Brady Corbet

Brady James Monson Corbet ( ; born August 17, 1988) is an American filmmaker and former actor. He had roles in films such as Thirteen, Mysterious Skin (2004), Funny Games (2007), Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011), Melancholia (2011), and Clouds of Sils Maria (2014), as well as the series 24 (2006) and Olive Kitteridge (2014).

Since retiring from acting in 2014 to pursue his filmmaking career with his partner Mona Fastvold, Corbet made his directorial debut with the psychological drama The Childhood of a Leader (2015). He has since co-written and directed the musical drama Vox Lux (2018) and the period epic The Brutalist (2024). The latter earned him the Silver Lion, BAFTA, and Golden Globe for Best Director as well as three Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Director, and Original Screenplay.

Early life Brady James Monson Corbet was born in Scottsdale, Arizona, on August 17, 1988. He was raised by a single mother, whom he regards as the closest thing he has to "a hero". On his mother's side, he has Irish, Serbian (from Apatin), and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry; he attended Catholic school.

Career

Corbet began an acting career at age eleven with a guest role in an April 2000 episode of CBS' The King of Queens, and he followed it up with voice work in the English version of the animated Japanese series NieA under 7. Over the next few years he was a regular on another animated series, I My Me! Strawberry Eggs (2001), and he guest-starred in a May 2002 episode of the WB sitcom Greetings from Tucson. He also appeared in a May 2003 episode of Fox's sitcom Oliver Beene. In 2003 he landed his first film role when he was cast in Thirteen.

In 2004 Corbet starred as the youngest son of a billionaire ex-astronaut in Thunderbirds, Jonathan Frakes' live-action movie based on the 1960s British T.V. series. Later that same year, Gregg Araki cast him in Mysterious Skin, based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Scott Heim; Corbet portrayed a troubled teenager who is plagued by nightmares and believes that he may have been abducted by aliens. The film debuted in that year's Venice Film Festival and had a limited release in 2005.

In 2006, Corbet returned to television with a recurring role as the son of Jack Bauer's new girlfriend in the fifth season of 24. He also appeared in the independent rock band Bright Eyes' music video "At the Bottom of Everything" (2005). In October 2006, he was featured in the Ima Robot video for "Lovers in Captivity", which was produced independently of their Virgin Records label and was featured in an Out Magazine article. He played the role of Watts in the 2011 psychological thriller Martha Marcy May Marlene.

In 2013, Corbet signed to direct his first feature film, The Childhood of a Leader. It premiered in the Horizons section of the 72nd Venice International Film Festival, where he won Best Director in the festival's Horizons (Orizzonti) section. In 2018, Corbet directed his second feature film Vox Lux.

In September 2020, it was reported that Corbet would direct his third feature film, the immigrant drama The Brutalist. The film was released in 2024 to critical acclaim and earned ten nominations at the 97th Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. He also won the Silver Lion at the 81st Venice International Film Festival and Best Director at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards.

In November 2025, Corbet revealed that his next film would be an "X-rated movie" that takes place "mostly in the 1970s", adding that the film would span from the 19th century to the present day, stating that it will be about economy in California. The project is expected to begin filming in summer 2026.

Personal life Since 2013, Corbet has been in a relationship with Norwegian filmmaker and actress Mona Fastvold. They have a daughter born in 2014.

Fastvold and Corbet met by being introduced by their mutual friend, actor Christopher Abbott, who is now their daughter’s godfather. After meeting, they became friends and began co-writing films. They then became a couple after finishing the first film they wrote together, The Sleepwalker.

Filmography Film Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes 2008 Protect You + Me. Short film 2012 Simon Killer Written with Antonio Campos and Mati Diop 2014 The Sleepwalker Written with Mona Fastvold 2015 The Childhood of a Leader 2018 Vox Lux 2019 30/30 Vision: 3 Decades of Strand Releasing Anthology film; segment "The Day the 'Conducator' Died" 2024 The Brutalist Written with Mona Fastvold 2025 The Testament of Ann Lee

Acting

Television

Acting

Awards and nominations

Directed Academy Award performancesUnder Corbet's direction, these actors have received Academy Award nominations (and one win) for their performances in their respective roles.