David Benioff Friedman was born on the 25th of September 1970 in New York City USA. The Hollywood screenwriter, producer and novelist who later on let go of his last name (to avoid confusion with another writer) is famously known for his book “25th Hour” and is currently the co-creator of the hit TV series “Game of Thrones”.
So how rich is David Benioff? The writer’s net worth as of early 2016 is reported by authoritative sources to be $18 million as of early 2016. He has garnered his value from translating books into film, writing the scripts of hit movies and television series, and writing books of his own.
David Benioff Net Worth $18 Million
Benioff is the son of Barbara Benioff and Stephen Friedman, the former head of Goldman Sachs. Growing up in New York, he is the youngest of three children. Benioff graduated from Dartmouth College and earned his Masters degree in Creative Writing from the University of California-Irvine, and Master of Arts at Trinity College, Dublin. The writer was also a jack of all trades, working as a disc jockey, a club bouncer and later on a high school teacher at Poly Prep in Brooklyn, New York, where he wrote his novel “The 25th Hour”. The would-be movie was dismissed by 13 publishers before it was actually turned into a book.
The former teacher’s value and career took an interesting turn when his book was later on adapted into a movie. “25th Hour” starred Edward Norton and directed by Spike Lee. After the success of his first book, Benioff went on to write his second work “When the Nines Roll Over (And Other Stories)” in 2004. His net worth was growing steadily.
Fresh from the print of his latest work, he then commenced to draft the screenplay of “Troy”, later realized into a movie starring Brad Pitt, and which placed Benioff’s name on the Hollywood map. In 2005, he wrote the script for “Stay”, subsequently another star-studded production directed by Marc Foster. Benioff once again worked with Foster for the movie adaptation of the book “The Kite Runner” written by Khaled Hosseini in 2007. His net worth was still rising.
The screen-writer took a break from the screen and wrote another book entitled “City of Thieves” in 2008, a coming of age story and black comedy set against the background of World War II. Some of Benioff’s other projects that catapulted his career and value are “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”, “Brothers”, and the television series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”.
In 2007, Benioff was once again set to reach new heights when he and his friend D. B. Weiss adapted George R.R. Martin’s book “A Song of Ice and Fire” into a TV series. Benioff enjoyed the series so much that he and Weiss reached out to Martin and developed it into the successful series that we know now as “Game of Thrones”. In April 2011, the first episode aired and the rest has been history. Benioff’s work on the show paid off when he and Weiss won an Emmy for the show in 2015.
In his personal life, Benioff married actress Amanda Peet in 2006. The pair has two daughters and a son, and now reside in New York City.
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, Producers Guild of America Award - Norman Felton Producer of the Year Award in Episodic Television - Drama, Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form, Hugo Award for Best D...
Nominations
Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Dramatic Series, Writers Guild of America Award for Television: New Series, Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Episodic Drama, BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Satellite Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, British Academy Television I...
Movies
“X-Men Origins: Wolverine”, “Brothers”, “Game of Thrones”
[on the 'Game of Thrones' series] Wiser network heads might have said 'You can't kill Sean Bean nine episodes into your show'. Guess what? The lead dies. That's why HBO is HBO. They break all the rules.
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Fact
1
While working on Game of Thrones, he and co-creator D. B. Weiss worked all through the year, non stop. They would write an outline for each season and then started writing the actual scripts while managing production at the same time. The scripts had to be all done by the time they started filming the season, and as the large production it is they were filming for months with several units in several countries at the same time, while they did re-writings of parts of the scripts and made perfections. They also made sure there's always a man from the writing crew at one of the filming units, to supervise. Almost immediately after finishing filming, they started writing the outline for the next season. At the same time, the previous season was in post production phases like editing and sound mixing, and they had to oversee all these procedures while writing, and later deal with marketing of the upcoming season as well. David and Dan would occasionally say in interviews that all they want to do once they finish with the show is to "get some sleep".
2
Has several projects at various stages of development, including his own script "Alpha" at DreamWorks and several adaptations. Marc Forster, currently working off Benioff's script "Stay", is developing "Alpha" to direct. [September 2003]
3
David and Amanda became the parents of another girl, Molly June Benioff, on April 22, 2010 in New York City.
4
One of 105 people invited to join AMPAS in 2008.
5
His novel, "City of Thieves" (2008), is set during the Siege of Leningrad.
6
David and Amanda became the parents of their first child, a girl named Frances Pen, on February 20, 2007. Frances weighed in at 6 lbs, 10 oz.
7
David and Amanda were married at Amanda's alma mater, Friends Seminary high school, in New York City.
8
His real name is David Friedman. "Benioff" comes from his maternal grandfather, Shim Benioff.
9
His father is Stephen Friedman, a Sr. partner and Chairman of Goldman Sachs, the current Chairman of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, and former Director of the National Economic Council (2002-2005), personally appointed by President Bush.
