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Richard Benjamin

Richard Benjamin

Actor and director, also producer · Born May 22, 1938 (88) · New York City, New York, USA

Golden Globe winner · Primetime Emmy nominee

Richard Benjamin (born May 22, 1938) is an American actor and film director. He has starred in a number of productions, including Goodbye, Columbus (1969), based on the novella (1959) by Philip Roth, and Westworld (1973).

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 22, 1938 (88)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor and director, also producer
Titles
44 on MovieCove · 59 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Up 5% in 30 days

What are Richard Benjamin's films like?

Across their 36 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy29 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
42%
Self
22%
Power
12%
Morality
8%
Ideas
6%
Society
5%
Survival
4%
Romantic love10 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds11 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 36 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 29 · Serious 6 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 21 · Stylized 12 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 19 · Charged 15 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 18 · Shifting 18 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 21

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 23 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 27 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 30 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

14 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 5 of 14 analyzed roles.

Ally
5 of 14
Hero
4 of 14
Shadow
3 of 14
Herald
1 of 14
Mentor
1 of 14
Show the 14 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
17
Warm
16
Joyful
15
Tense
12
Romantic
9
Other
25

How their films linger

Feel-good21 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy18
  • Bittersweet11
  • Ambiguous7

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Richard Benjamin's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 21 of their 44 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Richard Benjamin's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

59 credits, 44 with a MovieCove page; 13 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Ex-Husbands(2023)

    as Simon Pearce

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • You People(2023)

    as Dr. Green

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Ida Western Exile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Thanks

  • Childrens Hospital(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Dan Richards

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Henry Poole Is Here(2008)

    as Dr. Fancher

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Pushing Daisies(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Jerry Holmes

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Keeping Up with the Steins(2006)

    as Ken

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • A Little Thing Called Murder(2006)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Goodbye Girl(2004)

    Director · Producer · as Oliver Frey

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Marci X(2003)

    Director · as Ben Feld

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • 'Halloween': A Cut Above the Rest(2003)

    as Peter Martin (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Shrink Is In(2001)

    Director · as Samantha's Editor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Laughter on the 23rd Floor(2001)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Sports Pages (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director

  • Titus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Bill

  • Tourist Trap(1998)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Pentagon Wars(1998)

    Director · as Casper Weinberger

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Deconstructing Harry(1997)

    as Ken

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Mrs. Winterbourne(1996)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Milk Money(1994)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Made in America(1993)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Mad About You(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Frank DiChristophoro

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Love & War(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Mermaids(1990)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Downtown(1990)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • My Stepmother Is an Alien(1988)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Little Nikita(1988)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Money Pit(1986)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • City Heat(1984)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Racing with the Moon(1984)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Packin' It In (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Gary Webber

  • My Favorite Year(1982)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady(1982)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Saturday the 14th(1981)

    as John

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • First Family(1980)

    as Press Secretary Bunthorne

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Witches' Brew (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Joshua Lightman

  • How to Beat the High Cost of Living(1980)

    as Albert

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Semi-Tough (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Last Married Couple in America(1980)

    as Marv Cooper

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Scavenger Hunt(1979)

    as Stuart Selsome

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Love at First Bite(1979)

    as Dr. Jeffery Rosenberg / Van Helsing

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Meyer Shine

  • House Calls(1978)

    as Dr. Norman Solomon

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • No Room to Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Nick Loomis

  • Quark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 8 episodes · as Adam Quark

  • The Sunshine Boys(1975)

    as Ben Clark

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Westworld(1973)

    as Peter Martin

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Last of Sheila(1973)

    as Tom Parkman

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Portnoy's Complaint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Alexander Portnoy

  • The Steagle(1971)

    as Harold Weiss

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker(1971)

    as William Alren

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Diary of a Mad Housewife(1970)

    as Jonathan Balser

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Catch-22(1970)

    as Maj. Danby

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Goodbye, Columbus(1969)

    as Neil Klugman

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • He & She (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 26 episodes · as Dick Hollister

  • Vacation Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Ted Penny

  • Dr. Kildare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Adam Barstow · as Intern

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Meyer Shine

  • Back of Book (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 59 titles, 58 of them dated from 1951 to 2024; peak year 1997.

Biggest box office

Made in America (1993)

$105M worldwide

Highest rated

Deconstructing Harry (1997)

Midcredits 88th

Most popular right now

My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988)

Film career

MilestoneBreakoutNomination
19512024

Peak 1997 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 6 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting41 of 59: 37 only acting, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score50thDirecting21 of 59: 17 only directing, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score44thProducing1 of 59: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew1 of 59: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

59 titles, 4 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

1950s1 · acting1960s4 · acting1970s14 · acting1980s14 · 7 acting · 7 crew1990s10 · 4 acting · 7 crew2000s12 · 9 acting · 6 crew2010s1 · crew2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 25% of 16 roles
697494

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

a Golden Globe from 3 major nominations, 1968–1976.

WinNomination
  1. 1976
    • Golden Globe, won · Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture
  2. 1971
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
  3. 1968
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Richard Benjamin's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 40; across their 36 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 47th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Approval · how many liked their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Reach · how many have seen their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Midcredits score across 44 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 44 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed20

Most divisive · actor, director

Marci X (2003)

80th percentile spread · 72% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Deconstructing Harry (1997)

Midcredits 88th · 78% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 35 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Richard Benjamin's work okay for kids?

Across up to 17 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles17–72 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity17 titles27–65 · median 47 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity12 titles25–54 · median 43 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs8 titles24–44 · median 35 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles12–56 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Richard Benjamin work with?

People who share at least 2 of Richard Benjamin's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jacqueline Cambas shares the most, 17.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles