Barry Weiss

As the offbeat and independently wealthy antique collector on the popular reality series "Storage Wars" (A&E, 2010- ), Barry Weiss rapidly developed a devoted following - particularly among female viewers - to become one of basic cable's most popular stars. Prior to "Storage Wars," Weiss owned a produce company with his brother that exported and imported wholesale fruits and vegetables. After about 25 years in that business, Weiss retired in his mid-fifties a wealthy man. An avid motorcycle nut, Weiss eventually befriended Jesse James and became an honorary godfather and close friend with the "Monster Garage" (Discovery Channel, 2002-06) star. He had been an antique collector his entire life and was approached by his old friend, Thom Beers, a reality show producer who offered Weiss a spot on "Storage Wars," which depicted a group of professional buyers who bid on abandoned storage lockers that go up for sale at auction in and around Southern California. While most of the buyers on the show - consignment store owner Dave Hester, high-end dealer Darrell Sheets, and second hand store owners Jarrod Schulz and Brandi Passante - relied on the lockers to earn a living, Weiss' independent wealth allowed him to purchase lockers on a whim and dig through for items to add to his eclectic collection.