- Born
- Height5′ 8½″ (1.74 m)
- Born in the Bronx, Ferrara started making amateur films on Super 8 in his teens before making his debut with violent exploitation films such as 'Driller Killer' and 'Ms.45'. Good reviews for the latter helped create his cult reputation, leading to larger budgets, studio funding and 'name' actors (Christopher Walken, Harvey Keitel), but he still likes taking his camera out onto the meanest streets of New York, as the ultra-cheap, highly controversial 'Bad Lieutenant' demonstrates.- IMDb mini biography by: Michael Brooke <michael@everyman.demon.co.uk>
- SpousesPauline LaMonde (divorced)Cristina Chiriac(? - present) (1 child)
- ChildrenEndira FerraraLucy Ferrara
- ParentsAlfred J. Ferrara
- Often features characters caught in self-destructive patterns (King of New York, Bad Lieutenant)
- Frequent use of religious imagery
- His characters are often deeply flawed individuals trying to survive in a bleak world.
- Frequently sets his films in New York City
- Is a close friend of fellow director Michael Mann. Ferrara directed episodes for Mann's TV shows Miami Vice (1984) and Crime Story (1986). Ferrara also makes private screenings of his films to Mann who, in exchange, gives him tips and advices on editing.
- Moved to Rome, Italy, after the September 11 attacks and has lived there since.
- Is of Irish and Italian descent.
- Grew up in Peekskill, NY.
- Has two adopted daughters.
- As barbaric as we are, it's a miracle we haven't blown ourselves off the face of the earth so far.
- Life is what happens when you're doing other things, right?
- I'm about my characters.
- That's the thing about making a movie: You never finish editing. They just take it away from you.
- A script is not a piece of literature, it's a process.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content