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David Benioff

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David Benioff
Benioff in 2016
Born
David Friedman

(1970-09-25)September 25, 1970(age 53)
New York City,U.S.
EducationDartmouth College(BA)
Trinity College, Dublin
University of California, Irvine(MFA)
Occupations
  • Screenwriter
  • producer
  • novelist
Years active2001–present
Spouse
​
(m.2006)​
Children3
ParentStephen Friedman(father)

David Friedman(/ˈfriːdmən/;born September 25, 1970), known professionally asDavid Benioff(/ˈbɛniɒf/),[1][2]is an American writer and producer. Along with his collaboratorD. B. Weiss,he is best known for co-creatingGame of Thrones(2011–2019), theHBOadaptation ofGeorge R. R. Martin's series of booksA Song of Ice and Fire.[3]He also wrote25th Hour(2002),Troy(2004),City of Thieves(2008) and co-wroteX-Men Origins: Wolverine(2009).

Early life[edit]

Benioff was born David Friedman inNew York City,the youngest of three children in aJewishfamily with ancestral roots in Austria, Romania, Germany, Poland and Russia.[4][5]He is the son of Barbara (née Benioff) andStephen Friedman,a former head ofGoldman Sachs.[6]He has two older sisters, Suzy and Caroline,[7]and grew up inManhattan,first inPeter Cooper Village,then on86th Streetwhere he spent most of his childhood, before eventually moving near theU.N. headquarterswhen he was 16.[8]

Benioff is an alumnus ofCollegiate SchoolandDartmouth College.At Dartmouth he was a member ofPhi Delta Alphafraternity and theSphinx Senior Society.After graduating in 1992 with a B.A in English Literature, he had a number of jobs: for a time as aclub bouncerinSan Francisco,and as a high schoolEnglishteacher atPoly PrepinBrooklynfor two years, where he served as the school's wrestling coach.[8][9]

Benioff became interested in an academic career and went toTrinity College, Dublin(TCD), in 1995, for a one-year program to study Irish literature. InDublinhe metD. B. Weiss,who later became his collaborator.[4]Benioff wrote a thesis onSamuel Beckettat Trinity College, but decided against a career in academia.[8]He worked as a radio DJ inMoose, Wyoming,for a year—mostly as a side job that he accepted mainly to spend a year in the countryside at a writer's retreat.[10]He then applied to join theUniversity of California, Irvine's creative writing program after readingThe Mysteries of PittsburghbyMichael Chabon(an alumnus there),[11]and received aMaster of Fine Artsdegree in creative writing there in 1999.[12]

In 2001,Peoplemagazine included Benioff on its list of America's Top 50 Most Eligible Bachelors.[13]

As an adult, he began using thepen nameJacqueline Benioff when his first novel was published in 2001. Benioff is his mother'smaiden name.He explained that he did this to avoid confusion with other writers named David Friedman.[14][15]For legal purposes, his copyright filings from the 2010s onward list him as "David Benioff Friedman".[1]

Career[edit]

Benioff spent two years writing his first published novel,The 25th Hour,[16][17]originally titledFireman Down,and completed the book as his thesis for his master's degree at Irvine.[18][19]He was asked to adapt the book into a screenplay afterTobey Maguireread a preliminary trade copy and became interested in making a film of the book.[12]The film adaptation,25th Hour,starringEdward Norton,was directed bySpike Lee.[19][20]In 2004 Benioff published a collection of short stories,When the Nines Roll Over (And Other Stories).[21]

He drafted a screenplay of themythologicalepicTroy(2004), for which Warner Bros. pictures paid him $2.5 million.[22]He also wrote the script for the psychological thrillerStay(2005), directed byMarc Forsterand starringEwan McGregorandNaomi Watts.His screenplay forThe Kite Runner(2007), adapted from the novel of the same name, marked his second collaboration with Forster.

Benioff was hired in 2004 to write the screenplay for theX-Menspin-offX-Men Origins: Wolverine(2009). He based his script onBarry Windsor-Smith's "Weapon X"story,Chris ClaremontandFrank Miller's1982 limited series on the character,[23][24]as well as the 2001 limited seriesOrigin.[25]Hugh Jackmancollaborated on the script, which he wanted to be more of a character piece than the previousX-Menfilms.[26]Fox later hiredSkip Woodsto revise and rewrite Benioff's script.[27]Benioff had aimed for a "darker and a bit more brutal" story, writing it with anR ratingin mind, but acknowledged the film's final tone would rest with the producers and director.[23]

