Born in the Bronx, Ferrara started making amateur films on Super 8 in his teens before making his debut with violent exploitation films such as 'Driller Killer' and 'Ms.45'. Good reviews for the latter helped create his cult reputation, leading to larger budgets, studio funding and 'name' actors (Christopher Walken, Harvey Keitel), but he still likes taking his camera out onto the meanest streets of New York, as the ultra-cheap, highly controversial 'Bad Lieutenant' demonstrates.
Grew up in Peekskill, New York. Has two adopted daughters. Went to high school with Nicholas St. John, who has written many of his films. Visited Sarajevo Film Festival (Bosnia, 8/2006)