Martin Scorsese was born on October 17, 1942, in Manhattan, New York City, USA. He is an American film director of Sicilian descent. He was born as the second child of a working-class family and spent his childhood in the neighborhood known as Little Italy in Manhattan. The social environment of this area deeply influenced his worldview and later provided strong thematic and visual inspiration for his films. The New York atmosphere he discovered during his youth later became a recurring setting in many of his works.

At a young age, Martin Scorsese suffered from severe asthma, which prevented him from participating in many outdoor activities. As a result, he spent much of his time indoors, where he developed a strong interest in cinema. This early exposure to films played a decisive role in shaping his artistic identity and future career.

In 1960, Martin Scorsese enrolled in the film program at New York University. He completed his undergraduate studies in 1964 and earned his master's degree in 1966. During this period, he directed several short films, including What’s a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This? (1963) and It’s Not Just You, Murray! (1964). His most famous short film, The Big Shave (1967), portrayed a man who continuously shaves himself until he cuts his own throat. Through this disturbing imagery, Scorsese metaphorically criticized America’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

In 1967, Martin Scorsese directed his first feature-length film, Who’s That Knocking at My Door, starring his schoolmate Harvey Keitel. This collaboration marked the beginning of a long professional relationship. The film also foreshadowed his later work Mean Streets, as many elements of what would later be called the “Scorsese Style” were already visible. These included Italian-American street culture, rapid editing, carefully curated rock music soundtracks, and psychologically troubled male protagonists.

During the 1970s, Martin Scorsese formed close relationships with influential filmmakers such as Francis Ford Coppola, Brian De Palma, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg. It was Brian De Palma who introduced him to Robert De Niro, with whom Scorsese would collaborate on many of his most iconic films.

In 1972, Martin Scorsese directed Boxcar Bertha for producer Roger Corman, who was known for helping launch the careers of filmmakers such as Francis Ford Coppola, James Cameron, and John Sayles. Although the project appeared minor at the time, it taught Scorsese how to make films quickly and efficiently on limited budgets, an experience that proved valuable before directing Mean Streets.

In 1974, actress Ellen Burstyn selected Martin Scorsese to direct Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Her performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, further solidifying Scorsese’s reputation as a director capable of drawing powerful performances from actors.

In 1976, Martin Scorsese directed one of his most acclaimed films, Taxi Driver, starring Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, and Harvey Keitel. The film won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and received multiple Academy Award nominations. Following this success, Scorsese embarked on his first large-budget project, New York, New York. The film failed to meet expectations, leading Scorsese into a period of emotional and physical decline, during which he struggled with severe cocaine addiction.

During this difficult period, Scorsese directed several documentary-style works. His already fragile health deteriorated further due to his intense lifestyle. According to many accounts, Robert De Niro played a crucial role in saving Scorsese by persuading him to direct Raging Bull. Released in 1980, the film was later selected by the prestigious British magazine Sight and Sound as the best film of the 1980s. The film earned eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Director. Robert De Niro won the Oscar for Best Actor, while the Best Director award went to Robert Redford for Ordinary People.

In 1983, Martin Scorsese directed his fifth collaboration with Robert De Niro, The King of Comedy. Although the film was not successful at the box office upon release, it gained significant critical appreciation in later years for its bold narrative and surreal elements. That same year, Scorsese began working on his long-cherished personal project, The Last Temptation of Christ, adapted from the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis. The film was released in 1988, with a screenplay written by Paul Schrader, and earned Scorsese another Academy Award nomination for Best Director.

Throughout the 1990s, Martin Scorsese continued his successful career with films such as Goodfellas (1990), Cape Fear (1991), The Age of Innocence (1993), Casino (1995), Kundun, and Bringing Out the Dead (1999). In the 2000s, he gained renewed attention with Gangs of New York and The Aviator. He continued his collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio and achieved major critical and commercial success with The Departed (2006).

Martin Scorsese remains an active filmmaker, continuing to work on large-scale projects and contributing significantly to contemporary cinema. His career is defined by his deep exploration of identity, violence, morality, and faith, as well as his enduring influence on generations of filmmakers worldwide.

Source: Biyografiler.com