Biography of Tony Scott

Tony Scott was an English film director and producer known best for his films in the action and thriller genres. He was the younger brother of the famous English director, Ridley Scott, with whom he attended the Royal College of Art and later received a joint BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema. Notable films include The Hunger, Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II, True Romance, Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State, Spy Game, Domino, and Unstoppable.

Scott received his education at the Royal College of Art, where, like his older brother Ridley Scott, he planned to pursue a painting career. It was Ridley's turn to film that encouraged Tony to do so as well. At the beginning of his career, he worked on commercials, before directing films in the 1980s. His first film was an erotic horror movie about a vampiric love triangle, starring Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, and Susan Sarandon. His next film was Top Gun, his biggest hit and highest grossing film. From there he became a Hollywood regular, directing many action films over the years.

Scott was known for his deft treatment of blockbuster action films, and many critics thought that his work went under-appreciated throughout his career. Manohla Dargis of The New York Times called him "one of the pop futurists of the contemporary blockbuster." Tragically, Scott killed himself in 2012 by jumping off a bridge.


Study Guides on Works by Tony Scott

Top Gun is an iconic American action film, remembered for propelling Tom Cruise into the public eye and Hollywood stardom. While it did not fare that well with critics, it was a big hit at the box office and was lauded for its special effects and...