David Ayer is an American filmmaker born on 18 January 1968 in Champaign, Illinois. Known primarily for his work in directing, he has 14 credits to his name. His directing work includes Harsh Times (2005), Street Kings (2008) and End of Watch (2012), followed by Fury and Sabotage, both released in 2014. He went on to direct Suicide Squad (2016), Bright (2017) and The Tax Collector (2020).
More recently, Ayer directed The Beekeeper (2024) and A Working Man (2025). He has also made brief uncredited appearances on screen, playing the First Russian Hitman in Training Day (2001) and an NLR member in County Jail in Street Kings. His next listed project, John Doe, is scheduled for release on 14 January 2028.
New & upcoming work
- John Doe · 14 Jan 2028
Frequent co-stars
- Michael Peña · 3 films together: Fury, A Working Man, End of Watch
- David Harbour · 2 films together: A Working Man, End of Watch
- Brad Pitt · 2 films together: Heart of the Beast, Fury
- Will Smith · 2 films together: Suicide Squad, Bright
- Shia LaBeouf · 2 films together: Fury, The Tax Collector
- Jason Statham · 2 films together: The Beekeeper, A Working Man
Career at a glance
First credit: Training Day (2001) · Credits: 14
Roles played
Titles reviewed on Drama4U
Heart of the Beast2026 · DirectorReviewed
Other work
A Working Man2025 · Director
The Beekeeper2024 · Director
The Tax Collector2020 · Director
Deputy2020 · Director
Bright2017 · Director
Suicide Squad2016 · Director
Fury2014 · Director
Sabotage2014 · Director
End of Watch2012 · Director
Street Kings2008 · NLR member in County Jail (uncredited)- Street Kings2008 · Director
Harsh Times2005 · Director
Training Day2001 · First Russian Hitman (uncredited)
Images: TMDB · Posters belong to their respective copyright holders and are shown only to identify the work and for review purposes
Profile based on TMDB and Wikidata facts and checked against public sources. Career information only.