Michelle Li, 1/15 Week 9 - Called Your Bluff
Zach Horwitz in The Laughing Man, a 1inMM Production that went viral. Source: IMDb
Zach Horwitz is living proof that gaining wealth, influence, and power is a lot easier than you think. A college athlete harboring a secret passion for acting, Horwitz pitched a business idea to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, who surprisingly took him up on the offer to create FÜL, a juice bar chain. When things ended up falling apart, Schultz invited Horwitz to join his venture capital firm instead, urging Horwitz and his wife to move to Los Angeles in 2011. His proximity to Hollywood allowed him to finally live out his dreams of being a movie star. Horwitz created 1inMM Productions to make small films that he starred in. He also partnered with several streaming services to buy and distribute movies in Latin America. This proved lucrative, and Horwitz looped in Jake Wunderlin and Joe DeAlteris, two of his college friends, to invest in his company and profit from his returns. The two were so impressed with the payouts that they began recruiting other investors for Horwitz’s distribution deals in 2014. As his wealth grew, Zach’s career and life began to take a turn for the better. He founded Rogue Black, which allowed him to invest in movies—some of which he landed parts in, starring alongside A-list celebrities. The millions of dollars he earned resulted in him telling his wife to quit her job and spending lavishly on mansions, cars, and luxury items. But it was all a lie. Horwitz was running a Ponzi scheme. There was never a deal with streaming services; he paid off investors with money brought in from newly recruited ones. Schultz didn’t know Horwitz existed, and he had never invited him to Los Angeles or funded FÜL. Horwitz had faked everything. He sent scheduled text messages to himself, acting like they were from Netflix or HBO Max. He falsified emails from the services’ executives. And worst of all, he stole millions from close family and friends that trusted him with their life savings. Horwitz’s rise to stardom collapsed when he ran out of money to pay investors. Their suspicions led to an investigation, which resulted in a 2022 trial incriminating Horwitz for scamming people out of $690 million. One investor that lost $1.4 million testified, “If it were not for my spiritual beliefs, I would have committed suicide.”
Horwitz acted in the 2021 film The Gateway, playing an ex-convict. Allegedly, his acting was so terrible that the director had him spend a night in jail to immerse himself in the role. He’s currently serving a 20-year sentence at FCI Terminal Island. I think he’s taken method acting a little too seriously.
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteThe picture you chose to add on to your article really caught my attention. The way you opened your blog made me so intrigued to keep reading and find out how maybe and once again I mention- potentially I could become wealthy and powerful, but upon reading I realize I want to be nothing like Hortwiz. The Horwitz story is absolutely crazy! He basically came from no special background and built himself as a real life villain up from scratch! I don’t know how he thought he could get away with stealing that much money. Your article made me intrigued enough to search up more about him! Thank you for sharing this story with us. Now I have something to research for fun for the next few hours!
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteYour blog was rather thrilling to read. The last sarcastic remark about taking the role too seriously was a great way to finish the entertaining read. Even the name “Horwitz” gives me the impression of someone who could be sneaky and dangerous. Your plot twist you incorporated going into the end was a perfect transition, almost like how a movie’s plot twist happens quickly and unexpectedly. I like the picture you used for the blog, which expresses an uncomfortable sense of deceit. Maybe I will go watch some of his movies if I find enough free time for myself.
Hi Michelle! You captured the rise and fall of the actor Zach Horwitz so well in your blog, covering his interesting character arc. The stark contrast between his seemingly perfect, successful life with the truth of his fraudulent schemes was incredibly engaging. You have such a witty style of storytelling, especially evident with the last joke about him taking method acting too seriously, really highlighting your writing voice. With your critique on how lies can make power attainable matched with the story, you have a lovely balance which makes this such an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle! My blog post touches upon a slightly similar misuse of power; the inherent responsibility, integrity, and sense of justice that comes with holding power is important to acknowledge. Horowitz is a case example of abusing status and wealth, and sadly, he’s one of many.
ReplyDeleteThe quote that you included from one of the investors, that he almost committed suicide due to the money that Horowitz cheated, stood out to me. In cases where power is abused, the victims rarely get the same amount of attention as the perpetrators; the consequences of the actions of people in power always come back, no matter what kind of shape or form. What if that man really did take his life—would Horowitz have been considered as a murderer for his scheme? What difference would it have made towards his sentence, what would have happened to that investor’s family and loved ones? Power isn’t something to play around about.
Hi Michelle!
ReplyDeleteYour blog was extremely engaging to read! You did a great job showing the contrast between Horowitz facades and the harsh reality of his schemes. The quote from the investor you included was also extremely impactful, showing the real damage he has caused.
I also loved the way you ended the blog about method acting; it added a nice touch of humor to an interesting story. It’s shocking how far someone can go with their lies, and I thought your blog captured that perfectly. Great blog!