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Dan Bilzerian

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Dan Bilzerian
Bilzerian in 2019
Born
Daniel Brandon Bilzerian

(1980-12-07) December 7, 1980 (age 43)
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
CitizenshipUnited States (1980–present)
Armenia (2018–present)
Parent
RelativesAdam Bilzerian (brother)

Daniel Brandon Bilzerian (born December 7, 1980) is an American poker player, businessman, and social media influencer. His career has been marked by his participation in high-stakes poker, including the 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event. His poker achievements and claims, such as winning $11 million in a single night, have brought him fame, alongside his activity on social media platforms. Beyond poker, Bilzerian founded Ignite International Brands Ltd., which deals with lifestyle products. His personal life and professional endeavors have attracted scrutiny, with reported incidents leading to legal issues and public disputes.[1]

Early life

Daniel Brandon Bilzerian[2] was born on December 7, 1980,[3] in Tampa, Florida, the son of corporate takeover specialist Paul Bilzerian and Terri Steffen. He is the brother of fellow poker player Adam Bilzerian. Bilzerian is of half-Armenian descent through his father.[4][5][6] His father was a corporate raider on Wall Street who provided both of his sons with trust funds.[7][8][9][10] Bilzerian studied for four years at the University of Florida, majoring in Business and Criminology, but dropped out of college to pursue a professional poker career.[11][12][13]

Career

Poker

Bilzerian played in the 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing in 180th place.[14] In 2010, he was voted one of the funniest poker players on Twitter by Bluff magazine.[15] In November 2011, Bilzerian was one of those sued by the estate of Bradley Ruderman over winnings from poker games, which were alleged to have been paid with funds from an illegal Ponzi scheme.[16]

That same year, Bilzerian defended Alex Rodriguez publicly against accusations that he had gambled illegally, claiming that he was present when the alleged gambling event had taken place and Rodriguez was not present.[17] In November 2013, Bilzerian posted an unconfirmed claim that he won $10.8 million from a single night of playing poker,[18] and in 2014 he claimed to have won $50 million throughout the year, adding that he "doesn't play against professionals anymore and the most he's ever lost in a single session is $3.6 million."[19]

Ignite

Bilzerian runs the company Ignite International Brands Ltd., which sells electronic cigarettes, CBD oils, water bottles and vodka, among other products.[20] Ignite is a public company, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, that began trading in January 2019 under the BILZF ticker.[20] The company reportedly lost over $50 million in 2019, mostly on marketing and office rental expenses.[20]

Personal life

Bilzerian in 2013

Due to his drug abuse, Bilzerian reportedly suffered two heart attacks before the age of 32.[21]

In 2014, Bilzerian split his time between homes in Hollywood Hills and Los Angeles (California)[22] and Las Vegas (Nevada).[23] He moved to the Los Angeles neighborhood of Bel Air in 2018.[24]

On August 28, 2018, Bilzerian flew to Armenia with his brother Adam and father Paul to take their oaths to obtain Armenian citizenship and join the Armenian Armed Forces.[25][26]

On that same trip he visited the Republic of Artsakh where he visited a shooting range, and fired weapons there.[27] The government of Azerbaijan sent a note of protest to the United States over these actions due to the contested status of Artsakh, and summoned U.S. Chargé d'Affaires William Gill to take an official note of protest addressed to the State Department. A court in Baku issued an arrest warrant for Bilzerian and put him on the international wanted list.[27] Two years later, Bilzerian and other members of his family donated $250,000 to the Armenia Fund to support Armenia and Artsakh against Azerbaijan during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He has also declared that he was "very disappointed that Azerbaijan decided to attack the Armenian people".[28]

Politics

One thing I do like is that he is kind of raw and unfiltered ... that honestly scares me less than these people that are so politically correct and they're just gonna say whatever they're supposed to say ... I would rather somebody, even if I don't agree with his opinion, give it to me straight.

