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Dan Bilzerian

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Dan Bilzerian
Bilzerian in 2013
Born
Dan Brandon Bilzerian

(1980-12-07) December 7, 1980 (age 43)
Tampa, Florida, United States
Other names
CitizenshipUnited States (1980–present)
Armenia (2018–present)
Alma materUniversity of Florida
Partner(s)Alana Kari (2012–2013)
Andreea Bolbea (2013–2014)
Parent(s)Paul Bilzerian
Terri Steffen
RelativesAdam Bilzerian (brother)
Websitedanbilzerian.com

Dan Brandon Bilzerian[7] (Armenian: Տան Պիլզերեան, born December 7, 1980)[8] is an Armenian-American Internet personality and gambler who is mostly known for his lavish lifestyle.[9][10][11][12]

Early life

Bilzerian was born in Tampa, Florida, the son of corporate takeover specialist Paul Bilzerian and Terri Steffen. He is the brother of fellow poker player Adam Bilzerian. He is of Armenian descent through his father[13][14] and has said that half of the Bilzerian family was killed during the Armenian Genocide.[15] His father was a corporate raider on Wall Street who set up trust funds for both of his sons.[16][17][18] Bilzerian entered the Navy SEAL training program in 2000; however, after several attempts, he did not graduate. He was reportedly dropped from the program for a "safety violation on the shooting range."[19] Bilzerian attended Tampa Preparatory school and later enrolled at the University of Florida, majoring in Business and Criminology.[20]

Poker career

Bilzerian played in the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing in 180th place.[21] In 2010, he was voted one of the funniest poker players on Twitter by Bluff Magazine.[22] In November 2011, Bilzerian, along with ten others including actors Tobey Maguire, Nick Cassavetes, and Gabe Kaplan, were asked to pay back winnings that they had won in poker games against Ponzi scheme operator Bradley Ruderman after Ruderman was sentenced to prison, to help pay back some of the victims Ruderman had stolen from over his criminal career.[23] 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.[24] In November 2013, Bilzerian posted an unconfirmed claim that he won $10.8 million from a single night of playing poker,[25] 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."[26]

Personal life

Bilzerian splits his time between homes in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California[2][27] and Las Vegas, Nevada.[28] He moved to Bel Air, Los Angeles from Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles.[29]

On March 9, 2011, Bilzerian raced and beat Tom Goldstein for a wager of $385,000 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with Bilzerian racing a 1967 AC Cobra and Goldstein behind the wheel of a Ferrari 458 Italia.[30]

Because of his lavish lifestyle and heavy drug abuse, Bilzerian reportedly suffered three heart attacks before the age of 32.[31]

In 2014, Bilzerian sued the producers of the film Lone Survivor. His lawsuit states that although he loaned the production of that film $1 million in exchange for a minimum of eight minutes of screen time and 80 words of dialogue, his role was reduced to less than one minute and has just one line. His lawsuit demanded $1.2 million (the original loan amount plus a 20 percent penalty).[32][needs update]

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."[33] Castano later filed a lawsuit against Bilzerian for her injuries.[34] 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.[35]

In December 2014, Bilzerian was embroiled in a legal matter with pornographic actress Janice Griffith, whom he threw off the roof of a house and into a pool as part of a photoshoot for Hustler magazine in April 2014. She fell short of the pool, hitting the edge, and broke her foot. The 18-year-old Griffith asked Bilzerian for $85,000 for her injuries, which was rejected. She then filed a lawsuit against both Hustler and Bilzerian, to which 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.[36] 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.[37]

On December 9, 2014, Bilzerian was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on unrelated bomb-making charges.[38] 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."[39][40] 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.[41] 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.[42][43]

In June 2015, Bilzerian announced his bid to run for the President of the United States in the 2016 election.[44][45] He stopped his run for presidency in December 2015.[46]

In October 2016, American R&B singer T-Pain released a song named after Dan Bilzerian.[47]

On August 28, 2018, Bilzerian flew to Armenia with his brother Adam and father Paul in order to take their oaths to obtain Armenian citizenship and join the Armenian Armed Forces.[48][49]

Las Vegas shooting

On October 1, 2017, Bilzerian was present at the Las Vegas shooting and filmed himself multiple times that evening, posting his videos to Instagram. In the first, he described the shooting and was fleeing to safety; in the second, he stated that "had to go grab a gun. I'm f---ing headed back." In his final two videos, he was heading home, stating "I don't think there's much I can do."[50]

There was media debate over his decisions that night: some praised his bravery for going back, others criticized him for running away and filming.[51] In particular, Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer stated that his actions were "disgusting" and criticized his "so so tough" persona.[52] Later, other videos of him that night appeared. One showed him searching a police car and another showed him running back towards the shooter before asking police for a gun and being refused one.[53]

