking informs his filmmaking.
• Basketball: A devoted New York Knicks fan, he and Josh try to watch every game together. Basketball features prominently in Lenny Cooke and Uncut Gems.
• Filmmaking: Beyond his professional work, he maintains an obsessive interest in cameras, lenses, and image-making techniques.

Controversies

While Benny Safdie has largely avoided the kind of personal controversies that plague many public figures, his work and collaborations have generated some discussion:

On-Set Conduct Allegations: During the release of The Curse, some reviewers noted that Dougie’s chaotic on-set behavior in the series “rings uncomfortably with accusations made around the actor and show co-writer/co-creator”—suggesting a meta-layer to his performance, though no specific allegations were detailed in major publications.

Interfaith Marriage Criticism: When Benny announced his engagement to Ava, a non-Jewish woman, he received some criticism on social media from those who disapproved of interfaith marriages, though the backlash was reportedly small.

Awards & Achievements

With Josh Safdie (Safdie Brothers)

• 2020 Independent Spirit Awards: Best Director – Uncut Gems (Won)
• 2018 Independent Spirit Awards: Best Supporting Male Nomination – Good Time (Benny Safdie)
• Cannes Film Festival: Good Time – Palme d’Or Competition (2017)
• Cannes Film Festival: Daddy Longlegs – Directors’ Fortnight (2009)
• Venice Film Festival: Heaven Knows What – Orrizonte Section (2014)

Solo Awards & Nominations

• 2025 Venice International Film Festival: Silver Lion for Best Director – The Smashing Machine (Won)
• 2024 Independent Spirit Awards: Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series Nomination – The Curse
• 2024 Astra TV Awards: Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Drama Series Nomination – The Curse
• 2024 Satellite Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nomination – The Curse
• 2024 Writers Guild of America Awards: Drama Series Nomination – The Curse
• 2024 Gotham TV Awards: Breakthrough Drama Series Nomination – The Curse
• Primetime Emmy: 1 Win (specific category from IMDb records)
• Total Career Wins: 26 wins & 74 nominations (per IMDb)

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“I don’t think physics and storytelling are that far apart. When you look at the universe in general, you always want an explanation of something because that’s how you understand it. But we need to grapple with things we can’t understand, that’s just part of human existence.” — On his passion for physics and filmmaking, 2024

“It’s not a matter of different types of love, it’s passion—what people are passionate about. If someone is passionate about something, then you’re going to get closer to their humanity, to real feelings. Trying is a really human thing, even if you don’t succeed. I love that. Our dad tried to raise us, you know?” — On storytelling and human connection

“Chris’ best movie by far. It’s got everything firing on all cylinders.” — On Oppenheimer, 2023

Favorites

Earnings & Net Worth

As of 2026, Benny Safdie’s estimated net worth is approximately $5 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His income streams include:

• Film Directing & Writing: The Smashing Machine ($40M budget), Uncut Gems, Good Time
• Acting Roles: Oppenheimer, Licorice Pizza, The Curse, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
• Television Production: The Curse (Showtime/Paramount+)
• Producing Credits: Funny Pages (2022)

His brother Josh Safdie’s net worth is estimated at around $10 million as of 2026, reflecting their shared success during their collaborative years.

Interesting Facts

• Benny originally wanted to be a physicist and only chose filmmaking after a literal coin toss during his college years.
• The Safdie brothers’ first feature, The Pleasure of Being Robbed, was made when Benny was just 21 years old.
• It took 10 years to bring Uncut Gems to the screen, with Adam Sandler eventually delivering what many consider his career-defining performance.
• Benny and Josh used to have Robert Pattinson, as his Good Time character Connie, email Benny (in character as Nick) out of the blue “from jail” during pre-production to build their on-screen brotherly bond.
• Adam Sandler once joked in his Independent Spirit Awards acceptance speech that the Safdie brothers looked like “homeless rabbis” when he first met them.
• Christopher Nolan personally texted Benny after watching The Curse finale, asking “How did you guys do that?” in regard to its stunts.
• Benny and Nathan Fielder first met in 2017 after years of admiring each other’s work from afar. Benny had sent his wife a photo of a Nathan For You subway ad in 2015.
• The Safdie brothers grew up making films inspired by their father, who worked in movie exhibition and exposed them to cinema from an early age.
• Benny’s great-uncle, Moshe Safdie, designed the iconic Habitat 67 in Montreal.

Did You Know?

• Benny Safdie is one of the few filmmakers who successfully transitioned from indie darlings to major Hollywood players while also building a respected acting career.
• The Curse was inspired by a real incident where Nathan Fielder was cursed by a woman asking for money in Los Angeles.
• Benny’s role as Edward Teller in Oppenheimer fulfilled a childhood dream of combining his love for physics with his filmmaking career.

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @bowenyang (unverified)
• IMDb: Benny Safdie
• Wikipedia: Benny Safdie

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Benny Safdie in 2026?
Benny Safdie was born on February 24, 1986, making him 40 years old in 2026.

What is Benny Safdie’s net worth?
As of 2026, Benny Safdie’s estimated net worth is approximately $5 million, earned through his work as a director, actor, writer, and producer.

Is Benny Safdie married?
Yes, Benny Safdie has been married to Ava Safdie (née Rawski) since 2013. They have two sons together, Cosmo and Murray.

Who is Benny Safdie’s brother?
Benny’s older brother is Josh Safdie, also a filmmaker. Together they directed Good Time and Uncut Gems before pursuing solo careers in the early 2020s.

What movies has Benny Safdie directed?
Benny co-directed Daddy Longlegs (2009), Heaven Knows What (2014), Good Time (2017), and Uncut Gems (2019) with Josh Safdie. His solo directorial debut is The Smashing Machine (2025).

What awards has Benny Safdie won?
Benny won the Silver Lion for Best Director at the 2025 Venice Film Festival for The Smashing Machine. With Josh, he won Best Director at the 2020 Independent Spirit Awards for Uncut Gems.

What is Benny Safdie’s height?
Benny Safdie stands at 6’1″ (185 cm).

What is Benny Safdie’s ethnicity?
Benny Safdie is Jewish. On his father’s side, he is of Sephardic and Syrian-Jewish descent. On his mother’s side, he is of Ashkenazi and Russian-Jewish descent.

Conclusion

Benny Safdie’s evolution from a physics-obsessed teenager in New York City to one of Hollywood’s most exciting directors and character actors is a testament to his creative versatility and relentless drive. Whether co-directing anxiety-inducing masterpieces with his brother Josh, delivering nuanced performances in films by Christopher Nolan and Paul Thomas Anderson, or stepping out on his own with The Smashing Machine, Safdie consistently pushes boundaries and challenges audiences. His unique blend of intellectual curiosity, Jewish cultural identity, and raw cinematic energy ensures he will remain a vital force in film for years to come.