In 2006, Benioff became interested in adaptingGeorge R.R. Martin's novel seriesA Song of Ice and Fire,and began working withD.B. Weisson a proposed television series,Game of Thrones.[28]The pilot, "Winter Is Coming",was put into development by HBO in 2007 and the series greenlit in 2010. Benioff and Weiss acted as the show's executive producers,showrunners,and writers. It began airing onHBOin 2011. Benioff and Weiss had previously worked together on a script for a horror film titledThe Headmaster,but it was never made.[8]They also directed three episodes ofGame of Thrones,flipping a coin to decide who would get the credit on the show. Benioff was given the credit forseason 3episode 3, "Walk of Punishment",while Weiss was credited withseason 4episode 1, "Two Swords".[8]They co-directed the series finale, "The Iron Throne".[29]

In October 2007,Universal Pictureshired Benioff to write an adapted screenplay of theCharles R. Crossbiography ofKurt Cobain,but the screenplay was not used.[30]

In 2008, Benioff's second novel,City of Thieves,was published.[31][32]

In April 2014, Benioff announced he and Weiss had taken on their first feature film project to write, produce, and directDirty White Boys,based on a novel byStephen Hunter.[33][34]21st Century Foxgreenlit pre-production on the movie even though at the time, both producers had significant contractual obligations for other projects. Though it was assumed development onDirty White Boyswould proceed slowly, promotion for the film not only began slow but stopped altogether. According to Kasey Moore, it has been years since anyone once known to be involved withDirty White Boys,has given an update on the project's status.[35]

In July 2017, Benioff announced that he and Weiss would produce another HBO series,Confederate,after the final season ofGame of Thrones.Benioff and Weiss said, "We have discussedConfederatefor years, originally as a concept for a feature film, but our experience onThroneshas convinced us that no one provides a bigger, better storytelling canvas than HBO. "[36]The announcement ofConfederatemet with public animosity and as of August 2019 (when Benioff's and Weiss's deal with Netflix was announced) is not moving forward.[37]

In February 2018,Disneyannounced that Benioff and Weiss would write and produce a new series ofStar Warsfilms after the final season ofGame of Thronesended in 2019.[38]

Towards the end of the final season ofGame of Thrones,a petition toHBOwas started onChange.org.It called Benioff and Weiss "woefully incompetent writers" and demanded "competent writers" to remake the eighth season ofGame of Thronesin a manner "that makes sense".[39]The petition eventually amassed over 1.5 million signatures.[40]In theChicago Sun Times,Richard Roeperwrote that the backlash to the eighth season was so great that he doubted he had "ever seen the level of fan (and to a lesser degree, critical) vitriol leveled at"Game of Thrones.[41]

In early August 2019, Benioff and Weiss negotiated an exclusive multi-year film and television deal withNetflixworth $200 million.[42][43]Due to their commitments to Netflix, Benioff and Weiss exited their contract to produceStar Warsfilms for Disney andLucasfilm.[44][45][46]

Benioff's and Weiss's first project on Netflix was to direct thestand-up comedyspecialLeslie Jones:Time Machine.[47]

In September 2020, it was announced that Benioff, Weiss andAlexander Woowill write and executive produce a Netflix series based onThe Three-Body Problemtrilogy.[48]

Personal life[edit]

On September 30, 2006, Benioff married actressAmanda Peetin a traditionalJewish ceremonyinNew York City.[49][4]They have three children.[50]The family divides their time between homes inManhattanandBeverly Hills.He is a second cousin of software entrepreneur Salesforce CEOMarc Benioff.

Bibliography[edit]

Title Year Type Note
The 25th Hour 2001 Novel Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher:Plume;Reissue edition (January 29, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN0-452-28295-0
When the Nines Roll Over (and Other Stories) 2004 Short story collection Hardcover: 223 pages
Publisher:Viking Books(August 19, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN0-670-03339-1
City of Thieves 2008 Novel Hardcover: 281 pages
Publisher:Viking Books(May 15, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN0-670-01870-8

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Writer Producer Director Notes
2002 25th Hour Yes No Spike Lee Nominated—Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay
2004 Troy Yes No Wolfgang Petersen
2005 Stay Yes No Marc Forster
When the Nines Roll Over Yes Yes Himself Short film based on a story fromWhen the Nines Roll Over
2007 The Kite Runner Yes No Marc Forster Christopher Awardfor Best Feature Film
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Nominated—BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
2009 X-Men Origins: Wolverine Yes No Gavin Hood
Brothers Yes No Jim Sheridan
2019 Gemini Man Yes No Ang Lee
2022 Metal Lords No Yes Peter Sollett

