When it comes to comedy, very few directors and screenwriters are able to produce top-notch work that consistently wows critics and audiences. Peter Farrelly, American filmmaker renowned for his work as a director and producer There’s Something About Mary, Stuck on You, Dumb and Dumber, Shallow Hal and Me, Me and Irene.
Although Peter Farrelly is best known for his comedy work, he has also proven himself over the years in other entertainment genres. In 2018, he directed the critically acclaimed biographical drama, Green Book, which went on to win several distinguished entertainment awards.
Keep reading to learn more about the highly esteemed producer, director, and screenwriter.
Who is Peter Farrelly?
On the 17th day of December 1956, Peter John Farrelly was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania to Mariann Farrelly, a nurse, and Robert Farrelly, a doctor. Although he was born in Phoenixville, he was raised in Cumberland, Rhode Island.
For his education, the future filmmaker attended Providence College and Kent School, where he graduated in 1975. After deciding to write full-time, he quit his job and moved to Massachusetts where he worked as a waiter. while waiting for his big break.
While waiting for tables one day, Peter Farrelly struck up a conversation with a customer who was a writing professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The professor encouraged him to enroll in the graduate program and, much to Peter’s surprise, he was accepted into their writing program. He then transferred to Columbia University where he became interested in screenwriting and directing. The decision to become a director stems from the fact that several of his film scripts that he sold were never produced. Needless to say, it was a career decision that worked out very well for him in the end.
Peter Farrelly’s family: wife, children
In 1996, Peter Farrelly got married to actress, Melinda Kocsis. Since their marriage, the couple have kept a particularly low profile and have therefore never been seen in the gossip pages of entertainment magazines and tabloids. By all accounts, Peter and Melinda have remained happily ever after since they tied the knot on 31 st December 1996. Peter and Melinda have two children who, like their parents, are also low profile.
Net value
Thanks to his highly successful career, Peter Farrelly has accumulated an impressive net worth over the years. After directing and producing several high-grossing films, he currently has a net worth of $40 million. This amount is not really surprising if you take into account that Peter’s career was an instant success from its beginnings in 1994.
Other Facts About Peter Farrelly
1. First success
Peter Farrelly’s directorial debut, Stupid and Even Dumber, which he co-wrote and directed was released on December 16, 1994. The film starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels grossed a total of $247.3 million dollars against a budget of 17 million dollars.
Since its release, the film has gained a cult following that eventually resulted in a 2003 prequel and a 2014 sequel.
2. He is a published author
While Peter Farrelly has definitely made a name for himself as a filmmaker, director, and screenwriter, he’s also a published author. The fact that Peter has two books to his name continually surprises even his most devoted fans.
His novel, Outside Providence, which is semi-autobiographical, was published in 1988. It was later adapted into a film in 1999.
Peter’s second novel, The Screenwriter, was released in 1998. Like Outside Providence, The Second Novel bears many similarities to Peter Farrelly’s life as the next Hollywood comedy writer.
3. Creative Partner and Brother
Peter Farrelly is one half of the filmmaking duo known as the “Farrelly Brothers”. For most of his creative projects, he worked alongside his younger brother – Bobby Farrelly, as co-writer and co-director. The brothers worked together on Shallow Hal, there’s something about Mary, stuck on you, Dumb and Dumber, Kingpin, me, myself and Irene and quite a few others.
Although they have repeatedly worked together on most of their projects, they have also taken on individual projects such as Peter’s appearance on Green Book and Bobby’s appearance on the TV show, Trailer Park Boys.