Skip to main content
Leigh Whannell

Leigh Whannell

Writing1977Melbourne, Australia

Biography

Leigh Whannell (/ˈli ˈwɑːnɛl/; born 17 January 1977) is an Australian filmmaker and actor. He has written multiple films that were directed by his friend James Wan, including Saw (2004), Dead Silence (2007), Insidious (2010), and Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013). Whannell made his directorial debut with Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) and has since directed three more films, Upgrade (2018), The Invisible Man (2020) and Wolf Man (2025).

Whannell and Wan are the creators of the Saw franchise. Whannell wrote the first installment, co-wrote the second and third installments, was the producer or executive producer for all the films, and appeared as the Adam Stanheight character in three of the installments. He was also the writer of the Saw video game (2009) and co-writer of the film Cooties (2014).

Description above from the Wikipedia article Leigh Whannell, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Acting History

2025
Wolf Man
as Dan (voice)
Wolf Man
Director
Wolf Man
Executive Producer
Wolf Man
Screenplay
2018
Aquaman
as Cargo Pilot
Home Shopper
Executive Producer
Upgrade
Director
Upgrade
Writer
Upgrade
Executive Producer
2017
78/52
as Self
The Bye Bye Man
as Larry Redmon
Jigsaw
Executive Producer
Jigsaw
Characters
2014
Cooties
as Doug
The Mule
as Gavin Ellis
Cooties
Executive Producer
Cooties
Story
Cooties
Writer
The Mule
Writer
The Mule
Executive Producer
2013
Crush
as David
Raze
as Security Guard
The Pardon
as Clement Moss
2011
Insidious
as Specs
Insidious
Writer
2010
Saw 3D
as Adam Stanheight (archive footage) (uncredited)
Saw 3D
Executive Producer
Saw 3D
Characters
2009
Saw VI
Characters
Saw VI
Executive Producer
2007
30 Even Scarier Movie Moments
TVas Himself2 eps
Saw IV
Executive Producer
Saw IV
Characters
2006
Saw III
as Adam Stanheight
Saw III
Screenplay
Saw III
Story
Saw III
Executive Producer
Saw III
Characters
2005
Full Disclosure Report
as Adam Faulkner-Stanheight
Saw II
as Adam Stanheight (voice) (uncredited)
Saw II
Executive Producer
Saw II
Characters
Saw II
Writer
Saw: Rebirth
Characters
2004
Saw
as Adam Faulkner-Stanheight
Saw
Story
Saw
Screenplay
2003
Saw
as David
Razor Eaters
as Nick D.
The Referees
as Footy Mate
Saw
Executive Producer
Saw
Writer
1999
Blue Heelers
TVas Jared Ryan2 eps
1998
Stygian
as Clown / Punk Kid

Social Media

Personal Info

Known For
Writing
Gender
Male
Birthday
1/17/1977(49 years old)
Place of Birth
Melbourne, Australia