Joey Merlino is a prominent American figure known for his past as a mobster and his current roles as a media personality and entrepreneur.
He hosts the popular podcast The Skinny with Joey Merlino, owns Skinny Joey’s Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, and shares a close bond with his sisters, who are actresses.
In his personal life, Joey is married to Deborah Merlino and is the father of two daughters, Sophia and Nicolette.
Who is Joey Merlino?
Joey Merlino, also known as Skinny Joey and his full name is Joseph Salvatore Merlino, is an American mobster and podcast host who gained fame in the 1990s and early 2000s for his flashy lifestyle and media attention.
He has been involved in illegal activities like extortion, loan sharking, and gambling, which got him noticed by police and the public.
Despite facing many legal problems and spending time in jail, Merlino has kept a strong hold on the Philadelphia crime family.
His leadership style and ability to avoid long prison terms have made him a notable figure in American organized crime history.
Joey Merlino Early Life
Joey Merlino was born Joseph Salvatore Merlino on March 13, 1962, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is an American of Italian-American ethnicity.
He grew up in a family deeply involved in organized crime, with his father, Salvatore Joseph Chuckie Merlino, being a prominent figure in the Philadelphia crime family.
Chuckie Merlino was born on June 29, 1939, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and passed away on October 22, 2012, in Fort Worth, Texas. Joey’s mother is Rita Merlino.
He also had an uncle named Lawrence, who was involved in organized crime but later cooperated with the government as a witness.
Joey grew up in South Philadelphia and Ventnor City, New Jersey, with his two sisters, Maria and Natalie Merlino.
Both sisters pursued acting careers, with Maria becoming known for her role in the film No One Lives Forever and Natalie recognized for performances in movies such as Karma Road, Containment, and The Tunnel.
Despite the family’s notoriety, the siblings maintained close personal ties.
Joey Merlino attended St. Thomas Aquinas School before continuing his education at Bishop Neumann High School in Philadelphia.
His childhood was shaped by strong family influence and the tough environment of South Philadelphia, where organized crime was an integral part of the local culture.
This early exposure laid a foundation that led Joey to follow in his father’s footsteps and become deeply involved in the Philadelphia crime family himself.
His early life reflected a blend of familial loyalty, cultural identity, and exposure to the complex realities of mob life.
Joey Merlino Sisters
Joey Merlino has two sisters, Maria and Natalie Merlino, who followed a very different path from Joey’s mob lifestyle by pursuing careers in acting.
Maria Merlino is known for her role in the film No One Lives Forever, bringing a creative and artistic side to the family, while Natalie Merlino has acted in several movies including Karma Road, Containment, and The Tunnel.
Their father, Salvatore Chuckie Merlino, was a prominent figure in the Philadelphia crime world, and their mother, Rita Merlino, was a strong presence in the household.
Despite the family’s ties to organized crime, the sisters carved out successful careers in entertainment, showing a unique dynamic where the world of crime and the arts intersect within one family.
This blend of backgrounds highlights Joey’s multifaceted life, combining a turbulent mob past with a family grounded in the performing arts.
Joey Merlino Age
Joey Merlino is 63 years old as of 2025 because he was born on March 13, 1962. As a Pisces, his birth date places him under this zodiac sign.
Over the years, Merlino has become a well-known figure due to his past as a reputed mob boss and his current role as a media personality.
Joey Merlino Early Career
In the 1980s, Joey Merlino began to establish his own reputation within the Philadelphia crime family.
Joey quickly gained a reputation for his bold and flashy personality. He stood out from many of his more reserved mob peers through his brash style and public presence.
Merlino was involved in various illegal activities, including extortion, loan sharking, and illegal gambling. The late 1980s and early 1990s were turbulent times for the Philadelphia crime family.
During this period, Merlino allied himself with Ralph Natale, who eventually became the boss of the family.
In 1994, after a series of murders and betrayals, Merlino emerged as a powerful figure within the family.
He became the de facto leader and was later recognized as the official boss after Natale’s arrest and cooperation with the authorities.
His high-profile lifestyle and media presence made him a target for law enforcement. In 1999, Joey was convicted on various charges, including racketeering, and was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison.
During his time in prison, Merlino continued to keep his influence over the Philadelphia crime family, maintaining his position as boss.
Joey was released from prison in 2011. Upon his release, he claimed to have retired from organized crime and moved to Boca Raton, Florida.
However, law enforcement officials remained skeptical of his retirement. In 2014, Merlino was arrested again for allegedly violating the terms of his supervised release by associating with known felons.
He was sentenced to four months in prison. In 2016, Merlino was once again indicted on racketeering charges as part of a major federal investigation into organized crime.
Authorities accused Joey Merlino of involvement in illegal gambling, healthcare fraud, and other criminal activities.
In 2018, he accepted a plea deal and the court sentenced him to two years in prison for illegal gambling.
