Benny Safdie Biography: Children, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Wife, Movies

Benjamin Safdie is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, actor, and film editor widely recognized for his collaborations with his brother, Josh Safdie.

As a director, he is best known for his work on Heaven Knows What (2014), Good Time (2017), and Uncut Gems (2019).

Safdie transitioned into acting with notable performances, earning a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his role in Good Time.

He has since appeared in films such as Licorice Pizza (2021), Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (2023), and Oppenheimer (2023).

Profile

• Full Name: Benjamin Safdie
• Stage Name: Benny Safdie
• Born: February 24, 1986
• Age: 38 years old
• Birthplace: New York, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American film director and screenwriter
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Alberto Safdie
• Siblings: Josh Safdie
• Spouse: Ava Safdiearound
• Children: Cosmo and Murray James
• Relationship: Married
• Net WorthWorth: $3 million

Early Life And Education

Benjamin Safdie was born to Alberto and Amy Safdie on February 24, 1986, in New York City, United States. He grew up alongside his older brother, Josh Safdie, with whom he frequently collaborates in filmmaking.

Benjamin graduated from Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School in Manhattan before attending Boston University, where he earned a degree from the College of Communication in 2008.

Benjamin has a rich cultural heritage, with Syrian Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. His father, Alberto, was born in Italy and raised in France and is of Syrian Jewish descent, while his mother, Amy, has Russian Jewish roots. This diverse background has influenced his worldview and artistic sensibilities.

Career

Benny Safdie and his brother Josh became widely recognized as part of a dynamic filmmaking duo known for their compelling and unique storytelling.

Their early career was marked by the 2009 film Daddy Longlegs, which they co-wrote, directed, and edited. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight, establishing the Safdies as innovative filmmakers.

In 2013, they ventured into documentary filmmaking with Lenny Cooke, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. This documentary focused on a once-promising basketball player gained attention for its raw portrayal of Cooke’s life and career, further cementing the Safdies’ reputation for powerful, emotionally resonant storytelling.

The Safdies’ career took a major leap forward with Heaven Knows What (2014), which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival. This was followed by the release of Good Time (2017). In Good Time, Benny played a key role alongside Robert Pattinson, and the film received widespread acclaim, competing for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Benny’s performance earned him a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male. This was followed by the success of Uncut Gems (2019), which starred Adam Sandler and was executive-produced by Martin Scorsese.

The Safdies won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Director, and Benny shared the award for Best Editing with long-time collaborator Ronald Bronstein. In recent years, Benny Safdie has expanded his career by acting in films and TV projects that the Safdie brothers did not direct.

He appeared in Licorice Pizza (2021) and Pieces of a Woman (2020) and starred in the 2023 adaptation of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Additionally, he portrayed Edward Teller in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.

Benny has also explored television with The Curse, a series co-created with Nathan Fielder that premiered on Showtime in November 2023. The series earned critical acclaim and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Benny’s performance.

As of 2025, Benny is venturing into solo directing with The Smashing Machine, marking an exciting new phase in his career as he embraces diverse storytelling and projects outside his brotherly collaboration.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @bowedtie

Personal Life

Benny Safdie married Ava Safdie (née Rawski) in 2013. They have two sons, Cosmo and Murray James, and are raising their children in an interfaith household.

Filmography

• The Pleasure of Being Robbed (2008)
• Daddy Longlegs (2009)
• Heaven Knows What (2014)
• Good Time (2017)
• Uncut Gems (2019)
• The Smashing Machine (2025, upcoming)
• Oppenheimer (2023)
• Licorice Pizza (2021) and co-created the series The Curse (2023)

Net Worth

According to various sources, Benny Safdie’s net worth is estimated to be around $3 million as of 2025. This figure reflects his successful career as a film director, screenwriter, and actor, with notable contributions to acclaimed films such as Good Time and Uncut Gems. His work in directing and acting has solidified his position as a prominent figure in the film industry.