Alki David, a multifaceted businessman, entrepreneur, filmmaker, and actor, has a net worth of $50 million. Born in May 1968 in Lagos, Nigeria, the 56-year-old has built a varied career spanning multiple industries. Despite his entrepreneurial successes, David’s life has been marred by numerous legal issues, painting a complex picture of his rise and fall in the public eye.
Early Life and Educational Background
Alkiviades David hails from a prominent trading and shipping family of Greek-Cypriot descent. His family’s business, the Leventis-David Group, owns Coca-Cola bottling plants in multiple countries. This afforded him a cosmopolitan upbringing, with his childhood spent across various European countries. David attended high school in Switzerland before pursuing higher education at Bennington College in Vermont and the Royal College of Art in London.
Business Ventures and Entrepreneurship
David’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1998 when he co-founded Independent Models, a London-based modeling agency, alongside Duncan Heath. The agency boasted a prestigious roster, including Danish model Helena Christensen. In 2009, he launched FilmOn, an Internet-based television provider that offers subscription services for remote viewing of local television stations. This venture expanded from his production and international sales company 111 Pictures, co-founded with film producer Elliott Kastner.
David’s innovative streak continued with the creation of BattleCam.com, a peer-to-peer video streaming site featuring pay-per-view tournaments related to MMA, gaming, and comedy. Additionally, in 2011, he launched 9021go.com, a home-shopping site.
Film and Television Career
Alki David has made significant contributions to the film and television industry in various capacities, including as an actor, writer, director, producer, and editor. His film debut came in 2004 with “The Freediver,” a British film he wrote, directed, and starred in. The cast included notable names such as Adam Baldwin, Dominique Swain, and Judd Nelson. That same year, he appeared in an episode of the television drama “The Grid.”
David’s acting career continued with roles in the film “Opa!” and the British spy drama series “Spooks” in 2005. He played Mr. Pappas in an episode of the British series “Hotel Babylon” in 2006 and appeared in the direct-to-DVD action thriller “Flight of Fury” in 2007. His filmography also includes the family comedy “Fishtales,” which he co-directed, co-wrote, edited, and acted in, alongside Billy Zane and Kelly Brook. Other film credits include “The Bank Job” and “Bob Thunder: Internet Assassin.”
On television, David appeared in episodes of British police procedurals such as “Trial & Retribution” and “Waking the Dead” in 2009, further establishing his presence in the entertainment industry.
Former Billionaire Status
For many years, Alki David was referred to as a billionaire by reputable outlets. However, this status was later revealed to be a fabrication. David admitted in a 2021 interview with the Daily Beast that he and a PR person concocted the billionaire persona to boost his profile. The ruse included claims of purchasing the Coventry soccer team in England, which garnered significant media attention. The Sunday Times even included David in its 2007 “Rich List” with a reported net worth of $4 billion, a figure equivalent to over $10 billion today.
David’s financial reality came to light when he confessed to being devoid of cash resources and facing $80 million in legal judgments around the time of the 2021 interview.
Legal Troubles
David’s career has been overshadowed by a series of legal issues. In 2010, major television networks CBS, NBC, ABC, and Fox issued a restraining order against him for unauthorized use of their broadcast signals on FilmOn. He countersued, claiming his service did not violate their copyrights.
More severe legal problems arose in 2019 when David was ordered to pay $11 million in damages to a woman who accused him of sexual assault, comprising $8 million in punitive damages and $3 million in compensatory damages. Additionally, he was fined $100,000 by the SEC for engaging in fraudulent activities related to his Hologram Theatre in Hollywood and was barred from holding office in a publicly traded company for five years.
David has alleged corruption within the California court system and has refused to comply with court-ordered payments and appearances, further complicating his legal battles. Reports indicate that he has been suffering from severe mental health issues due to his legal troubles, with discussions of a possible conservatorship.
Personal Life and Residences
Alki David’s personal life has been turbulent, marked by multiple marriages. He has two sons, Andrew and Alexander, from his first marriage. He was married to Emma McAllister from 2007 to 2009 and later wed swimsuit designer and former model Jennifer Stano in 2011.
In 2010, David purchased a 16,200-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills for $16.5 million, which he sold in January 2017 for $20.4 million. He also maintains residences in Greece, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Conclusion
Alki David’s life and career encapsulate the highs and lows of entrepreneurial success and the personal and legal challenges that can accompany it. From founding innovative companies to navigating significant legal disputes, David’s story is a testament to the complexities of modern celebrity and business.
