
Biography
Charles Stuart Kaufman (born November 19, 1958) is an American filmmaker and novelist. He wrote the films Being John Malkovich (1999), Adaptation (2002), and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). He both wrote and directed the films Synecdoche, New York (2008), Anomalisa (2015), and I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020). In 2020, Kaufman made his literary debut with the release of his first novel, Antkind. One of the most celebrated screenwriters of his era, Kaufman has received an Academy Award, three BAFTA Awards, two Independent Spirit Awards, and a Writers Guild of America Award. Film critic Roger Ebert called Synecdoche, New York "the best movie of the decade" in 2009. Three of Kaufman's scripts appear in the Writers Guild of America's list of the 101 greatest movie screenplays ever written.
Awards & recognition
- Time Machine Award · 2008
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Original Screenplay · 2005
- Writers Guild of America Award
- Academy Award — Best Animated Feature · 2016 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Original Screenplay · 2005 · nominated
Show all 7 awards →
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 2003 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Original Screenplay · 2000 · nominated
Filmography19 titles

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Too Funny to Fail: The Life & Death of the Dana Carvey Show

Moral Orel

Her

Beth Stelling: Girl Daddy

Synecdoche, New York

Being John Malkovich

Get a Life

Adaptation.

Anomalisa

Kung Fu Panda 2

Ned and Stacey

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

Orion and the Dark

I'm Thinking of Ending Things

The Actor

Darkest Miriam

How to Shoot a Ghost

Human Nature