Charles Stuart Kaufman (born November 1st, 1958) is an Academy Award, BAFTA, and Independent Spirit Award-winning American screenwriter, producer, and director. In 2003, he was listed at #100 on Premiere's annual "Power 100" list.

Kaufman was identified by Time Magazine in 2004 as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

His best-known works includes Synecdoche, New York, Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Adaptation., and Human Nature.