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Martin Scorsese

Biography - Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese was a leader of the 1970s ‘Movie Brats,’ a talented group of young film school-bred directors who made challenging films under the Hollywood banner. Unlike some of his contemporaries (Francis Ford Coppola, Peter Bogdanovich, etc.), Scorsese survived the rampant commercialism of 80s Hollywood and has remained a vital, important film artist. Like Clint Eastwood, Scorsese is experiencing an extraordinary late-career period with his award-winning films “Gangs of New York,” “The Aviator,” and “The Departed.”

In Scorsese’s childhood are the roots of many of his cinematic themes. Born November 17, 1942 in Flushing, Queens, he was raised in a working class Italian-American family. He grew up a strict Catholic, and for most of his childhood believed he would enter a seminary after high school. A rabid interest in cinema diverted those plans, however, and he ultimately graduated with an M.A. in Film from NYU, making him part of an early group of film school grads that would dominate the American cinema of the 70s. Scorsese became good friends with two future collaborators at NYU – brilliant editor Thelma Schoonmaker and famed actor Harvey Keitel.

The early 70s saw Scorsese acquaint himself with the changing American film scene, which was in a semi-revolt phase allowing young talent like Coppola, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and William Friedkin to find footing. Mentored by rebellious iconoclasts like John Cassavetes and Roger Corman, these young men forged new directions for Hollywood. Scorsese’s first film to make a splash was 1973’s “Mean Streets,” the first collaboration between Scorsese and Robert De Niro. New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael famously hailed “Mean Streets” as the coming of a major talent, and Scorsese’s harsh look at New York street life became a major success. Introducing many of his long-running themes – urban alienation, Catholic guilt, crises of masculinity – “Mean Streets” allowed Scorsese to channel his city-bred demons through a unique filmic filter, which became the ‘Scorsese style’ of rapid editing, extreme violence, fast dialogue, and a nervously unpredictable camera. The later, similarly-themed “Taxi Driver” (which introduced a scantily-clad Jodie Foster to the filmgoing public and won Scorsese the Cannes Palme d’Or) cemented the director as one of the most influential filmmakers on the planet, and remains one of the best films of the decade.

The lavish, overdone musical “New York, New York” led to a crisis for Scorsese, as its colossal failure contributed to a personal downfall. Struggling with drug addiction and a bruised confidence, Scorsese was pulled out of the gutter by De Niro, who convinced him to make “Raging Bull” - now remembered as one of the greatest American films of all time. The rest of the 80s, however, were up-and-down for Scorsese, who directed “The Color of Money” with Tom Cruise and Paul Newman and “The King of Comedy” with De Niro in an attempt at more mainstream fare. His return to more personal projects was a relief with 1988’s controversial “The Last Temptation of Christ.”

The 1990s saw Scorsese helm several terrific films, including the ambitious, crackling gangster epic “Goodfellas,” a rare period piece with “The Age of Innocence,” the gambling drama “Casino,” and the Nicolas Cage-starring “Bringing Out the Dead.” Recently Scorsese has hired young megastar Leonardo DiCaprio as his new muse (perhaps needing a De Niro replacement), and the pair have collaborated with great success on “Gangs of New York,” “The Aviator,” and “The Departed.” The latter film, which also stars Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, and Jack Nicholson, is an awards front-runner this year, and may finally win Scorsese his first Best Director Oscar. The superstar helmer has several interesting projects coming up, including the Japanese-set period piece “Silence” and a DiCaprio-starring biopic of Theodore Roosevelt.

Scorsese is truly a defining figure in contemporary American film, and his cinematic contributions are a gift to filmgoers around the world. His off-screen efforts include heading the Film Foundation, a group which helps preserve decaying stock of classic films. This is a fitting duty for Scorsese, who remains a glimmer of old-school hope amidst the often soulless, digital machinations of 21st century Hollywood.