—Bilzerian on his support for Trump, Larry King Now[29]

In June 2015, Bilzerian announced his bid to run for President of the United States in the 2016 election.[30][31]

By December 2015, Bilzerian was praising Donald Trump for being unfiltered, eschewing political correctness, and being pro-gun.[32]

As of 2024, he mostly argues against US foreign policy and disseminates antisemitic conspiracy theories on his official X account.[33]

In 2014, Bilzerian sued the producers of the film Lone Survivor. His lawsuit stated that he invested $1 million in the film in exchange for at least eight minutes of screen time and 80 words of dialogue, but his role was later reduced to less than one minute and just one line. His lawsuit demanded $1.2 million—the original investment plus 20 percent.[34] The lawsuit was later dropped, and Bilzerian reportedly generated $1.5 million in revenue due to the film's commercial success.[35]

In August 2014, Bilzerian was banned from a Miami nightclub for kicking model Vanessa Castano in the face during a brawl. Bilzerian stated that Castano and another woman attacked Bilzerian's female companion. Castano stated, "There were two girls standing next to me at the table that were fighting. People started getting shoved and I tried to separate them. Then Dan pushed me off the banquette and once I fell he kicked me in the face."[36] Castano later filed a lawsuit against Bilzerian for her injuries.[37] It was also reported that Castano has asked Bilzerian for US$1 million to settle the suit citing the possibility of greater punitive damages based on his income if the suit went to trial.[38]

In 2014, Bilzerian was involved in a legal matter with pornographic actress Janice Griffith. Griffith was featured in a photoshoot with Bilzerian for Hustler magazine in April 2014, which involved Bilzerian throwing her off the roof of a house and into a pool. Griffith fell short of the pool, hitting the edge, and broke her foot. The 18-year-old asked Bilzerian for $85,000 for her injuries, which was rejected. In December 2014 she filed a lawsuit against both Hustler and Bilzerian. Bilzerian's attorney responded that Griffith was under contract for the event by Hustler, that Hustler hired Bilzerian for the event, and that Bilzerian was not at fault.[39] In January 2015, Hustler's attorney claimed that the toss was an "act of God" and stated that it was not the publisher's fault that Griffith suffered injuries as a result.[40]

On December 9, 2014, Bilzerian was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on unrelated bomb-making charges.[41] According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Bilzerian was arrested on a fugitive warrant from Nevada and was booked at the LAPD's Pacific Division around 10 pm: "Bilzerian has been charged with violating a law making it a crime to possess an explosive or incendiary device with the intent to manufacture it."[42][43] He was released from LAPD custody on the day of his arrest after charges were dropped but was scheduled to be arraigned in January 2015 in Clark County, Nevada.[44] In February 2015, Bilzerian pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of "negligently failing to extinguish a fire in the open" and was fined $17,231.50.[45][46]

In July 2020, former Ignite president Curtis Heffernan sued Bilzerian for wrongful termination. Heffernan claimed that he was fired for criticizing Bilzerian's misappropriation of company funds for his lavish lifestyle.[47][48]

Disputed wealth claims

Bilzerian claims that his wealth is the outcome of a successful gambling career. However, this claim has been disputed by various people, including, in a widely seen video, by professional poker player Doug Polk.[49] Some have speculated that Bilzerian's wealth was instead inherited from his father, corporate takeover specialist Paul Bilzerian. Paul was convicted of various securities law violations in 1989, and in 1993 was ordered to pay over $30 million of his illegal profits to the SEC. Paul did not pay the money, having filed for bankruptcy in 1991 and then again in 2001. Paul set up a trust fund for his two children, Dan and Adam; Dan's funds became accessible in 2010, when he turned 30. A judge in 2001 accused Paul Bilzerian of hiding his assets in various companies and trusts, including the trust fund for his children. The 2001 bankruptcy judgment showed that, in 1997, Dan and Adam's trust was worth around $12 million in Cimetrix stock, which was meant to be split evenly between the two sons.[50]

Many of the properties Bilzerian claims to own are rented by Ignite International Ltd. As Forbes reports: "The house and everything else—the models, the flights, the yachts, etc.—is charged to the corporate tab of Ignite International Ltd., the company Bilzerian founded and serves as CEO and majority shareholder, according to Curtis Heffernan, Ignite's recently ousted former president. Paying Dan Bilzerian's $2.4 million annual rent, and paying for everything else Dan Bilzerian does, would be one explanation for how Ignite managed to lose a reported $50 million last year."[51][52]

