Barry Weiss' Net Worth: How Much Is The Storage Wars Star Worth?
Barry Weiss, also known as "The Collector" from the beloved A&E TV series "Storage Wars," became an instant fan favorite after first appearing on the show in 2010. The series, which features other stars like Dave Hester, Darrell Sheets, Brandi Passante, and Jarrod Schultz, follows bidders and potential buyers of abandoned storage units as they seek big-ticket items for decent prices in competitive auctions.
Since the start of the show, the original cast of "Storage Wars" have continued their respective hunting careers, but nonetheless have dealt with some scandals and drama along the way. Though Weiss is one of the most beloved members of the cast, he only appeared on the show for four seasons between 2010 and 2013, and had a brief stint with two spin-off series, but he's been mostly quiet since his departure.
Weiss, who is adored by fans for his quirky personality and unusual taste in antique collectibles, was successful prior to becoming a famous reality TV star and is very comfortable financially, with an estimated net worth of $10 million. We've got the story on his fortune and collecting journey.
His love for collecting started young
While some get into the business of antique collecting later in life, Barry Weiss had a taste for all things vintage and valuable beginning when he was a 15, per his A&E profile. It wasn't until adulthood, and after he retired from his longtime job as a produce wholesaler, that he dedicated his full time and attention to collecting.
Though it is unknown what his collection consisted of as he was growing up, Weiss did say that his job in the produce and wholesale industry gave him the ability to comfortably indulge in his hobby of collecting in his free time, sharing on Wisconsin's Big Cheese 107.9 Radio that he had "been collecting antiques on the side, collectibles, wheelin' and dealin' with kooky, off-the-wall objects. [The business] helped fund my passion for collecting weird stuff," he said. While other "Storage Wars" members may have only started hunting for the profits, it is clear that the hunt of collecting has been a lifelong passion for Weiss.
Prior to Storage Wars, he owned a produce company
While Barry Weiss collected antiques as a hobby over the years, for his main job and source of income, Weiss and his family owned a produce company, called Northern Produce-Mushroom Inc. The company, a produce wholesale distributor in Southern California, was founded in 1938. Through the years, the Weiss brothers continued the business, with Barry working there for over two decades. He told AOL TV, "I was in the produce business for 20‑25 years." Weiss' job consisted of starting at 1 a.m., talking on the telephone with vendors, and working to export goods to clients across the country, per The Lompoc Record.
Regarding the clients Northern Produce-Mushroom Inc. served, Weiss said in an interview with Wisconsin's Big Cheese 107.9 Radio, "In pretty big volume, we provisioned everything from cruise ships, hotels, restaurants." Per unconfirmed reports, the company once had approximately 20 to 49 employees and made nearly $10 to $20 million.
Weiss worked at the company until he retired around 2007. The years with Northern Produce-Mushroom Inc. provided Weiss with a decent financial cushion, and gave him the opportunity to relax, enjoy life, travel the world, and be the "professional slacker" he always aspired to be.
The Collector has made thousands of dollars from storage lockers
During his time on "Storage Wars," which lasted for a total of four seasons, Barry Weiss not only accumulated unique antique collectibles, but he also made a substantial profit from his finds. In just the first season alone, Weiss invested $8,165 in storage lockers, netting $23,394 by season's end (via Gazette Review).
In the consecutive seasons afterwards, Weiss earned profits in the $20,000-$33,000 range for his lockers, leaving him with a nice sum of money on top of what he was getting paid to be on the show. Some of Weiss' most valuable finds include a vintage arcade peep show machine, which was valued between $6,000 to $8,000, and an artistic wooden head sculpture worth at least $6,000. It's interesting to note, though, that while the artistic wooden head sculpture could have made Weiss thousands, he loved the piece so much that he kept it, like a lot of his "Storage Wars" finds.
He has had two Storage Wars spin-off series
Since his debut in "Storage Wars" Barry Weiss has garnered a huge fan base, with his popularity inspiring two "Storage Wars” spin-off series exclusively dedicated to him and his adventures. "Barry'd Treasure," which debuted in 2014, followed him all over the country in his search for eccentric collectibles and antiques.
