Born in North Shields in 1944, Scott’s earliest foray into film was as the star of Boy and Bicycle (1965), the BFI-funded directorial debut of his older brother Ridley.
Tony Scott’s first two films as director, One of the Missing (1968) and Loving Memory (1970), were both funded by BFI Production. He went on to enjoy an illustrious Hollywood career, quickly developing a reputation for delivering fast-paced, big-budget action films such as Top Gun (1986) and Beverly Hills Cop II (1987). In total he directed 16 features, most recently working with regular collaborator Denzel Washington on the 2010 thriller Unstoppable. He was also a prolific producer of both film and television.
Amanda Nevill, Chief Executive, BFI, said:
The news about Tony Scott’s death is absolutely devastating and we join the millions who he spoke to through his films in mourning the tragic loss of one cinema’s great creative pioneers.”