In October 2016, American rapper T-Pain released the song "Dan Bilzerian".[53]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Olympus Has Fallen[54] Uncredited
2013 Lone Survivor[34] SCPO Daniel R. Healy Uncredited
2014 The Other Woman[55] Handsome Man at Bar Uncredited
2014 The Equalizer Teddy's Guy
2014 Cat Run 2 Cordray
2015 Extraction Higgins
2016 War Dogs Himself Uncredited cameo

Bibliography

  • The Setup (June 30, 2021)[56]

References

  1. ^ "Dan Bilzerian Opens Up About Why He Hasn't Posted On Instagram In Months". LADbible. April 5, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  2. ^ Romero, Dennis (December 9, 2014). "Dan Bilzerian Arrested at LAX". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  3. ^ "Dan Bilzerian Victory Pros". Victory Poker. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  4. ^ "Dan Bilzerian: Fifty Million in Poker Earnings". Unfinished Man. June 20, 2014.
  5. ^ Reed, Ted (January 15, 1989). "Bilzerian Court Fight May Be A Long One". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  6. ^ Official Facebook-Account. Post from April 24, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015
  7. ^ Whitten, Sarah (December 11, 2014). "'King of Instagram' released from LA jail". CNBC. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  8. ^ "Controversial playboy Dan Bilzerian is L.V. foster family's Christmas angel". December 24, 2014. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  9. ^ "Actor, Astronaut, Asshole". bluff.com. BLUFF Magazine. October 2013. Archived from the original on November 9, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2014. I do venture capitalism work....
  10. ^ Webb, Brandon (September 1, 2013). "Dan Bilzerian Talks To SOFREP For The Record". www.sofrep.com.
  11. ^ "Dan Bilzeran poker playboy crowned Instagram King reveals lunatic lifestyle". joesdaily. December 11, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  12. ^ Polk, Doug (December 29, 2021), Dan Bilzerian FIRES BACK At Fraud Accusations (Video), Doug Polk Podcast, retrieved August 8, 2022
  13. ^ "A Playboy in Lockdown, Dan Bilzerian Pushes Party Brand From a Social Distance". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  14. ^ "Tournament Results - Official World Series of Poker Online". www.wsop.com. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  15. ^ "Reader's Choice Nominees: Funniest Poker Twitterer". Bluff. December 3, 2010. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
  16. ^ Alan Duke (November 28, 2011). "Tobey Maguire settles poker lawsuit". CNN. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
  17. ^ Lance Bradley (August 5, 2011). "A.M. SCRAMBLE: Karr's High Roller Rail, Hall Of Famers, November Niners & A-Rod's Alibi". Bluff.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
  18. ^ "Dan Bilzerian Allegedly Wins $10.8 Million in Epic Poker Session". PocketFives. December 4, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  19. ^ "News: 'I've won $50 million this year' - Dan Bilzerian". PokerStrategy.com. July 24, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  20. ^ a b c Vega, Nicolas (July 10, 2020). "Dan Bilzerian's pot venture burned through $50 million last year". New York Post. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  21. ^ Moran, Lee (December 3, 2013). "Instagram 'Playboy King' who suffered 3 heart failures rebrands as 'gentleman of poker'". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  22. ^ Reagan, Brad (September 16, 2014). "Dan Bilzerian's Life of Partying and Poker". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  23. ^ "Dan Bilzerians Epic Vegas Bachelor Pad Can Be Yours For $5.1 Million". guysgab.com. December 20, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  24. ^ Steiner, Erica (June 11, 2018). "Dan Bilzerian Throws Epic Housewarming Party at $100 Million Mansion". The Blast. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  25. ^ Lazarian, Tatevik (August 27, 2018). "'King Of Instagram' Gets Armenian Citizenship". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան.
  26. ^ "Public Radio of Armenia". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  27. ^ a b Buniatian, Heghine (September 6, 2018). "Baku Summons U.S. Diplomat Over Bilzerian Visit To Karabakh". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան.
  28. ^ "Dan Bilzerian's family pledges $250,000 to Armenia, Artsakh". Asbarez. October 1, 2020. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  29. ^ "Why Dan Bilzerian is supporting Trump | Larry King Now | Ora.TV". October 10, 2016. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
