Walter O'Brien Net Worth

What is Walter O'Brien's Net Worth?

Walter O'Brien is an Irish businessman, information technologist, and television producer who has a net worth of $50 million. Walter O'Brien is best known for being the Chief Operating Officer of Scorpion Computer Services and executive producer of the television series "Scorpion." Walter bills his company as "a think tank for hire."

Early Years

Walter O'Brien was born on February 24, 1975, in Clonroche, County Wexford, Ireland, the second of five children born to rural dairy farmers Maurice and Anne O'Brien. Walter attended St. Patrick's National School in Courtnacuddy in County Wexford. He later attended St. Mary's Christian Brothers School in the town of Enniscorthy in County Wexford. He has claimed that he was unpopular in school and the other kids didn't like him because he was always the teacher's pet – although the teachers complained to his parents that he asked too many questions.

As a young man, Walter worked for local banks, installing new software and troubleshooting technical problems to earn money during his school lunch breaks.

After finishing his term at St. Kiernan's College in County Kilkenny, Walter went on to the University of Sussex in Falmer, England, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in computer science and artificial intelligence.

His website states that he is a coding champion and was ranked as the sixth-fastest computer programmer in the world after competing in the World Olympics in Informatics.

According to Walter, he scored 197 on an IQ test issued by the school when he was a child, ranking him as having the fifth-highest IQ ever measured in the world. He has said, "Once your IQ is 150 or over, it stops being ability and becomes a disability." He has said that, growing up, he felt like "a freak, an outsider, isolated."

During an interview with The Irish Times in 2014, Walter stated that he obtained his first computer at the age of nine. "I learned everything there was to know about this computer in three days," he said. "I didn't sleep or eat for three days. I just took this computer apart." He claims that when he was 13 years old, he hacked into the computer system of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration – also known as NASA – using the pseudonym 'Scorpion.' Walter has said that, the day after the successful hack, the National Security Agency sent police to the home he shared with his parents and that he presented them with a contract he had drawn up stating that he would expose to them the areas where NASA's network was vulnerable and they wouldn't charge him with hacking. Walter has maintained that he cannot go into detail regarding the hack due to a non-disclosure agreement he had to sign.

Scorpion Computer Services

Walter O'Brien has stated that he founded Scorpion Computer Services the same year he hacked into the NASA network.

Los Angeles television station KTTV credited Scorpion Computer Services, Inc. with developing video analysis software that allowed those involved in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing to be identified. Other sources have disputed the claim, while Walter has allegedly remained silent due to additional alleged non-disclosure agreements.

Walter and his company have mitigated security risks for some of the world's largest corporations and have invented and applied artificial intelligence engines to protect United States military personnel in Afghanistan.

To promote Scorpion Computer Services, Inc., Walter decided to create and executive produce a television show. The CBS network premiered the tech-drama "Scorpion" in September 2014, asserting that it was based on Walter O'Brien's real-life experiences. Walter was regularly involved in story development for the show, which tens of millions of viewers tuned in to watch until it ceased airing in 2018.

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"Scorpion" TV Series

In 2014, O'Brien collaborated with Hollywood producer Scooter Braun to create a television series based on his life. The result was "Scorpion," a CBS drama that premiered in September 2014 and starred Elyes Gabel as Walter O'Brien, alongside Katharine McPhee and Eddie Kaye Thomas.

The show followed O'Brien and a team of geniuses as they tackled high-stakes global crises using their intelligence and technology skills. Though marketed as a real-life adaptation of O'Brien's experiences, many of the show's storylines were heavily dramatized, and skepticism grew about the authenticity of his background.

"Scorpion" debuted with strong ratings, attracting over 26 million viewers in its first season. However, viewership steadily declined, and CBS canceled the series in 2018 after four seasons. Despite this, the show helped O'Brien build his personal brand, expanding his business opportunities in cybersecurity and technology consulting.

Scorpion Studios

Walter O'Brien was a technical advisor on the 2008 superhero film "Venom" while Scorpion Computer Services was utilized while making the 2017 superhero film "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

After several years of being sought after by Hollywood film companies for expert advice on the technical aspects of cyber security, hacking, and virtual reality, Walter founded Scorpion Studios in the entertainment sector. The company advises film and television producers on how to make technology appear realistic. "We don't make the movies," his advertising touts. "We make them cooler and more realistic." The company is able to provide information from experts in Nuclear Energy, Prison Administration, space, and the military.

The Difficulty of Genius

Walter O'Brien has said that, in his "world," there are a lot of individuals diagnosed with Asperger's, autism, and ADHD. Describing himself, he has said, "I have no filter. My filter is broken. I observe people to learn how to behave. Relationships are hard for me. Dating is hard for me." He states that when he was a child, his teachers suspected he had autism. After testing, however, it was determined that he was not autistic.

Accolades

Walter O'Brien was awarded the EB1-1 permanent residency visa status at the American Embassy in Dublin, Ireland. The immigrant visa allows foreign nationals with extraordinary abilities in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics to permanently live and work in the United States.

Walter spoke at the 2016 Mensa gathering in San Diego, California. The following year, he was honored with a Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award by unite4:humanity, an annual award ceremony that celebrates humanitarian efforts worldwide.

In 2018, Walter was honored with a Humanitarian Award at the North Hollywood Cinefest in response to his donation of time and expertise in advising, providing intelligence, protecting identities, and executing anti-kidnapping and anti-human trafficking missions.

Philanthropy

Walter O'Brien supports STEM education, offering his advice at motivational events to inspire young people to pursue careers in science and technology.

Walter provided the finances to start Taxi Watch in Kilkenny, an organization that trains taxi drivers in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills. The organization has been instrumental in saving hundreds of lives.

Personal Life

Walter O'Brien is single and lives in Los Angeles, California.

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