Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer whose filmography includes some of the most influential works in cinema history, such as Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, and Hannibal. In addition to his feature films, he has directed over 2,000 television commercials, numerous music videos, and TV series. In recognition of his contributions to cinema, he was awarded the honorary title of “Sir.”

Ridley Scott was born on November 30, 1937, in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, England. He spent much of his childhood in London. His father and elder brother served in the military, which meant that Scott rarely had the opportunity to spend time with his father during his early years. After living in Wales and Germany, the family returned to London following World War II. In 1954, Scott enrolled at West Hartlepool College, graduating in 1958 with a degree in design. Between 1960 and 1962, he completed a master’s degree in graphic design at the Royal College of Art in London.

As part of his studies, Scott directed his first short film, the black-and-white Boy and Bicycle, featuring his younger brother and father. In 1963, he began working at the BBC as a set design trainee. By the time he left the BBC, he had contributed to the production and direction of numerous television series and programs.

In 1968, Ridley Scott decided to pursue a career in advertising and founded his own production company, Ridley Scott Associates, working alongside Alan Parker. Over the next decade, he directed approximately 2,000 commercials. In 1977, he made his feature film debut with The Duellists, starring Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel. The film won the Jury Prize for Best First Feature at the Cannes Film Festival.

Scott gained international recognition in 1979 with Alien, a groundbreaking blend of science fiction and horror. The film’s success laid the foundation for his 1982 masterpiece Blade Runner, adapted from a novel by Philip K. Dick and starring Harrison Ford. Though initially met with mixed reactions, the film later achieved cult status and became one of the most influential works in cinematic history.

After directing Legend (1985), Someone to Watch Over Me (1987), and Black Rain (1989), Ridley Scott reached a major career milestone with Thelma & Louise in 1991. The film, which won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay, examined themes of female autonomy and social resistance, and remains one of the most important road movies ever made.

He continued with 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992), White Squall (1996), and G.I. Jane (1997), before achieving monumental success with Gladiator (2000). The film won five Academy Awards and redefined the modern epic genre. This success was followed by Black Hawk Down and Hannibal in 2001, both critically and commercially successful projects.

In 2003, Scott directed Matchstick Men, starring Nicolas Cage. He returned to epic historical cinema with Kingdom of Heaven in 2005, a production that required extensive security during filming in Morocco. In 2006, he reunited with Russell Crowe for A Good Year, adapted from a novel by Peter Mayle with music composed by Marc Streitenfeld.

Ridley Scott directed American Gangster in 2007, starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. In 2015, he returned to science fiction with The Martian, starring Matt Damon, which earned widespread acclaim. He also continued expanding the Alien universe with Prometheus and Alien: Covenant.

Ridley Scott has been married three times. His first marriage was to Felicity Heywood in 1964, with whom he had two sons, Jake and Luke. His second marriage was to Sandy Watson, with whom he had a daughter, Jordan. In June 2015, he married actress Giannina Facio.

Throughout his career, Ridley Scott has received numerous accolades, including Golden Globe Awards for Gladiator and The Martian, as well as the Cannes Jury Prize for Best First Film. His distinctive visual style, large-scale productions, and philosophical depth have firmly established him as one of the most important directors in the history of modern cinema.

Filmography

Director
• 2017 – Alien: Covenant (Feature Film)
• 2015 – The Martian (Feature Film)
• 2014 – Exodus: Gods and Kings (Feature Film)
• 2013 – The Vatican (TV Film)
• 2013 – The Counselor (Feature Film)
• 2012 – Prometheus (Feature Film)
• 2010 – Robin Hood (Feature Film)
• 2008 – Body of Lies (Feature Film)
• 2007 – American Gangster (Feature Film)
• 2006 – A Good Year (Feature Film)
• 2005 – Kingdom of Heaven (Feature Film)
• 2003 – Matchstick Men (Feature Film)
• 2001 – Black Hawk Down (Feature Film)
• 2001 – Hannibal (Feature Film)
• 2000 – Gladiator (Feature Film)
• 1997 – G.I. Jane (Feature Film)
• 1996 – White Squall (Feature Film)
• 1992 – 1492: Conquest of Paradise (Feature Film)
• 1991 – Thelma & Louise (Feature Film)
• 1989 – Black Rain (Feature Film)
• 1987 – Someone to Watch Over Me (Feature Film)
• 1985 – Legend (Feature Film)
• 1982 – Blade Runner (Feature Film)
• 1979 – Alien (Feature Film)
• 1977 – The Duellists (Feature Film)
• 1965 – Boy and Bicycle (Short Film)

Screenwriter
• 1965 – Boy and Bicycle (Short Film)

Producer
• 2017 – Alien: Covenant (Feature Film)
• 2017 – Felt (Feature Film)
• 2017 – Blade Runner 2049 (Feature Film)
• 2016 – Morgan (Feature Film)
• 2015 – The Martian (Feature Film)
• 2015 – Killing Jesus (TV Film)
• 2015 – Truth (Feature Film)
• 2014 – Halo: Nightfall (TV Series)
• 2013 – Springsteen & I (Feature Film)
• 2013 – Killing Lincoln (Feature Film)
• 2013 – Killing Kennedy (TV Film)
• 2012 – Stolen (Feature Film)
• 2010 – Robin Hood (Feature Film)
• 2009 – Tell-Tale (Feature Film)
• 2009 – Into the Storm (TV Film)
• 2008 – Body of Lies (Feature Film)
• 2005 – Numb3rs (TV Series)
• 2002 – The Gathering Storm (Feature Film)

Cinematographer
• 1965 – Boy and Bicycle (Short Film)

Actor
• 2003 – AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Heroes & Villains (Himself) (TV Film)
• 1984 – Cinema 3 (Himself) (TV Series)

Source: Biyografiler.com