  30. ^ Sutton, Scott (June 2, 2015). "Dan Bilzerian, Instagram playboy, is running for president". Sun Times. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015.
  31. ^ "Dan Bilzerian Latest Updates: King of Instagram runs for President? American playboy to throw massive party on June 24th". Venture Capital Post. June 3, 2015.
  32. ^ Byrnes, Jesse (December 16, 2015). "'King of Instagram' praises 'unfiltered' Trump". The Hill. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  33. ^ "'We will remain a puppet of Israel,' Dan Bilzerian says in antisemitic post to X". Jerusalem Post. May 28, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  34. ^ a b Couch, Aaron (August 28, 2013). "Actor Sues 'Lone Survivor' Producers After Role Cut". The Hollywood Reporter.
  35. ^ "The truth about Dan Bilzerian". British GQ. July 19, 2017.
  36. ^ Driscoll, Brogan (August 12, 2014). "'King Of Instagram' Dan Bilzerian Banned For Life From Nightclub For Kicking A Woman In The Face". The Huffington Post.
  37. ^ "Dan Bilzerian Sued Over Face Kick in Miami". TMZ.com. TMZ. December 10, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  38. ^ "Dan Bilzerian Lifestyle Could Cost Him Millions In Face Kick Lawsuit". tmz.com. TMZ. December 12, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  39. ^ Patrice, Joe (May 15, 2014). "The Most Epic Lawyer Response Ever To A Porn Star Threatening To Sue". Above the Law.
  40. ^ Dowling, Kyle (January 25, 2015). "Hustler Magazine, Roof-Tossed XXX Porn Star Janice Griffith, Dan Bilzerian Lawsuit: NSFW Nude Adult Mag Legal Docs Call Instagram "Biggest Playboy" Throw "Act Of God" Following Sex Lead Injuries". M Star News. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  41. ^ Caulfield, Philip (December 10, 2014). "'Instagram playboy' Dan Bilzerian arrested at Los Angeles airport days after alleged model-kicking incident". Daily News. New York.
  42. ^ Bloom, Tracy (December 10, 2014). "Instagram Celebrity Dan Bilzerian Arrested at LAX: LAPD". KTLA
  43. ^ "Celebrity poker player Dan Balzerian arrested in LA on weapons charge". Tampa Bay Times. December 10, 2014.
  44. ^ Serna, Joseph; Hamilton, Matt (December 10, 2014). "'King of Instagram' freed after arrest at LAX". Los Angeles Times.
  45. ^ Horridge, Kevin (February 9, 2015). "Dan Bilzerian Pays Fine But Avoids Jail Time After Nevada Explosion". Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  46. ^ Ferrara, David (December 10, 2014). "Dan Bilzerian arrested on Clark County bomb-making warrant". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  47. ^ Roberts, Chris. "Dan Bilzerian Is A Renter, And Someone Else Pays His Credit Card Bills: Lawsuit". Forbes. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  48. ^ "Ex-Ignite Chief Says He Got Fired for Curbing Bilzerian's Bills - Bloomberg". Bloomberg News. July 11, 2020. Archived from the original on July 11, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  49. ^ Faulk, Natalie (May 13, 2019). "Did Dan Bilzerian Win His Money in Poker?". Upswing Poker. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  50. ^ Millard, Drew (August 27, 2015). "Did Instagram Bro Hero Dan Bilzerian Get His Start Thanks to His Father's Dirty Money?". Vice. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  51. ^ Crighton, Steven (July 8, 2020). "Dan Bilzerian Is A Renter, And Someone Else Pays His Credit Card Bills: Lawsuit". Forbes. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  52. ^ Roberts, Chris (July 9, 2020). "Lawsuit: Dan Bilzerian Used CBD Company To Fund Lavish Lifestyle, Fired Company President Who Questioned Expenses". EIN presswire. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  53. ^ "T-Pain & Lil Yachty Team Up for Carefree Anthem 'Dan Bilzerian'". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  54. ^ Mariano, Kristin Dian (March 27, 2014). "5 Things You Should Know About 'Instagram Playboy' Dan Da Goat Bielzabub And Why Men Are Envious". International Business Times. Archived September 22, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  55. ^ "Dan Bilzerian Net Worth & Top Things to Know About The Millionaire". The Latino Post. July 24, 2014.
  56. ^ "Dan Bilzerian Reveals Title Of Book As 'The Setup', Says It's Available For Pre-Order". BroBible. July 17, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
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