Josh Safdie and Benny Safdie

Joshua Safdie, Benny Safdie – 70th Annual Cannes Film Festival – “Good Time” Photocall – Palais des Festivals – Cannes, France, 2017 – False – Photo Credit: Laurent Koffel / PRPhotos.com 

Birth Name:
*Joshua E. Safdie
*Benjamin A. Safdie

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth:
*April 3, 1984 (Josh)
*February 24, 1986 (Benny)

Ethnicity: Syrian Sephardi Jewish, Ashkenazi Jewish

Josh Safdie and Benny/Ben Safdie, the Safdie brothers, are American independent filmmakers, writer, directors, and actors. They are related to Israeli architect Moshe Safdie. Their father, who was raised in France and Italy, is of Syrian Jewish descent. Their mother is Ashkenazi.

Benny is married to Ava, with whom he has two children.

The Safdie brothers’ maternal grandfather was named Richard Neimeth (the son of Edward Neimeth and Catherine). Richard was born in New York. Edward was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents, Louis Neimeth and Fannie/Fanny/Sophia Kaiser.

The Safdie brothers’ maternal grandmother is Margaret “Peggy” Sprung (the daughter of Murray Sprung and Mary Norkin). Margaret was born in New York. Murray was a war crimes prosecutor, and was the son of Austrian Jewish parents, Hyman Spring and Rose Baisen.

Sources: The Safdie brothers’ maternal grandfather, Richard Neimeth, on the 1940 U.S. Census –

Obituary of the Safdie brothers’ maternal grandfather, Richard Neimeth –

The Safdie brothers’ maternal great-grandfather, Edward Neimeth, on the 1920 U.S. Census –

Death record of The Safdie brothers’ maternal great-great-grandfather, Louis Neimeth –

Obituary of the Safdie brothers’ maternal great-grandfather, Murray Sprung –