Joseph Merhi Net Worth: How Rich is the Actor Actually?

Joseph Merhi is a Syria-born American independent movie director and producer. He directed and produced many low-cost action and martial arts movies during 80/the 90s. As of 2023, Joseph Merhi net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.

Who is Joseph Merhi?

Joseph Merhi is an Indie film director and producer from Syria. He founded the production company, City Lights along with fellow director, Richard Pepin in 1984. Merhi owned several pizzerias in Las Vegas before entering the movie industry. To date, he has produced over 100 movies and directed 32 movies.

Merhi was born in Syria on October 23, 1953. Not much is discovered about his early life, upbringing, and parents. He has also not provided any details regarding his education. However, it is known that he has earned a high school diploma.

Joseph Merhi Net Worth & Career

Joseph Merhi initially owned a chain of pizzerias in Las Vegas before taking a step into the world of cinema. In 1986, he started his career as a director and producer. He was only 12 when his life changed after he watched the legendary actor, Humphrey Bogart for the first time. At that moment, he decided that he would be a filmmaker.

After a few years, he moved to the United States with only 400 dollars in his pocket. He also knew the basic English language at that time. Joseph eventually moved to Florida in 1972 and served at Chaparral Steakhouse. Initially, he worked as a dishwasher and busboy. Then, he climbed up to better posts as a waiter, and cook and then became a manager.

Merhi started his own restaurant called Pizza N Pizza in Las Vegas in 1997. Then, he followed up by opening five restaurants serving high-quality pizza at low prices. Later, he sold his restaurants to pursue a career in the filmmaking business. Merhi made his first movie with $50,000 in 1985. Then, he founded a movie production company along with producer Ronald L. Gilchrist, which was called City Lights.

Merhi decided to start his own business in 1989 and founded PM Entertainment Group with the Canadian director and producer, Richard Pepin. In the late 1980/90s, he directed and produced many low-cost action and martial arts movies, which were mainly broadcast on TV or distributed for the circuit.

Joseph has worked as a producer and director with many known actors including Michael Madsen, Tom Sizemore, Lorenzo Lamas, Jill Hennessy, and many others. As he specialized in the genre of action movies, he often collaborated with many martial art artists including Gary Daniels and Jeff Wincott. As of now, he has produced more than 100 movies and TV series.

Merhi’s PM Entertainment Group was absorbed by The Harvey Entertainment Group in 2000. Then, it was purchased by the film company, Echo Bridge Home Entertainment. As a director, his last movie was Executive Target, released in 1997. Merhi shifted from director to producer and executive producer of straight-to-DVD movies after directing his last movie.

However, he returned as director in the movie titled Oranges in 2008 after 10 years of his directorial venture. At the present time, he is actively involved in real estate projects and a wide variety of businesses. He has developed luxurious single-family houses, hotels, apartment complexes, restaurants, comedy clubs retail stores, and production studios.

Merhi has not been involved as a producer since his last produced movie titled Impulse in 2008. His other movie credits as an executive producer and producer include The Anna Nicole Smith Story, Back By Midnight, The Whole Ten Yards, Spartan, The Stray, Epicenter, Hot Boyz, No Tomorrow, and many others. 

Joseph Merhi’s Wife & Personal Life

Joseph Merhi is a married man and has three kids from his conjugal life. However, he has not provided any details about his marriage life. As per sources, he currently resides in Los Angeles alongside his better half and three kids.

Joseph Merhi Net Worth

Joseph Merhi has earned an estimated net worth of around $5 million as of 2023. He has most probably accumulated huge amount by producing over 100 movies. In addition to that, he is also generating hefty sums as an investor in luxurious real estate projects.