Despite the success of "Storage Wars," Weiss' show did not perform as well among viewers, and ultimately was canceled after one season. Another spin-off, titled "Storage Wars: Barry Strikes Back," also lasted one season, and featured Weiss along with fellow bidder and friend Kenny Crossley as they reflected on some of their favorite finds and best moments from the original "Storage Wars."
Though the spin-off series were not as successful, Weiss undoubtedly made a decent amount of money from the shows. It is reported that Weiss made at least $10,000 per episode from "Storage Wars," per Gazette Review, but the exact numbers are unknown.
Barry Weiss is a Casino spokesperson
Barry Weiss left "Storage Wars" after four seasons in 2013, and has mostly maintained a private life since his departure and the canceled spin-offs. In 2019, Weiss was announced as the official brand ambassador and spokesperson for Sherwood Valley Casino, located in Willits, California. Weiss' responsibilities include "appearing in print, television, outdoor and radio advertising, as well as the casino's public relations efforts and online properties," per the Sherwood Valley Casino press release. In an official statement, Weiss said, "I'm really pleased to be the new brand ambassador and spokesperson for Sherwood Valley Casino. This place never seems to change, and it's a glorious refuge for distinguished guests from all walks of life." Additionally, Weiss has participated in meet-and-greets with fans as part of his casino ambassadorship.
While information about compensation for Weiss' position is not publicly available, Glassdoor reports that the average salary of a media spokesperson is around $52,000. Judging by Weiss' fame and celebrity status, we can assume that he makes at least that amount, but most likely much more.
He owns a million-dollar mansion and other properties
With regard to real estate, Barry Weiss owns a 4-bedroom, $1.8 million home in Laughlin Park, a section of the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, Reality Weekly claimed (via Starcasm). A 1913 brochure once called the neighborhood's Laughlin Park "a replica of Italy's finest landscape gardens ... an exclusive enclave to accommodate 40 villas in the Mediterranean style" (via Los Angeles Magazine). The place has not lost its flair and remains architecturally consistent with the Spanish/Mediterranean style that once drew people to the area. Los Feliz has attracted numerous Hollywood names over the years, with Charlie Chaplin and W.C. Fields among the famous historic residents of the area.
In addition to his mansion in Los Angeles, Weiss is rumored to own other properties, though their locations are unknown. As of 2022, Realtor reports that the average home price in Los Feliz is $1.7 million.
Barry Weiss has an extensive car collection
Along with Barry Weiss' antiques, he also has an extensive car and motorcycle collection. According to Weiss himself, in an interview with Clasiq and Farmers Insurance, his first car was a 1967 Lincoln Continental, and ever since then, he has fallen in love with vintage custom cars. Weiss' collection includes a 1939 Lincoln Zephyr, which has an estimated value between $123,000-$352,000 just by itself (via Outsider). He bought the car in 2013 for $55,000, according to Motor Authority, and it has since become an iconic piece in his collection.
Along with the Zephyr, Weiss also owns a 1947 Cowboy Cadillac, which, he revealed was a longtime project. In an interview with The Web Show in 2007, Weiss talked about his prized car, saying, "It's been ... a work in progress, and it often-times is with custom cars like this, or as they're called, referred to as lead sleds." Current and previous others include a 1940 Ford COE,1987 Jaguar XJ8, 1957 Ford Ranchero, and a totally customized 1995 Beatnik Hot Rod.
He returned to Storage Wars
Fans were devastated when Barry Weiss left "Storage Wars" in 2013 after a short four seasons with the show. There wasn't any dramatic reason for leaving the series, according to Weiss himself. Rather, his departure was for personal reasons, with the star saying in a 2017 interview, "I had a blast, it was fun. But I had enough, and plus, I kind of wanted to leave while it was still popular."
Despite his spin-offs, fans of the show were deprived of their favorite wacky collector until he made a surprise return on "Storage Wars" in 2021. The Season 13 episode, titled "Older and Weiss-er," aired in November 2021, and shocked both members of the show and fans when Weiss came back to the bidding scene in none other than his classic 1939 Zephyr. On his return, Weiss said he was "like a completely born-again bidder," and a born-again bidder he was. In the first episode, he proved that he was a natural once again, making a $1,500 profit (via Newsweek).