Leigh Whannell
Biography
Leigh Whannell is an Australian filmmaker and actor born on January 17, 1977, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He has written multiple films, including Saw, Dead Silence, Insidious, and Insidious: Chapter 2, which were directed by James Wan. Whannell made his directorial debut with Insidious: Chapter 3 and has since directed Upgrade, The Invisible Man, and Wolf Man. He is also a producer or executive producer for the Saw franchise, and appeared as the Adam Stanheight character in three of the installments. Whannell is known for his work in the film industry, with over 70 known credits to his name.
Career overview
Leigh Whannell is an Australian filmmaker and actor. He has written multiple films, including Saw, Dead Silence, Insidious, and Insidious: Chapter 2. Whannell collaborated with James Wan on these projects.
Whannell and James Wan are the creators of the Saw franchise. Whannell wrote the first installment and co-wrote the second and third installments. He also appeared as the Adam Stanheight character in three of the installments. Whannell's writing credits include multiple films, with a total of 70 known credits.
Whannell made his directorial debut with Insidious: Chapter 3 in 2015. He has since directed three more films: Upgrade, The Invisible Man, and Wolf Man. Whannell's career as a writer and director spans multiple genres and projects, showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
118 titles- Insidious: Out of the Further (2026) Characters
- Insidious: Out of the Further (2026) Producer
- Wolf Man (2025) as Dan (voice)
- Wolf Man (2025) Executive Producer
- Wolf Man (2025) Director
- Wolf Man (2025) Screenplay
- Legacy of Screams: The Evolution of Horror Movies (2025) as Self - (archive footage)
- Insidious: The Red Door (2023) as Specs
- Insidious: The Red Door (2023) Characters
- Insidious: The Red Door (2023) Producer
- Insidious: The Red Door (2023) Story
- Saw X (2023) Executive Producer
- Saw X (2023) Characters
- Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021) Characters
- Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021) Executive Producer
- The Invisible Man (2020) Story
- The Invisible Man (2020) Director
- The Invisible Man (2020) Executive Producer
- The Invisible Man (2020) Screenplay
- Director’s Journal: Making The Invisible Man (2020) as Self
- Aquaman (2018) as Cargo Pilot
- Insidious: The Last Key (2018) as Specs
- Insidious: The Last Key (2018) Writer
- Insidious: The Last Key (2018) Characters
- Insidious: The Last Key (2018) Producer
- Upgrade (2018) Director
- Upgrade (2018) Writer
- Upgrade (2018) Executive Producer
- Home Shopper (2018) Story
- Home Shopper (2018) Executive Producer
- Jigsaw (2017) Executive Producer
- Jigsaw (2017) Characters
- The Bye Bye Man (2017) as Larry Redmon
- Keep Watching (2017) as Matt
- 78/52 (2017) as Self
- Knife of the Party (2016) Executive Producer
- Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) as Specs
- Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) Writer
- Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) Director
- Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) Characters
- Lavalantula (2015) as Darren
- Game Changer: The Legacy of Saw (2015) as Self
- Game Changer: The Legacy of Saw (2015) Thanks
- Cooties (2014) as Doug
- Cooties (2014) Executive Producer
- Cooties (2014) Story
- Cooties (2014) Writer
- The Mule (2014) as Gavin Ellis
- The Mule (2014) Writer
- The Mule (2014) Executive Producer
- Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) as Specs
- Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) Characters
- Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) Story
- Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) Screenplay
- Crush (2013) as David
- Raze (2013) as Security Guard
- The Pardon (2013) as Clement Moss
- Insidious: Spectral Sightings (2013) as Specs
- The Debt Collector (2012) as Donovan
- Insidious (2011) as Specs
- Insidious (2011) Writer
- Dick Elves (2011) as Larry
- Saw 3D (2010) as Adam Stanheight (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Saw 3D (2010) Executive Producer
- Saw 3D (2010) Characters
- Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010) as Jatt (voice)
- Saw VI (2009) Characters
- Saw VI (2009) Executive Producer
- The Last Supper (2009) as Phillip
- The Last Supper (2009) Executive Producer
- Saw V (2008) Characters
- Saw V (2008) Executive Producer
- Not Quite Hollywood (2008) as Self
- Dying Breed (2008) as Matt
- Doggie Heaven (2008) as Neil
- Doggie Heaven (2008) Screenplay
- Dead Silence (2007) Writer
- Dead Silence (2007) Story
- Saw IV (2007) Executive Producer
- Saw IV (2007) Characters
- Death Sentence (2007) as Spink
- 30 Even Scarier Movie Moments (2007) as Self
- The Making of Dead Silence (2007) as Self
- Making of Saw III (2007) as Self
- Saw III (2006) as Adam Radford
- Saw III (2006) Screenplay
- Saw III (2006) Executive Producer
- Saw III (2006) Story
- Saw III (2006) Characters
- Gregg Hoffman: In Memoriam (2006) as Self
- The Scott Tibbs Documentary (2006) as Adam Stanheight
- The Scott Tibbs Documentary (2006) Characters
- The Scott Tibbs Documentary (2006) Thanks
- Saw II (2005) as Adam Stanheight (voice) (uncredited)
- Saw II (2005) Executive Producer
- Saw II (2005) Writer
- Saw II (2005) Characters
- Saw: Rebirth (2005) Characters
- Hacking Away at Saw (2005) as Self
- Full Disclosure Report (2005) as Adam Faulkner-Stanheight
- Saw (2004) as Adam Radford
- Saw (2004) Story
- Saw (2004) Screenplay
- One Perfect Day (2004) as Chris
- The Matrix Reloaded (2003) as Axel
- The Referees (2003) as Footy Mate
- Saw (2003) as David
- Saw (2003) Executive Producer
- Saw (2003) Writer
- Razor Eaters (2003) as Nick D.
- The PhanDom Menace (2002) as Self
- Stygian (1998) as Clown / Punk Kid
- Recovery (1996) as Self
- Blue Heelers (1993) as Jared Ryan
- The Invisible Man 2 Characters
- Untitled Saw Film Producer
- Untitled Saw Film Characters
- The Green Hornet and Kato Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Leigh Whannell best known for?
Leigh Whannell is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Insidious: Out of the Further (2026), Insidious: Out of the Further (2026), Wolf Man (2025), Wolf Man (2025).
When and where was Leigh Whannell born?
Leigh Whannell was born on January 17, 1977 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
How many credits does Leigh Whannell have?
Leigh Whannell has accumulated over 118 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1993 to 2026.
What is Leigh Whannell's background in cinema and television?
Leigh Whannell is an Australian filmmaker and actor born on January 17, 1977, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He has written multiple films, including Saw, Dead Silence, Insidious, and Insidious: Chapter 2, which were directed by James Wan. Whannell made his directorial debut with Insidious: Chapter 3 and has since ...