This past week, the world lost a great soul and artist in british director and producer Tony Scott’s passing. At 68-years-old, Scott had made a name for himself through his signature style of extreme editing and filming. The late director made his mark in Hollywood by creating suspense and sometimes over-dramatizations that helped perpetuate him into the cinema.

From Painter to Commercial Director

Tony was the youngest of three boys born in North Shields, England. He often followed in footsteps of his older brother, Ridley, who would also grow up to be a director. In fact, Ridley’s directorial debut at age 23 featured a 16-year-old Tony in his short film Boy and Bicycle. Although he originally didn’t get in, Tony eventually graduated from the Royal College of Art, just like Ridley, with every intention of being a painter.

But fortunately for the world of movie lovers, Tony diverted his attention from painting to film with the success of brother Ridley’s television commercial production outfit, Ridley Scott Associates. For 15 years Tony directed commercials; it was something he enjoyed as it allowed him to get his feet wet.

Partnering with Bruckheimer

In the ’80s, a new era of film had emerged. As aspiring directors, the pair of British brothers were scrutinized for their style of advertising in America. Luckily, film and television producer Jerry Bruckheimer was bored with the classic and traditional styles in American cinema. Tony would go on to do six films with Bruckheimer, noting Jerry’s enthusiasm for Tony’s approaches.

Tony Scott’s first substantial gig as a director wasn’t quite the launching pad he’d hoped for. In 1983, Scott directed The Hunger, a loose adaptation of the Whitley Strieber vampire novel of the same title, starring David Bowie, Susan Sarandon and Willem Dafoe. Despite its elaborate photography and production design, The Hunger failed to find fans in both audiences and critics. The film would later become a cult classic, but at the time, it stunted Tony’s film career, and he went back to commercials.

Taking a Shot With Top Gun

In 1985, Jerry Bruckheimer specifically requested Tony to direct a film titled Top Gun. And although he was at first hesitant, eventually accepted to job. Top Gun became the highest grossing film of 1986, launching a young Tom Cruise into superstardom and putting Tony Scott officially on the map of A-list directors. Scott rejoined Bruckheimer in 1987 to direct the anticipated sequel, Beverly Hills Cop II, which again became one of the year’s highest grossing films. Pushing momentum through to the ’90s, Tony helmed an adultery thriller, Revenge, with Kevin Costner. That same year, Scott directed Tom Cruise again, and worked with Bruckheimer on Days of Thunder.

Scott directed several other films in the early to mid ’90s but none had the success of Top Gun until his 1998 film Enemy of the State. The conspiracy thriller with Will Smith and Gene Hackman became Scott’s highest grossing film of the decade.

Success in the New Decade

In 2001 and 2004, Scott directed Spy Game and then Man on Fire, together making nearly $150 million at the box office. As Tony became more well known and successful he began to expand his expertise. Working with brother Ridley, Tony co-produced television series Numb3rs which aired from 2005-2010.

Tony then tackled one of my personal favorites of his films, Domino, based on the real life story of female Los Angeles bounty hunter Domino Harvey. Although the film wasn’t a hit by any means,Domino reflected Scott’s signature style with its fast cuts, dramatic scenery, and action-involved camera shots.

Scott’s next three films — Deja Vu, The Taking of Pelham 123, and Unstoppable – all featured Hollywood mega-star Denzel Washington. All three films featured action full of explosives and suspense, another of Scott’s specialities. The Scott Brothers were often working side by side on simultaneous projects, including their production for the film adaptation of The A-Team in 2010.

Never Forget Tony Scott

Often thought of as one of the most influential directors of the past 25 years, there was great promise that Tony Scott would continue directing and producing. Perhaps he would continue working with his brother to create more beloved masterpieces. Tony was a visionary who made a staple on America with Top Gun in the ’80s and continued to make cinematic art until his death on August 19th, 2012.

Before his death, Scott had several production projects in the works, including completed films The East and Stoker. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Scott, including wife Donna Wilson Scott, their twin sons, and of course, his brother Ridley. The world lost a great man with the passing of Tony Scott, but as we all know, it’s not about living forever, it’s about creating something that will, and Scott’s legacy will do just that.

Interview with Scott:

Tony Scott’s Filmography:

Producer

• Emma’s War (???)
• Prometheus 2 (???)
• Potsdamer Platz (???)
• Killing Lincoln (2013)
• Stoker (2013)
• The East (2012)
• Prometheus (2012)
• The Good Wife (2009-2012)
• World Without End (2012)
• The Grey (2011)
• Gettysburg (2011)
• Life in a Day (2011)
• Unstoppable (2011)
• The A-Team (2010)
• The Real Robbin Hood (2010)
• Cyrus (2010)
• Welcome to the Riley’s (2010)
• Numb3rs (2005-2010)
• Nomads (2010)
• Cracks (2009)
• The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)
• Into the Storm (2009)
• Tell Tale (2009)
• The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
• Law Dogs (2007)
• Tristan & Isolde (2006)
• Domino (2005)
• In Her Shoes (2005)
• Man on Fire (2004)
• Ticker (2002)
• Beat the Devil (2002)
• Hostage (2002)
• The Gathering Storm (2002)
• AFP: American Fighter Pilot (2002)
• Big Time (2001)
• The Last Debate (2000)
• Where the Money Is (2000)
• RKO 281 (1999)
• Clay Pigeons (1998)
• The Hunger (1997)

Director

• Unstoppable (2010)
• The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)
• Numb3rs (2007)
• Deja Vu (2006)
• Domino (2005)
• Agent Orange (2004)
• Man on Fire (2004)
• Beat the Devil (2002)
• Spy Game (2001)
• The Hunger (1997-1999)
• Enemy of the State (1998)
• The Fan (1996)
• Crimson Tide (1995)
• True Romance (1993)
• The Last Boy Scout (1991)
• Days of Thunder (1990)
• Revenge (1990)
• Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
• Top Gun (1986)
• Hunger (1983)
• Nouvelles de Henry James (1976)
• Loving Memory (1971)
• One of the Missing (1969)