TV Series created by - 71 episodes, 2011 - 2018 written for television by - 28 episodes, 2013 - 2016 written by - 13 episodes, 2011 - 2012 creator - 2 episodes, 2017 story by - 1 episode, 2011 teleplay by - 1 episode, 2011
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
2013
TV Series written by - 1 episode
Brothers
2009/I
screenplay
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
2009
screenplay
The Kite Runner
2007
screenplay
When the Nines Roll Over
2006
Short
Stay
2005/I
written by
Troy
2004
screenplay
25th Hour
2002
novel / screenplay
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Game of Thrones
2011-2018
TV Series executive producer - 73 episodes
When the Nines Roll Over
2006
Short executive producer
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Game of Thrones
2013
TV Series 1 episode
When the Nines Roll Over
2006
Short
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
2017
TV Series
Bored Lifeguard #1
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series
2014
Video Game very special thanks
Love Is Strange
2014
special thanks
Boy
2010/I
the producers wish to thank for their support
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The 68th Primetime Emmy Awards
2016
TV Special
Himself - Winner: Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series
Conan
2016
TV Series
Himself - Guest
The 67th Primetime Emmy Awards
2015
TV Special
Himself - Winner: Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series
Late Night with Seth Meyers
2015
TV Series
Himself
Game of Thrones: A Day in the Life
2015
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Series Creator (uncredited)
The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards
2014
TV Special
Himself - Nominee: Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards
2013
TV Special
Himself - Nominee: Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (credit only)
The Writers' Room
2013
TV Series
Himself - Co-Creator / Executive Producer
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
2012-2013
TV Series
Himself - Guest
Game of Thrones: Destinations of Season 2
2012
Video documentary
Himself
Game of Thrones: Season 2 - In Production, Iceland
2012
Video
Himself
Game of Thrones: Season 2 - Invitation to the Set
2012
Video documentary
Himself
Game of Thrones: Season 2 - In Production: Croatia
2012
Video documentary
Himself
Game of Thrones: You Win or You Die - Inside the HBO Series
2012
TV Movie
Himself - Executive Producer / Writer
Game of Thrones: Season 2 - In Production, Belfast
2011
Video documentary
Himself
Making of Game of Thrones
2011
Video documentary
Himself
Game of Thrones: Costumes
2011
Video documentary
Himself
Game of Thrones: Inside the Night's Watch
2011
Video documentary
Himself
Jim Sheridan: Film and Family
2010
Video short
Himself
Re-Made in the USA: How Brodre Became Brothers
2010
Video short
Himself
Attacking Troy
2007
Video documentary short
Himself
Troy in Focus
2007
Video documentary short
Himself
Troy: From Ruins to Reality
2005
Video documentary short
Himself
The Making of 'Troy'
2004
TV Movie documentary
Himself
HBO First Look
2004
TV Series documentary
Himself
Troy: An Effects Odyssey
2004
Video documentary short
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2016
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2016
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2016
PGA Award
PGA Awards
Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama
Game of Thrones (2011)
2015
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2015
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2015
Gold Derby TV Award
Gold Derby Awards
Drama Episode of the Year
Game of Thrones (2011)
2015
Screenplay Competition
Screenwriters Choice Awards, Online
Best Television Drama
Game of Thrones (2011)
2014
Hugo
Hugo Awards
Best Dramatic Presentation - Short Form
Game of Thrones (2011)
2013
Gold Derby TV Award
Gold Derby Awards
Drama Episode of the Year
Game of Thrones (2011)
2013
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Direction in a Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2012
Hugo
Hugo Awards
Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form
Game of Thrones (2011)
2012
Golden Nymph
Monte-Carlo TV Festival
Outstanding International Producer (Drama Series)
Game of Thrones (2011)
2012
SFX Award
SFX Awards, UK
Best New TV Show
Game of Thrones (2011)
2008
Christopher Award
Christopher Awards
Feature Films
The Kite Runner (2007)
2004
IOMA
Italian Online Movie Awards (IOMA)
Best Adapted Screenplay (Miglior sceneggiatura non originale)
25th Hour (2002)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2016
Gold Derby TV Award
Gold Derby Awards
Drama Episode of the Year
Game of Thrones (2011)
2016
Gold Derby TV Award
Gold Derby Awards
Drama Episode of the Year
Game of Thrones (2011)
2016
USC Scripter Award
USC Scripter Award
Television
Game of Thrones (2011)
2016
WGA Award (TV)
Writers Guild of America, USA
Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2016
WGA Award (TV)
Writers Guild of America, USA
Episodic Drama
Game of Thrones (2011)
2015
Gold Derby TV Award
Gold Derby Awards
Drama Episode of the Year
Game of Thrones (2011)
2015
Hugo
Hugo Awards
Best Dramatic Presentation - Short Form
Game of Thrones (2011)
2015
PGA Award
PGA Awards
Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama
Game of Thrones (2011)
2015
WGA Award (TV)
Writers Guild of America, USA
Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2014
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2014
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2014
Gold Derby TV Award
Gold Derby Awards
Drama Episode of the Year
Game of Thrones (2011)
2014
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Direction in a Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2014
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Writing in a Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2014
PGA Award
PGA Awards
Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama
Game of Thrones (2011)
2014
Screenplay Competition
Screenwriters Choice Awards, Online
Best Television Drama
Game of Thrones (2011)
2013
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2013
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2013
BAFTA TV Award
BAFTA Awards
Best International
Game of Thrones (2011)
2013
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Writing in a Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2013
PGA Award
PGA Awards
Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama
Game of Thrones (2011)
2013
WGA Award (TV)
Writers Guild of America, USA
Dramatic Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2012
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2012
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Writing in a Drama Series
Game of Thrones (2011)
2012
PGA Award
PGA Awards
Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama