Jordan Belfort Shopping Reality Show, Won’t Make a Dime Off of Scorsese’s ‘Wolf of Wall Street’
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Jordan Belfort has already been immortalized on the big screen thanks to Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street,” but now the former investment banker/scammer wants to put his current life on display. He also plans on turning over his cut of the “Wolf” movie profits to the victims of his scams.
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie, is shopping a reality TV show that would have the now 51-year-old head an “uplifting show” where he “step[s] in to help others who, like him, have hit rock bottom but still hold out some hope for redemption.”
Belfort’s story of Wall Street excess — and ultimate downfall after cheating his clients — told in his 2007 memoir caught the attention of Electus, the studio behind reality series including “Fashion Star” and “Mob Wives,” which reached out to him to develop a concept for a show. Electus CEO Chris Grant told THR that several pitch meetings have already taken place, with one network describing Belfort as “TV gold.”
Should it get picked up, the show would no doubt help supplement the still-large lifestyle of Belfort, who currently enjoys luxuries like a mini-mansion in Manhattan Beach, California, and a Mercedes, according to a profile in New York magazine. But Belfort claims that that luxury is all on the up-and-up — he has a successful second career as a motivational speaker, commanding fees in the five figures — and he won’t accept a dime of the profits from his book or Scorsese’s film. He wrote in a recent Facebook post that he’s turning over 100 percent of the proceeds from that media to the government to help repay victims of his financial scams.
“This should amount to countless millions of dollars and hopefully be more than enough to pay back anyone who is still out there,” Belfort wrote. ” … I am not making any royalties off the film or the books, and I am totally content with that. My income comes from new life, which is far better than my old one.”
[via The Hollywood Reporter, h/t Vanity Fair]
Gallery | ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Premiere Photos
“The Wolf Of Wall Street” New York Premiere – Inside Arrivals
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Actor Leonardo DiCaprio attends the “The Wolf Of Wall Street” premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre on December 17, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
“The Wolf Of Wall Street” New York Premiere – Inside Arrivals
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Actor Leonardo DiCaprio attends the “The Wolf Of Wall Street” premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre on December 17, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
“The Wolf Of Wall Street” New York Premiere – Outside Arrivals
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 17: James Lipton attends the “The Wolf Of Wall Street” premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on December 17, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)
“The Wolf Of Wall Street” New York Premiere – Outside Arrivals
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Kyle Chandler attends the “The Wolf Of Wall Street” premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on December 17, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)
“The Wolf Of Wall Street” New York Premiere – Outside Arrivals
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Jon Favreau attends the “The Wolf Of Wall Street” premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on December 17, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)
“The Wolf Of Wall Street” New York Premiere – Outside Arrivals
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Kyle Chandler attends the “The Wolf Of Wall Street” premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on December 17, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)
Giorgio Armani Presents: The Wolf Of Wall Street World Premiere
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Camila Alves and Matthew McConaughey attends Giorgio Armani Presents: “The Wolf Of Wall Street” world premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre on December 17, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Giorgio Armani)
Giorgio Armani Presents: The Wolf Of Wall Street World Premiere
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Camila Alves and Matthew McConaughey attend Giorgio Armani Presents: “The Wolf Of Wall Street” world premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre on December 17, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Giorgio Armani)
Giorgio Armani Presents: The Wolf Of Wall Street World Premiere
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Jonah Hill attends Giorgio Armani Presents: “The Wolf Of Wall Street” world premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre on December 17, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Giorgio Armani)
“The Wolf Of Wall Street” New York Premiere – Outside Arrivals
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Director Martin Scorsese attends the “The Wolf Of Wall Street” premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on December 17, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)
“The Wolf Of Wall Street” New York Premiere – Outside Arrivals
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Margot Robbie attends the “The Wolf Of Wall Street” premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on December 17, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)
“The Wolf Of Wall Street” New York Premiere – Outside Arrivals
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Margot Robbie attends the “The Wolf Of Wall Street” premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on December 17, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)
“The Wolf Of Wall Street” New York Premiere – Outside Arrivals
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Leonardo DiCaprio attends the “The Wolf Of Wall Street” premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on December 17, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)
