Career Timeline of Jordan Belfort: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 13, 2025

Discover the career path of Jordan Belfort, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jordan Belfort is a former stockbroker notorious for his involvement in a penny-stock scam and stock-market manipulation through his firm, Stratton Oakmont. In 1999, he pleaded guilty to fraud and related crimes. To reduce his sentence, he became an FBI informant, providing testimony against his associates. Belfort served 22 months in prison. He later authored the memoir "The Wolf of Wall Street" in 2007, detailing his experiences, which was subsequently adapted into a film directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1987: Layoff from L.F. Rothschild

In 1987, Jordan Belfort was laid off from L.F. Rothschild after the firm experienced financial difficulties due to the Black Monday stock market crash.

1989: Scrutiny from NASD

From 1989 onward, Stratton Oakmont was under near-constant scrutiny from the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD).

December 1996: Expulsion of Stratton Oakmont

In December 1996, the NASD expelled Stratton Oakmont, effectively putting it out of business.

1999: Guilty Plea

In 1999, Jordan Belfort pleaded guilty to fraud and related crimes involving stock-market manipulation and running a boiler room as part of a penny-stock scam.

1999: Indictment for Securities Fraud

In 1999, Jordan Belfort was indicted for securities fraud and money laundering.

2000: Boiler Room Film Inspiration

In 2000, Stratton Oakmont's notoriety inspired the film "Boiler Room".

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July 18, 2003: Sentencing to Prison

On July 18, 2003, Jordan Belfort was sentenced to four years in prison for securities fraud and money laundering, though he served 22 months.

2007: Restitution Payment During Parole

In 2007, Jordan Belfort paid $382,910 in restitution during his parole period.

2007: Memoir Publication

In 2007, Jordan Belfort published his memoir, "The Wolf of Wall Street".

The Wolf of Wall Street

Check it on Amazon

2008: Restitution Payment During Parole

In 2008, Jordan Belfort paid $148,799 in restitution during his parole period.

2009: End of 50% Income Restitution

In 2009, Jordan Belfort's restitution agreement, which required him to pay 50% of his income to defrauded clients, ended.

August 2012: Filming of "The Wolf of Wall Street" Begins

In August 2012, filming began for Martin Scorsese's adaptation of Jordan Belfort's memoirs, "The Wolf of Wall Street".

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October 2013: Complaint Filed Against Belfort

In October 2013, federal prosecutors filed a complaint against Jordan Belfort regarding his restitution payments.

December 25, 2013: Release of "The Wolf of Wall Street" Film

On December 25, 2013, the film adaptation of Jordan Belfort's memoirs, "The Wolf of Wall Street", was released.

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2013: Victim Recovery from Forfeited Properties

As of 2013, about $10 million of the $110 million recovered by Jordan Belfort's victims came from the sale of forfeited properties.

2013: "The Wolf of Wall Street" Release

In 2013, Stratton Oakmont's notoriety inspired the biopic "The Wolf of Wall Street".

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2013: Film Adaptation Release

In 2013, the film adaptation of Belfort's memoir, "The Wolf of Wall Street", directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was released.

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May 19, 2014: Motivational Talk in Dubai

On May 19, 2014, Jordan Belfort delivered a motivational talk in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

June 2014: Controversy over Film Royalties

In June 2014, spokesmen for the U.S. attorney stated that Jordan Belfort's claim that "100% of the royalties" from his books and The Wolf of Wall Street film would be turned over to victims was "not factual".

The Wolf of Wall Street

Check it on Amazon

2014: Speaking Engagements

As of 2014, Jordan Belfort was spending three weeks of each month on the road for speaking engagements through his business, Global Motivation Inc.

2017: Publication of Way of the Wolf

In 2017, Jordan Belfort wrote "Way of the Wolf: Straight Line Selling: Master the Art of Persuasion, Influence, and Success", detailing his sales techniques.