Benny Safdie (born Benjamin Safdie) is an American filmmaker, director, producer, screenwriter, editor, and actor.
He is best known for his collaborations with his brother Josh Safdie on critically acclaimed films such as Good Time and Uncut Gems. He has also gained recognition for acting roles in Oppenheimer, Licorice Pizza, and other projects.
Essential Data
- Full Name: Benjamin Safdie
- Stage Name: Benny Safdie
- Born: February 24, 1986
- Age: 40 years old
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Jewish
- Occupation: Filmmaker, Director, Actor, Screenwriter
- Height: 185 cm (6 feet 1 inch)
- Religion: Judaism
- Parents: Alberto Safdie and Amy Safdie
- Siblings: Josh Safdie
- Spouse: Ava Rawski (Ava Safdie)
- Children: Cosmo and Mury
- Relationship: Married
- Net Worth: $5 million USD
Early Life and Education
Benjamin Safdie was born on February 24, 1986, in New York City, to Alberto Safdie and Amy Safdie. He grew up splitting time between his father’s home in Queens and his mother’s home in Manhattan after his parents divorced when he was an infant.
His ethnicity is Jewish (Syrian Jewish on father’s side and Ashkenazi Jewish on mother’s side). He has one older brother, Josh Safdie. His religion is Judaism. He attended Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School and graduated from Boston University College of Communication in 2008.
Career
Benny Safdie began making films with his brother Josh at a young age. The duo gained attention with early works like Daddy Longlegs (2009).
They achieved major success with Heaven Knows What (2014), Good Time (2017), and Uncut Gems (2019), the latter starring Adam Sandler and earning widespread critical praise.
Benny has also built a strong acting career with notable roles in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
In 2025, Safdie made his solo directorial debut with The Smashing Machine, a biographical drama about MMA fighter Mark Kerr starring Dwayne Johnson.
The film premiered to strong reviews at the Venice International Film Festival, where Safdie won the Silver Lion for Best Direction.
He continues to act in high-profile projects, including Happy Gilmore 2 (2025) and upcoming releases in 2026, such as Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (as Agamemnon) and voicing Bowser Jr. in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Awards and Nominations
- Multiple Independent Spirit Award nominations
- Critical acclaim and festival awards for Good Time and Uncut Gems
- Recognition for ensemble performances in Oppenheimer and other films
Social Media
- Instagram: @bowedtie
- X(Twitter): @benny_safdie
Personal Life
Benny Safdie, 40, has been married to Ava Rawski (Ava Safdie) since 2013. The couple has two sons, Cosmo and Mury, and is raising them in an interfaith household.
He maintains a relatively private family life while balancing his demanding career in filmmaking and acting. His height is 185 cm.
Net Worth
Benny Safdie’s net worth is estimated at $5 million USD. He earns income primarily from directing, producing, screenwriting, and acting in films. Additional revenue comes from collaborations, festival successes, and backend participation on acclaimed independent and studio projects.
Filmography
- Daddy Longlegs (2009) – Co-director, actor
- Heaven Knows What (2014) – Co-director
- Good Time (2017) – Co-director, actor
- Uncut Gems (2019) – Co-director
- Licorice Pizza (2021) – Actor
- Oppenheimer (2023) – Actor
- Happy Gilmore 2 (2025) Actor
- The Smashing Machine (2025)- Director
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) – Voice role
- The Odyssey (2026)
- Various upcoming projects