James Leprino

James Gerald Leprino (November 22, 1937 – June 19, 2025) was an American billionaire businessman who was the chairman of Leprino Foods, the world's largest manufacturer of mozzarella cheese, it controls up to 85% of the U.S. pizza cheese market. He was listed as the 264th richest person in the U.S., with a net worth of $3.1 billion according to the 2017 Forbes 400 list. He was deemed by Forbes as the "Willy Wonka of cheese". He was the youngest of five sons of Mike Leprino Sr., who emigrated from Italy in 1914, aged 16, settled in Denver, and was a farm worker before starting a grocery store Leprino & Sons in 1950 in Denver's Little Italy. They made handmade ricotta, ravioli and a type of mozzarella known as scamorza.

In October 2017, his net worth was estimated by Forbes at US$3.1 billion. The nieces requested Leprino Foods be dissolved and its assets be distributed among all shareholders. A Colorado judge ruled out dismantlement of the company, but their claims of inequitable treatment could go forward.

Personal life and death Leprino was married with two children. He resided in Indian Hills, Colorado. It is unknown where he died or what cause.