Filmography

References

  1. ^ Levinson, Sean (March 28, 2014). "All In: Dan 'Blitz' Bilzerian, The Man With The Epic Instagram, Shows What The High Life Is Like (Video)". elitedaily.com. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Collins, Laura (December 11, 2013). "EXCLUSIVE - Sex, guns, cocaine-induced heart attacks and a pet Bengal tiger biting a party girl's breast: The $100m poker playboy 'Instagram King' opens his heart and home to reveal what drives his 'lunatic lifestyle'". Daily Mail. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  3. ^ "Wes challenges Instagram 'king' Dan Bilzerian with wife Rosanna: 'Do you have a Miss World in your pool?'". Irish Independent. June 28, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  4. ^ Fleishman, Cooper (December 2, 2013). "The dangerous life of Instagram's playboy king". The Daily Dot. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  5. ^ Rhoades, Logan (March 21, 2014). "This Millionaire Playboy Is The Most Interesting Man On Instagram". BuzzFeed. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  6. ^ "Profile: Dan Bilzerian". TheRichest. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  7. ^ Romero, Dennis (December 9, 2014). "Dan Bilzerian Arrested at LAX". LA Weekly. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  8. ^ "Dan Bilzerian Victory Pros". Victory Poker. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "Ladies, Guns, And Cars: The Life Of The World's Biggest Millionaire Playboy". The Daily Caller. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  10. ^ "Las Vegas Review-Journal". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  11. ^ Whitten, Sarah (December 10, 2014). "'King of Instagram' held without bail in LA". Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  12. ^ Lee, Chris (August 8, 2014). "DJ Steve Aoki balances decadent party image with business dreams". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 2014. He ordered his friend, the professional poker player/bon vivant Dan Bilzerian....
  13. ^ "Dan Bilzerian: Fifty Million in Poker Earnings". Unfinished Man. June 20, 2014.
  14. ^ Reed, Ted (January 15, 1989). "Bilzerian Court Fight May Be A Long One". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  15. ^ Official Facebook-Account. Post from April 24, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015
  16. ^ Whitten, Sarah (December 11, 2014). "'King of Instagram' released from LA jail". CNBC. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  17. ^ "Controversial playboy Dan Bilzerian is L.V. foster family's Christmas angel". December 24, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  18. ^ "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.... {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ Webb, Brandon (September 1, 2013)."Dan Bilzerian Talks To SOFREP For The Record". SOFREP.
  20. ^ "Dan Bilzeran poker playboy crowned Instagram King reveals lunatic lifestyle". joesdaily. December 11, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ "Tournament Results - Official World Series of Poker Online". www.wsop.com. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  22. ^ "Reader's Choice Nominees: Funniest Poker Twitterer". Bluff. December 3, 2010. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Alan Duke (November 28, 2011). "Tobey Maguire settles poker lawsuit". CNN. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
  24. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Dan Bilzerian Allegedly Wins $10.8 Million in Epic Poker Session". PocketFives. December 4, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  26. ^ "News: 'I've won $50 million this year' - Dan Bilzerian". PokerStrategy.com. July 24, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  27. ^ Reagan, Brad (September 16, 2014). "Dan Bilzerian's Life of Partying and Poker". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  28. ^ "Ascend Web Inquiry Summary Page". trweb.co.clark.nv.us. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  29. ^ Steiner, Erica. "Dan Bilzerian Throws Epic Housewarming Party at $100 Million Mansion". The Blast. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  30. ^ "Ferrari 458 Challenge 1967 Shelby Cobra: $ 400,000 up for grabs". Nano Press Motori. March 22, 2011. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ 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. Dan Bilzerian, who is said to be worth more than $100 million, has built a reputation — thanks to his Instagram feed — of living a lavish lifestyle.
  32. ^ a b Couch, Aaron (August 28, 2013). "Actor Sues 'Lone Survivor' Producers After Role Cut". The Hollywood Reporter.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ "Dan Bilzerian Sued Over Face Kick in Miami". TMZ.com. TMZ. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  35. ^ "Dan Bilzerian Lifestyle Could Cost Him Millions In Face Kick Lawsuit". tmz.com. TMZ. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  36. ^ Patrice, Joe (May 15, 2014). "The Most Epic Lawyer Response Ever To A Porn Star Threatening To Sue". Above the Law.
  37. ^ 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. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ Caulfield, Philip (December 10, 2014). "'Instagram playboy' Dan Bilzerian arrested at Los Angeles airport days after alleged model-kicking incident". Daily News. New York.
  39. ^ Bloom, Tracy (December 10, 2014). "Instagram Celebrity Dan Bilzerian Arrested at LAX: LAPD". KTLA
  40. ^ "Celebrity poker player Dan Balzerian arrested in LA on weapons charge". Tampa Bay Times. December 10, 2014.
  41. ^ Serna, Joseph; Hamilton, Matt (December 10, 2014). "'King of Instagram' freed after arrest at LAX". Los Angeles Times.
  42. ^ Horridge, Kevin (February 9, 2015). "Dan Bilzerian Pays Fine But Avoids Jail Time After Nevada Explosion". Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  43. ^ FERRARA, DAVID (December 10, 2014). "Dan Bilzerian arrested on Clark County bomb-making warrant". LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  44. ^ Sutton, Scott (June 2, 2015). "Dan Bilzerian, Instagram playboy, is running for president". Sun Times. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  45. ^ "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.
  46. ^ Mulshine, Molly (December 16, 2015). "Dan Bilzerian hangs out with Donald Trump". Businessinsider.
  47. ^ "T-Pain & Lil Yachty Team Up for Carefree Anthem 'Dan Bilzerian'". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  48. ^ https://www.azatutyun.am/a/29455833.html
  49. ^ http://www.armradio.am/en/2018/08/27/dan-bilzerian-registers-with-armenian-armed-forces/
  50. ^ "An Instagram star shared a video with his 23 million followers after being caught up in the Las Vegas shooting". Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  51. ^ "Analysis - What a macho, gun-packing Instagram star did when he was caught in the Las Vegas shooting". Washington Post. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  52. ^ "Medal of Honor Recipient Dakota Meyer Slams Dan Bilzerian For His 'Disgusting' Las Vegas Shooting Snapchat Video". Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  53. ^ "Dan Bilzerian Searched Police Truck Amid Vegas Shooter's Gunfire".
  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.
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