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Benny Safdie

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Benny Safdie

Benjamin Safdie (born February 24, 1986) is an American filmmaker and actor, most known for his film collaborations with his elder brother, Josh, in Heaven Knows What (2014), Good Time (2017), and Uncut Gems (2019). His solo career includes the co-created satirical series The Curse (2023), and his solo directorial debut The Smashing Machine (2025), for which he won the Silver Lion at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. For his role in Good Time as Nick, Safdie was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male, and has since starred in Licorice Pizza (2021), Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret (2023), Oppenheimer (2023), and Happy Gilmore 2 (2025), as well as in the television show The Curse (2023–24).

Infobox

Born
Benjamin Safdie (1986-02-24) February 24, 1986 (age 39)New York City, U.S.
Education
Boston University (BS)
Occupations
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Years active
2007–present
Spouse
mw- Ava Rawski (m. 2013)
Children
2
Relatives
mw- Josh Safdie (brother) Moshe Safdie (great-uncle) Oren Safdie (first cousin once removed) Dov Charney (first cousin once removed)

Tables

Key · Filmography › Feature films
†
Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released
· Filmography › Feature films
2008
The Pleasure of Being Robbed
Role(s)
No
Notes
No
2009
Daddy Longlegs
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2013
Lenny Cooke
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
No
2014
Heaven Knows What
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
No
2017
Good Time
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
No
2019
Uncut Gems
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2022
Funny Pages
Role(s)
No
Notes
No
2025
The Smashing Machine
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
Year
Title
Director
Writer
Editor
Producer
Collaboration with Josh
Notes
2008
The Pleasure of Being Robbed
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
2009
Daddy Longlegs
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
2013
Lenny Cooke
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
2014
Heaven Knows What
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
2017
Good Time
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
2019
Uncut Gems
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
2022
Funny Pages
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
2025
The Smashing Machine
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Key · Filmography › As actor
†
Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released
· Filmography › As actor
2017
Person to Person
Role(s)
Eugene
Notes
Dustin Guy Defa
Good Time
Role(s)
Nick Nikas
Notes
Safdie brothers
2020
Pieces of a Woman
Role(s)
Chris
Notes
Kornél Mundruczó
2021
Licorice Pizza
Role(s)
Joel Wachs
Notes
Paul Thomas Anderson
2022
Stars at Noon
Role(s)
CIA Man
Notes
Claire Denis
2023
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
Role(s)
Herb Simon
Notes
Kelly Fremon Craig
Oppenheimer
Role(s)
Edward Teller
Notes
Christopher Nolan
2025
Happy Gilmore 2
Role(s)
Frank Manatee
Notes
Kyle Newacheck
2026
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie †
Role(s)
Bowser Jr.
Notes
Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic
The Odyssey †
Role(s)
Agamemnon
Notes
Christopher Nolan
Year
Title
Role
Director
Notes
Ref.
2017
Person to Person
Eugene
Dustin Guy Defa
Good Time
Nick Nikas
Safdie brothers
2020
Pieces of a Woman
Chris
Kornél Mundruczó
2021
Licorice Pizza
Joel Wachs
Paul Thomas Anderson
2022
Stars at Noon
CIA Man
Claire Denis
2023
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
Herb Simon
Kelly Fremon Craig
Oppenheimer
Edward Teller
Christopher Nolan
2025
Happy Gilmore 2
Frank Manatee
Kyle Newacheck
2026
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie †
Bowser Jr.
Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic
VoiceCompleted
The Odyssey †
Agamemnon
Christopher Nolan
Post-production
· Filmography › As actor
2016
Togetherness
Role(s)
Craddock Brother #2
Notes
Episode: "Advanced Pretend"
2022
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Role(s)
Nari
Notes
Episode: "Part I"
2023–2024
Role(s)
The Curse
Notes
Dougie Schecter
Year
Title
Role
Notes
Ref.
2016
Togetherness
Craddock Brother
Episode: "Advanced Pretend"
2022
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Nari
Episode: "Part I"
2023–2024
The Curse
Dougie Schecter
Main role; also co-creator, writer, executive producer and editor
· Awards and nominations › Solo
Venice International Film Festival
Venice International Film Festival
Award
Venice International Film Festival
Date of ceremony
September 6, 2025
Category
Golden Lion
Recipient(s)
Benny Safdie
Result
Nominated
Silver Lion
Silver Lion
Award
Silver Lion
Date of ceremony
Won
Stockholm International Film Festival
Stockholm International Film Festival
Award
Stockholm International Film Festival
Date of ceremony
November 16, 2025
Category
Stockholm Visionary Award
Recipient(s)
Honored
Award
Date of ceremony
Category
Recipient(s)
Result
Ref.
Venice International Film Festival
September 6, 2025
Golden Lion
Benny Safdie
Nominated
Silver Lion
Won
Stockholm International Film Festival
November 16, 2025
Stockholm Visionary Award
Honored

