Ridley Scott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir
Ridley Scott
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Scott in 2015
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| Born | 30 November 1937 South Shields, Tyne and Wear, England
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| Years active | 1963–present |
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Full list |
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| Relatives | Tony Scott (brother) |
| Awards | Full list |
Sir Ridley Scott (born November 30, 1937) is a famous English film director and producer. He is known for making amazing movies in genres like science fiction, crime, and historical epics. His films are famous for their incredible visual style, making viewers feel like they are in another world.
Scott is one of the most successful directors ever. His movies have earned over $5 billion around the world. He has won many awards, including a BAFTA Fellowship for his life's work in 2018. In 2003, Queen Elizabeth II made him a knight, and in 2024, King Charles III gave him an even higher honor, a Knight Grand Cross.
Some of his most famous films include Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, and The Martian. He creates unforgettable worlds, from ancient Rome in Gladiator to futuristic cities in Blade Runner and distant planets in Alien and The Martian. Three of his films, Alien, Blade Runner, and Thelma & Louise, have been chosen to be preserved in the United States National Film Registry because they are so important to film history.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Film
Ridley Scott was born on November 30, 1937, in South Shields, England. His father was an officer in the army, so his family moved around a lot when he was young. This meant he lived in many different places, including Wales and Germany.
As a child, Scott loved science fiction. He read books by H. G. Wells and watched classic sci-fi movies. But it was Stanley Kubrick's film 2001: A Space Odyssey that truly inspired him. After seeing it, he said, "I knew what I could do."
He studied design at the West Hartlepool College of Art and later at the Royal College of Art in London. The industrial look of West Hartlepool later gave him ideas for the city in Blade Runner. For his final school project, he made a short film called Boy and Bicycle, which starred his younger brother, Tony, and his father.
After graduating, Scott worked for the BBC as a set designer and then as a director for TV shows. In 1968, he and his brother Tony started a company called Ridley Scott Associates (RSA) to make commercials. He directed many famous ads, including a popular one for Hovis bread in 1973.
Famous Film Career
The 1970s: A Sci-Fi Legend is Born
In 1977, Scott directed his first movie, The Duellists. It won an award at the Cannes Film Festival for Best Debut Film.
His next film, Alien (1979), made him world-famous. This scary science-fiction movie was a huge hit. Scott made a bold choice to have a female hero, Ellen Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver), which was unusual at the time. Ripley became one of the most iconic characters in movie history.
The 1980s: Blade Runner and Fantasy Worlds
After the success of Alien, Scott directed Blade Runner (1982), starring Harrison Ford. At first, the movie was not a box office hit. But over time, it became a classic. Today, many people think it is one of the most important science fiction films ever made. It helped start the cyberpunk style with its amazing vision of a futuristic city. Scott has said Blade Runner is his "most complete and personal film."
In 1985, he directed the fantasy film Legend, starring Tom Cruise. It featured incredible sets and makeup, especially for the villain, the Lord of Darkness. Like Blade Runner, it became a cult classic years after it was released.
Scott also directed a famous TV commercial in 1984 for the Macintosh computer. The ad, called "1984", was shown during the Super Bowl and is considered one of the greatest commercials ever made.
The 1990s: Critical Acclaim
In 1991, Scott directed Thelma & Louise. The film was a huge success with critics and audiences. It earned Scott his first Academy Award nomination for Best Director.
In 1995, Ridley and his brother Tony started a production company called Scott Free Productions. They produced all of Ridley's later films, including White Squall and G.I. Jane.
The 2000s: Epic Films and Awards
Scott's historical epic Gladiator (2000) was a massive success. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film, starring Russell Crowe, brought back the popular "sword and sandal" genre of movies.
He followed this with Black Hawk Down (2001), a war film that earned him another Oscar nomination for Best Director. In 2005, he directed Kingdom of Heaven, a movie about the Crusades. Scott later released a "director's cut" of the film, which was much longer and received great reviews.
He worked with Russell Crowe again on American Gangster (2007), which was also a hit.
The 2010s: Return to Sci-Fi and More
In 2012, Scott returned to the universe of Alien by directing Prometheus. The film explored the origins of the alien creatures from his 1979 movie. He followed it with a sequel, Alien: Covenant, in 2017.
One of his biggest hits of the decade was The Martian (2015). The film, starring Matt Damon as an astronaut stranded on Mars, was loved by critics and audiences. It became Scott's highest-grossing film and was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
In 2017, Scott also directed All the Money in the World. He showed his amazing directing skills when he had to replace an actor just weeks before the movie's release. He re-filmed all the scenes with a new actor, Christopher Plummer, and still finished the movie on time.
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The 2020s: Historical Dramas and Sequels
Scott has remained very busy in the 2020s. He directed two historical films released in 2021: The Last Duel and House of Gucci.
In 2023, he released Napoleon, a big-budget movie about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, starring Joaquin Phoenix. In 2024, he directed Gladiator II, a sequel to his famous 2000 film.
Personal Life
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Ridley Scott has three children who are also film directors: Jake, Luke, and Jordan. He married actress Giannina Facio in 2015. He lives and works in London, France, and Los Angeles.
His younger brother, Tony Scott, was also a successful film director and his business partner. Tony passed away in 2012. Ridley has dedicated several of his films to his family members, including Blade Runner to his older brother Frank and The Counselor to Tony.
Directing Style
Ridley Scott is known for his stunning visual style. He pays great attention to detail in the sets, costumes, and lighting of his films, which makes them feel very real and atmospheric. Filmmakers like James Cameron have said they were influenced by his work.
He often features strong female characters, like Ripley in Alien and Thelma and Louise. Another common theme in his movies is Artificial intelligence, which is explored in films like Blade Runner, Alien, and Prometheus.
Scott is also known for releasing "director's cuts" of his films. These are special versions that show his original vision for the movie. The director's cuts of Blade Runner and Kingdom of Heaven are very popular with fans.
Honours and Legacy
Ridley Scott has received many honors for his work. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 for his services to the film industry.
He has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director three times. In 2018, he received the BAFTA Fellowship, the highest honor from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Scott's work has had a huge impact on movies, especially in the science fiction genre. His ability to create detailed, believable worlds has inspired a generation of filmmakers and continues to entertain audiences around the globe.
See also
In Spanish: Ridley Scott para niños
- Ridley Scott's unrealised projects
- List of Academy Award winners and nominees from Great Britain
