Phil Falcone
From humble beginnings in Brooklyn to a celebrated career in filmmaking.
1957–1970
Brooklyn Beginnings
Phil Falcone was born on August 15, 1957, in Brooklyn, NY, as the fourth of seven children in a loving Italian-American family. Growing up in a large household presented challenges, but his parents, Joseph and Marie Falcone, emphasized strong family bonds and instilled values of hard work and determination. Inspired by screen legends like John Wayne and Kirk Douglas, Phil developed a passion for film at a young age. By 13, he entered the workforce, showing early signs of the ambition that would later define his career.
1970–2000
From the Floor Up
While Phil’s childhood dream of acting wasn’t immediately realized, his entrepreneurial spirit and love for family continued to flourish. After marrying Lisa, Phil focused on creating a strong family foundation of his own, raising three children: Joseph, LisaMarie, and Samantha. Turning his attention to finance, Phil launched a successful brokerage firm at the New York Mercantile Exchange, employing 20 associates. His achievements on the floor at Wall Street eventually gave him the freedom to pursue his passion for filmmaking.
2015
Directorial Debut
In 2015, Phil made his directorial debut with Joe’s War, a poignant film he co-wrote and produced to shed light on the struggles veterans face after returning home. Featuring stars like Armand Assante, Ed Asner, and Tom Sizemore, the project marked Phil’s official transition into the entertainment industry. During the research for this film, Phil became passionate about seeking opportunities to help veterans in need, which has become a foundational pillar in how he gives back to the country he loves.
2016-2018
Getting Terrified
While working on Joe’s War, Phil met Damien Leone, forming a partnership that would eventually bring the Terrifier franchise to life. The duo collaborated on everything from practical effects to casting. Despite challenges like equipment breakdowns and other unexpected delays, the film was completed and became a cult hit. Registered with the Library of Congress in 2017, Terrifier gained distribution through Epic Pictures and achieved streaming success on Netflix, where it became the #1 horror film for over a month.
2019–2022
Global Success
Building on the success of Terrifier, Phil and Damien began work on Terrifier 2 in 2019, with much of the filming taking place in Phil and Lisa’s garage in Upstate NY. Despite setbacks from the pandemic, the team completed the film on a modest budget of $250K and secured global distribution through The Coven. Initially slated for a limited theatrical release in October 2022, the passionate fanbase filled theaters, prompting additional showings and creating a snowball effect that quickly led to a global box office total of over $15M, solidifying its status as a horror phenomenon.
2024
Record Breaking
In 2024, Terrifier 3 marked another milestone in Phil’s career as he continued to play a pivotal role in the franchise as head producer. The film cemented his reputation as a driving force in the horror genre and broke records as the top grossing unrated film of all time. With five feature films under his belt (Joe’s War, Terrifier, Terrifier 2, Stream, and Terrifier 3), and projects like Bloodscent and Terrifier 4 in development, Phil’s legacy in filmmaking reflects his unwavering passion, creative vision, and the values instilled in him by his family.