Abel Ferrara Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Parents, Height, Movies, Independent Cinema

Abel Ferrara is an American independent filmmaker, director, screenwriter, and actor known for his raw, provocative, and often controversial films exploring themes of crime, addiction, redemption, violence, and spirituality.

He gained cult status with gritty New York-set crime dramas in the 1980s and 1990s and later shifted toward more introspective and metaphysical works.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Abel Ferrara
• Stage Name: Abel Ferrara
• Born: July 19, 1951
• Age: 74 years old
• Birthplace: The Bronx, New York City, New York, United States
• Nationality: American
• Ethnicity: Italian-American
• Occupation: Film Director, Screenwriter, Actor
• Height: Unknown
• Religion: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. Ferrara and Mrs. Ferrara
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Cristina Chiriac
• Children: Anna Ferrara, Francesco Ferrara
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million USD

Early Life and Education

Abel Ferrara was born on July 19, 1951, in the Bronx, New York City, New York, United States. He was raised by his parents, Mr. Ferrara and Mrs. Ferrara, in a working-class Italian-American family in the Bronx. Details about siblings are not publicly available.

He grew up in a neighborhood surrounded by crime and urban decay, experiences that later influenced his cinematic style. He attended Cardinal Spellman High School and briefly studied film at the State University of New York at Purchase before dropping out to pursue filmmaking independently.

His ethnicity is Italian-American, and his religion is not publicly specified.

Career

Abel Ferrara began making short films and low-budget features in the 1970s, including the controversial pornographic film Nine Lives Are Not Enough (1976). He gained attention with Driller Killer (1979), a violent horror film shot on a micro-budget.

His breakthrough came with King of New York (1990), starring Christopher Walken, followed by Bad Lieutenant (1992), a raw portrait of corruption and redemption starring Harvey Keitel. He continued with cult classics such as The Addiction (1995), The Funeral (1996), New Rose Hotel (1998), and ‘R Xmas (2001).

After relocating to Italy in the 2010s, he shifted toward more personal and spiritual films including Go Go Tales (2007), Chelsea on the Rocks (2008), 4:44 Last Day on Earth (2011), Welcome to New York (2014), and Siberia (2020). He has also acted in his own films and others, and directed documentaries and television episodes. His work is characterized by intense performances, handheld cinematography, and exploration of moral ambiguity.

Social Media

Abel Ferrara does not have social media accounts.

Personal Life

Abel Ferrara is currently 74 years old. He is married to actress and producer Cristina Chiriac since 2017. He was previously in a long-term relationship with actress Nancy Ferrara (divorced). He has two children: daughter Anna Ferrara and son Francesco Ferrara.

He has lived in Rome, Italy, since the early 2010s, citing a desire for a quieter life and creative freedom away from Hollywood pressures. He has been open about past struggles with addiction and his spiritual journey.

Net Worth

Abel Ferrara‘s net worth is estimated at $5 million USD. His income primarily comes from directing and screenwriting independent films through festival sales, distribution deals, and streaming rights; acting roles in his own projects and occasional guest appearances; producing credits on his films; teaching and masterclasses at film schools and festivals; and other ventures in the independent film industry including archival restorations and retrospective screenings.

Filmography

• The Driller Killer (1979)
• Ms. 45 (1981)
• King of New York (1990)
• Bad Lieutenant (1992)
• The Addiction (1995)
• The Funeral (1996)
• New Rose Hotel (1998)
• ‘R Xmas (2001)
• Go Go Tales (2007)
• Chelsea on the Rocks (2008)
• 4:44 Last Day on Earth (2011)
• Welcome to New York (2014)
• Siberia (2020)
• Various shorts, documentaries, and television episodes (ongoing)