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Career After Imprisonment
After his release from prison, Joey Merlino reinvented himself in 2025 by becoming a media personality and entrepreneur.
He launched a popular sports betting podcast called The Skinny with Joey Merlino. On the show, he shares football picks and personal stories, attracting a growing audience in the podcast community.
In the same year, Merlino opened Skinny Joey’s Cheesesteaks in South Philadelphia. Despite a firebombing incident shortly before its planned opening, the restaurant quickly became a local favorite.
Netflix’s docuseries Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia showcased Merlino’s life and rise in organized crime. This series further strengthened his role in popular culture and true crime media.
Despite his controversial past, Merlino’s ventures marked new chapters in his public life. He blended his mafia legacy with success in modern media and business.
Why did Joey Merlino Restaurant Get Banned?
Joey Merlino did not get his restaurant in Boca Raton, Florida banned. It closed because it could not make enough money.
It opened in 2017 with Italian food and Philly-style cheesesteaks, hoping to draw customers due to Merlino’s reputation.
However that was not enough to attract customers, and the restaurant struggled financially. Eventually, in 2018, they had to shut it down.
Joey closed his restaurant not due to legal issues but because it did not generate enough revenue to stay open. The business struggled financially, leading to its eventual closure.
Running a restaurant is tough, and even with Merlino’s name, they could not attract enough customers to stay open.
Joey Merlino Podcast
Joey Merlino has long been the subject of newspapers and tabloids. Now, he shares his experiences directly with audiences through his podcast.
In The Skinny Podcast with Joey Merlino, Joey partners with host Joe Lil Snuff Perri, a well-known Philadelphia content creator.
This long-form conversation and lifestyle podcast dives deep into Joey’s life, sharing exclusive, never-before-told stories from his childhood and beyond.
The show features special guests from sports and entertainment. It covers topics like politics, the criminal justice system, true crime, sports picks, and Joey’s philanthropic efforts.
Raw and unfiltered, The Skinny Podcast offers listeners a rare, authentic look into a world they have only seen from the outside.
The podcast is available on Patreon, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other podcast platforms.
Joey Merlino Net Worth
Joey Merlino has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2025. He generates income through his various sources of income including, hosting a podcast show, media presence, and other ventures.
How is Joey Merlino Make Money?
Joey Merlino makes money through his different sources of income. He opened an Italian restaurant in Florida called Merlino’s in 2017, but it closed in 2018 due to financial problems.
Joey often earns money by making public appearances, giving interviews, and engaging in media-related activities because people show interest in his mobster past.
He might have money invested in real estate or other businesses that provide a legitimate income.
Sometimes, former mobsters can make money by advising on security or consulting on projects related to crime prevention or entertainment.
Joey Merlino Wife and Daughters
Joey Merlino is married to his wife Deborah Merlino. They tied the knot in 1997. Together, they have two daughters, Sophia Merlino and Nicolette Merlino.
Compared to Joey’s public notoriety in organized crime, his family maintains a relatively private life.
Sophia Merlino and Nicolette Merlino have grown up under the shadow of their father’s reputation. Despite his past and the scrutiny it brings, Joey has expressed his commitment to his family.
They have navigated challenges together, including Joey’s periods of imprisonment and ongoing legal issues, although they do not publicly share many details about their personal lives.
Joey Merlino’s relationship with his wife and daughters represents a quieter aspect of his life away from the public eye. Despite his controversial career, his family remains a central part of his identity.
Joey Merlino Height and Weight
Joey Merlino stands tall at a height of 5 feet 6 inches which is equal to 167 centimeters or 1.67 meters.
He weighs around 75 kilograms which is equal to 165 pounds. This medium build matches his nickname Skinny Joey, given to distinguish him from a heavier cousin with the same name.
Joey has maintained a strong presence both as a mob leader and as a media personality.
Social Media Appearance
Joey Merlino is an active user of social media. He has made his online presence on various platforms of social media with a massive following.
On Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube, he shares his professional insights, podcasts, and creative content, which make him represent as a new Joey Merlino among people.
In 2023, Joey gained widespread attention on social media by posing a picture with former President Donald Trump at Trump’s Golf Club.
Bottom Line
In the Bottom line, Joey Merlino’s life is a striking tale of infamy, perseverance, and reinvention.
Once a feared mob boss who ruled the violent underworld of Philadelphia, Merlino’s story goes beyond crime and violence to reveal a deeper personal struggle between a troubled past and the yearning for change.
Known for his flamboyant style and media presence, he broke the stereotype of secretive mobsters by openly interacting with the public and hosting charitable events.
After years of leading organized crime, Merlino shifted gears, becoming a media personality and entrepreneur.
His ventures include hosting a popular podcast and running a cheesesteak restaurant.
This transformation offers a rare view into how even those with the darkest histories can seek redemption.
His story prompts reflection on themes of family, loyalty, and hope, emphasizing that no matter how difficult one’s past, renewal and connection are always possible.
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