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Top 10 Interesting Facts about Oren Peli

Photo of Oren Peli.

Oren Peli is an Israeli film director, producer and screenwriter, born on 21st January 1970 in Ramat Gan Israel.

He was born to a Jewish family. At the age of 19, he moved to the United States in search of greener pastures.

He is famously known for directing the 2007 film Paranormal Activity. 

Let’s take a look at some of the top interesting facts about him;

1. His First Movie was Inspired by his Move to his First House Alone

His first film Paranormal Activity was inspired by Peli moving into his first house alone and without family nearby.

According to Peli, he heard some creaks and knocks in the night, which scared him a lot but then an idea came to him.

This had laid the groundwork for a film about a family running around with cameras trying to catch what was going on in the house.

After the success of Paranormal Activity, Peli worked with James Wan and Leigh Whannell to develop Insidiously.

Peli has since produced and wrote the 2012 horror film Chernobyl Diaries, based on the Chornobyl disaster.

It is also based on his story The Diary of Lawson Oxford. The film is about a group of friends who we on vacation in Europe. 

They however find themselves stranded in the abandoned city of Prypiat, Ukraine only to discover that they are not alone.

2. He began his Career as a Computer Software Programmer

Peli began his career as a computer software programmer and became renowned for his part in developing Photon Paint. 

Photon Paint is a bitmap graphics program for the Amiga.

He also developed the networking code for the home console versions of Mortal Kombat 3, during his work at Sculptured Software. 

He has also developed codes for other video games including Night Terrors and NFL Extreme.

3. His Net Worth is around $30 Million. 

His net worth is around $30 million much of which he received from his Paranormal Activity movie franchise. 

The original Paranormal Activity was made with a $15,000 budget. The movie went on to gross $193 million worldwide.

To date, the Paranormal franchise has generated more than $400 million worldwide.

His Insidious movie franchise has generated more than $200 million worldwide. 

4. He is Married to Staci Peli

Oren Peli is currently married to his long-time girlfriend Staci peli. They however don’t have children of their own. 

The Israeli Director was born in Israel on January 21, 1970. Oren is currently 52 years old.

According to CelebsCouples, Oren Peli had at least 1 relationship previously. The couple is happily married. 

The two have been married for more than 10 years now, and seem to be loving each other more and more as days go by. 

5. His Movie Paranormal Activity was Shot in his House 

To save money, first-time filmmaker Oren Peli shot the low-budget “Paranormal Activity” in his own four-bedroom home in Rancho Peñasquitos. 

He was immediately tagged as an important new director when Paranormal Activity grossed $193 million.

He became an overnight sensation. But in the years that followed, he’s only directed one other movie.

The 2015’s immediately forgotten and badly reviewed Area 51.

These days, his only film involvement seems to be remaining on to produce entries in the Insidious series, which he’s been attached to since the beginning.

6. He made a Movie using a $15000 Budget

Known for his involvement in the movies Paranormal Activity 1-3, Insidious, Area 51 and more.

The Paranormal franchise was inspired by the film The Blair Witch Project.

The original Paranormal Activity was made with a $15,000 budget.

Paranormal Activity was advertised using Viral marketing was used in conjunction with social media to gain notoriety.

Viral marketing of the film also included an interactive website, where in one section viewers could type in one word describing the movie.

The movie ended up grossing $193 million, a fee which most movies have struggled to get, even with big budgets.  

7. He also Studied Animation and Grew Interested in Filmmaking

A student of computer engineering, he also studied animations and grew interested in filmmaking.

He had used many different but small recording cameras to project the reality of his characters and the fear they have faced in the film. 

After moving to the USA at the age of 19, he settled down and started working on making movies, writing scripts and directing them.

8. He was Nominated for the Independent Spirit Award

For his work and dedication to movies, he was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature (2010).

Some of his other notable movies are The Bay and The Lords of Salem. 

The Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension and Paranormal Activity 5.

He measures about 5 feet and 10 inches in height; and has an athletically built body with short brown hair. 

For most of his movies, they have worked with Mike Perry who had success with paranormal activity. 

He is currently not working on any new movie after going for a break. 

9. He is a citizen of both Israel and the USA

He was born in Israel but his work land is the US. As a result, he has got citizenship in both countries and belongs to the white ethnicity.

Born in Ramat Gan, Israel he has Israeli citizenship by birth. 

He grew up in his home country until he finished schooling before he moved to the US. 

He started acting at an early age. Being born on 23rd March 1970, Oren Peli is now 52 years old.

Having stayed in the USA for more than 20 years, he currently has American citizenship. 

10. His Ability to Work on a Low Budget Earned Him a Name

The ability to work on a very low budget earned him a name across the industry. 

He became a renowned low-budget maestro after his movie  Paranormal Activity become the year’s hottest horror hit.

He had only used the $15000 budget but became a hit and grossed over $193 million in income. 

Though his other works are not as successful as the paranormal activity, he is still a man most people would want to work with. 

He has been named among the richest people from Israel with a net worth of around $21 million. 

His other famous movie is the “River”.