References

  1. AlloCiné
    http://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne_gen_cpersonne=222248.html
  2. Hadassah
    https://www.hadassahmagazine.org/2023/04/28/benny-safdie-on-jewish-identity-are-you-there-god/
  3. The New Yorker
    https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/12/16/the-safdie-brothers-full-immersion-filmmaking
  4. Daddy Longlegs
    https://filmmakermagazine.com/sundance_features/2010/01/daddy-long-legs-josh-and-bennie-safdie.html
  5. quinzaine-realisateurs.com
    https://www.quinzaine-cineastes.fr/fr/edition/2009
  6. Tribeca Film Festival
    https://web.archive.org/web/20191019105050/https://www.tribecafilm.com/stories/safdie-brothers-lenny-cooke
  7. Filmmaker
    https://filmmakermagazine.com/82772-hoop-dreams-josh-and-benny-safdie-on-lenny-cooke/
  8. Variety
    https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/venice-film-review-heaven-knows-what-1201293201/
  9. SSN Insider
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160109234920/http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-1816-robert-pattinson-starts-on-the-feature-good-time-while-michael-fassbender-marion-cotillard-wrap-assassins-creed/
  10. Cannes
    https://web.archive.org/web/20170417035419/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/actualites/articles/the-2017-official-selection
  11. IndieWire
    https://www.indiewire.com/2017/11/2018-independent-spirit-award-nominations-1201899835/
  12. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2016/05/uncut-gems-movie-bennie-safdie-josh-safdie-martin-scorsese-rt-features-1201757418/
  13. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2020/02/spirit-awards-2020-winners-35-film-independent-spirit-awards-1202854430/
  14. The Curse
    https://deadline.com/2020/12/emma-stone-the-curse-showtime-nathan-fielder-safdie-brothers-1234653958/
  15. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/11/emma-stone-nathan-fielder-the-curse-review-this-exquisitely-cringe-worthy-drama-is-like-nothing-else-on-tv
  16. www.rottentomatoes.com
    https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_curse_2023
  17. EW.com
    https://ew.com/2024-film-independent-spirit-award-nominations-full-list-8410735
  18. Person to Person
    https://www.indiewire.com/2017/01/person-to-person-director-dustin-guy-defa-michael-cera-interview-sundance-2017-1201770611/
  19. Pieces Of A Woman
    https://deadline.com/2020/01/sarah-snook-benny-safdie-pieces-of-a-woman-jaime-zevallos-adrienne-lovette-a-boy-like-that-cast-1202837557/
  20. Collider
    https://collider.com/benny-safdie-paul-thomas-anderson-movie-cast/
  21. Ad Vitam Distribution
    https://www.advitamdistribution.com/films/stars-at-noon/
  22. Obi-Wan Kenobi
    https://deadline.com/2021/03/obi-wan-kenobi-to-start-production-in-april-disney-announces-cast-including-joel-edgerton-returning-to-star-wars-franchise-1234723648/
  23. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
    https://collider.com/benny-safdie-are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-movie/
  24. Oppenheimer
    https://deadline.com/2021/12/oppenheimer-adds-florence-pugh-rami-malek-benny-safdie-1234888295/
  25. Happy Gilmore 2
    https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/adam-sandler-confirms-benny-safdie-in-happy-gilmore-sequel-1235038692/
  26. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/benny-safdie-reuniting-with-christopher-nolan-the-odyssey-1236121609/
  27. Kotaku
    https://kotaku.com/mario-galaxy-movie-trailer-rosalina-bowser-jr-direct-2000643447
  28. The Jewish Week
    https://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/being-the-safdie-brothers/
  29. The Fader
    https://www.thefader.com/2017/08/21/safdie-brothers-good-time-movie-interview-buddy-duress-robert-pattinson
  30. The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles
    https://jewishjournal.com/current_edition/175070/
  31. East Bay Express
    https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/hoops-hoopla-precious-stones-mayhem/Content?oid=28255866
  32. Port Magazine
    https://www.port-magazine.com/film/a-brief-history-of-the-safdie-brothers/
  33. Good Time
    https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-safdie-brothers-good-time-20170810-story.html
  34. Variety
    https://variety.com/2025/film/festivals/venice-film-festival-2025-lineup-1236465664/
  35. Variety
    https://variety.com/2025/film/festivals/venice-film-festival-awards-winners-list-golden-lion-1236507924/
  36. La Biennale di Venezia
    https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2025/venezia-82-competition/father-mother-sister-brother
  37. Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/venice-film-festival-2025-golden-lion-award-winners-1236363133/
  38. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/alexander-skarsgard-benny-safdie-get-stockholm-fest-honors-1236395666/
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