Television[edit]

Year Title Director Writer Executive Producer Notes
2011–2019 Game of Thrones Yes Yes Yes Co-creator
Directed and wrote episodes "Walk of Punishment"and"The Iron Throne"
Wrote 45 episodes
2013–2017 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia No Yes No Wrote episode "Flowers for Charlie"
Cameo as "Bored Lifeguard #1"(In episode "The Gang Goes to a Water Park" )
2020 Leslie Jones: Time Machine Yes No No TV special;
Co-directed withD.B. Weiss
2021 The Chair No No Yes
2024 3 Body Problem No Yes Yes Co-creator
Wrote 4 episodes
TBA The Overstory No Yes No
TBA Death by Lightning No No Yes

Awards and nominations[edit]

Primetime Emmy Award[edit]

Year Category Recipient Result
2011 Outstanding Drama Series Game of Thrones Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Nominated
2012 Outstanding Drama Series Nominated
2013 Outstanding Drama Series Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Nominated
2014 Outstanding Drama Series Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Nominated
2015 Outstanding Drama Series Won
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Won
2016 Outstanding Drama Series Won
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Won
2018 Outstanding Drama Series Won
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Nominated
2019 Outstanding Drama Series Won
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Nominated

Writers Guild of America Awards[edit]

Year Category Recipient Result
2012 Drama Series Game of Thrones Nominated
New Series Nominated
2013 Drama Series Nominated
2015 Drama Series Nominated
2016 Drama Series Nominated
Episodic Drama Nominated
2017 Drama Series Nominated
Episodic Drama Nominated
2018 Drama Series Nominated

Other awards[edit]

Year Title Award/Nomination
2011–2019 Game of Thrones Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation,Long Form (2012)[51]
Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation,Short Form (2013–2014)[52][53]
Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama(2015)[54]
Golden Nymph Awardsfor Outstanding International Producer (2012)[55]
Nominated—Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama (2011–2014, 2016, 2018)[56][57][58][59][60][61]
Nominated—BAFTA for Best International Programme(2013)[62]
Nominated—Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form (2015, 2017)[63][64]
Nominated—USC Scripter Awardfor Best Adapted Screenplay (2016–2017)[65][66]
Nominated—Humanitas Prizefor 60 Minute Network or Syndicated Television (2017)[67]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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  4. ^abcKamin, Debra (May 20, 2014)."The Jewish legacy behind 'Game of Thrones'".The Times of Israel.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
  5. ^Bloom, Nate (February 2, 2012)."Jewish Stars: genealogy and fairy tales".Cleveland Jewish News.
  6. ^"Deaths: Benioff, Florence".The New York Times.August 28, 2000.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
  7. ^cityfile (February 3, 2008)."Stephen Friedman".gawker.RetrievedMarch 19,2018.
  8. ^abcde"The Surprising Connection Between Game of Thrones and Monty Python".Vanity Fair.March 24, 2014.
  9. ^"Novelist and Hollywood Personality David Benioff: He's a Former English Teacher".Chalkboard Champions.December 18, 2013.
  10. ^Ellis, James (October 27, 2009)."David Benioff".Metro.
  11. ^Gottlieb, Jeff (September 2, 2002)."Program Gives Writers a Professional Polish".The Los Angeles Times.Archived fromthe originalon September 30, 2016.RetrievedJuly 14,2017.
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  15. ^Alden, William (March 19, 2014)."Former Goldman Chief Walks Among Warriors and Dragons".DealBook.
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  18. ^"Crowning achievement".UCI News.August 12, 2014.
  19. ^abBenioff, David (May 3, 2003)."One more hour".The Guardian.
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  23. ^abMishler, James (June 2005). "David Benioff, Screenwriter of Wolverine: He's One of Us".Comics Buyer's Guide:18–20.
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  30. ^Rosenberg, Adam (April 5, 2010)."Kurt Cobain Biopic 'In The Works,' 16 Years After His Death".MTV News.Archived fromthe originalon June 10, 2015.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
  31. ^Benioff, David (2008-05-15). City of Thieves: A Novel. New York: Plume.ISBN9780452295292.
  32. ^Wartime Rations - Book Review - 'City of Thieves,' by David Benioff, NYTimes, July 6, 2008. Fishman, Boris. nytimes /2008/07/06/books/review/Fishman-t.html. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
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  67. ^"'Game of Thrones,' 'Black-ish' Top Humanitas Prize Finalists ".Variety. January 11, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 11,2018.

External links[edit]

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