Recent Martin Scorsese Photos

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Director Martin Scorsese attends a screening of "The Red Shoes" at the Directors Guild of America Theater on November 3, 2009 in New York City. (L-R) Directors Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese, Helen Morris and film editor Thelma Schoonmaker attend a screening of "The Red Shoes" at the Directors Guild of America Theater on November 3, 2009 in New York City. (L-R) CCO of Tribeca Enterprises Geoff Gilmore, filmmakers Martin Scorsese, Scandar Copti and filmmaker Mohamed Khan onstage at 'One Minute With Scorsese' at the Museum of Islamic Art during the 2009 Doha Tribeca Film Festival on October 30, 2009 in Doha, Qatar. Filmmaker Martin Scorsese attends the opening night film "Amelia" at the Museum of Islamic Art during the 2009 Doha Tribeca Film Festival on October 29, 2009 in Doha, Qatar.
Director Martin Scorsese attends a screening of "The Red Shoes" at the Directors Guild of ...
"The Red Shoes" New York Screening
New York
11/03/2009
(L-R) Directors Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese, Helen Morris and film editor Thelma Schoo...
"The Red Shoes" New York Screening
New York
11/03/2009
(L-R) CCO of Tribeca Enterprises Geoff Gilmore, filmmakers Martin Scorsese, Scandar Copti ...
2009 Doha Tribeca Film Festival – Day 3
Doha
10/30/2009
Filmmaker Martin Scorsese attends the opening night film "Amelia" at the Museum of Islamic...
2009 Doha Tribeca Film Festival – Day 2
Doha
10/29/2009
Filmmaker Martin Scorsese visits the Museum of Islamic Art during the 2009 Doha Tribeca Film Festival on October 28, 2009 in Doha, Qatar. Director Martin Scorsese and fashion designer Kimberly Ovitz attend her Spring 2010 Presentation at Milk Studios on September 16, 2009 in New York City. A wax figure of Martin Scorsese is displayed at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum on July 29, 2009 in Hollywood, California. A general view of the Hoyt-Schermerhorn subway station in Brooklyn, where the music video for Michael Jackson 's 1987 single "Bad," directed by Martin Scorsese, was shot on June 27, 2009 in New York City. Jackson, 50, the iconic pop star, died after going into cardiac arrest at around midday on June 25, 2009 local time in Los Angeles, California
Filmmaker Martin Scorsese visits the Museum of Islamic Art during the 2009 Doha Tribeca Fi...
2009 Doha Tribeca Film Festival – Day 1
Doha
10/28/2009
Director Martin Scorsese and fashion designer Kimberly Ovitz attend her Spring 2010 Presen...
Kimberly Ovitz Spring 2010 Presentation
New York
09/16/2009
A wax figure of Martin Scorsese is displayed at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum on July 29, 20...
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Hollywood Preview - Hollywood, CA
Hollywood
07/29/2009
A general view of the Hoyt-Schermerhorn subway station in Brooklyn, where the music video ...
Michael Jackson Is Remembered In New York City
New York
06/25/2009
Masoud Amralla Al Ali of the Dubai Film Festival poses with director Martin Scorsese during the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2009 in Cannes, France. Director Martin Scorsese attends a press conference at the Palais Des Festivals during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France. Martin Scorsese and wife Helen Morris attend the 'Bright Star' premiere at the Grand Theatre Lumiere during the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France. (ITALY OUT )Rosanna Arquette, director Martin Scorsese and Helen Morris attend 'The Red Shoes' Premiere at the Palais des Festivals during the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France.
Masoud Amralla Al Ali of the Dubai Film Festival poses with director Martin Scorsese durin...
62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival - Martin Scorsese Meets with Dubai Film Festival
Cannes
05/16/2009
Director Martin Scorsese attends a press conference at the Palais Des Festivals during the...
2009 Cannes Film Festival - "Bright Star" Press Conference
Cannes
05/15/2009
Martin Scorsese and wife Helen Morris attend the 'Bright Star' premiere at the Grand Theat...
62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival - "Bright Star" Premiere
Cannes
05/15/2009
(ITALY OUT )Rosanna Arquette, director Martin Scorsese and Helen Morris attend 'The Red Sh...
62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival - "The Red Shoes" Premiere
Cannes
05/15/2009
Film critic Roger Ebert and Director Martin Scorsese attend the Roger Ebert Conference Center Announcement held at the American Pavillion during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France. Writer Kent Jones and director Martin Scorsese attend the Martin Scorsese Photo Call at the Palais Des Festivals during the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France. Director Martin Scorsese and wife Helen Morris attend the The Red Shoes Red Carpet held at the Palais Des Festivals during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France. Rosana Arquette and Martin Scorsese attends the Bright Star Premiere held at the Palais Des Festivals during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France. on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France.
Film critic Roger Ebert and Director Martin Scorsese attend the Roger Ebert Conference Cen...
62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival - American Pavilion Ribbon Cutting
Cannes
05/15/2009
Writer Kent Jones and director Martin Scorsese attend the Martin Scorsese Photo Call at th...
62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival - Martin Scorsese Photocall
Cannes
05/15/2009
Director Martin Scorsese and wife Helen Morris attend the The Red Shoes Red Carpet held at...
Bright Star Premiere - 2009 Cannes Film Festival
Cannes
05/15/2009
Rosana Arquette and Martin Scorsese attends the Bright Star Premiere held at the Palais De...
Bright Star Premiere - 2009 Cannes Film Festival
Cannes
05/15/2009
Director Martin Scorsese attends the Red Shoes Photocall with cast members at the Palais Des Festivals during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May , 2009 in Cannes, France. Director Martin Scorsese attends the ITV Global Entertainment & The Film Foundations World Premiere of The Restoration of Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger's "The Red Shoes" during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France. Director Martin Scorsese (L) and Film editor, and widow of director Michael Powell, Thelma Schoonmaker-Powell (C) speak with guests during the ITV Global Entertainment & The Film Foundations World Premiere of The Restoration of Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger's "The Red Shoes" during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France. (L-R) Cannes Festival Director Thierry Fremaux, Film critic Roger Ebert and Director Martin Scorsese attend the Roger Ebert Conference Center Announcement held at the American Pavillion during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009 in Cannes, France.
Director Martin Scorsese attends the Red Shoes Photocall with cast members at the Palais D...
Martin Scorsese Red Shoes Press Conference - 2009 Cannes Film Festival
Cannes
05/15/2009
Director Martin Scorsese attends the ITV Global Entertainment & The Film Foundations World...
Nikki Beach Launches Nikki Beach Lifestyle- 2009 Cannes Film Festival
Cannes
05/15/2009
Director Martin Scorsese (L) and Film editor, and widow of director Michael Powell, Thelma...
Nikki Beach Launches Nikki Beach Lifestyle- 2009 Cannes Film Festival
Cannes
05/15/2009
(L-R) Cannes Festival Director Thierry Fremaux, Film critic Roger Ebert and Director Marti...
The Roger Ebert Conference Center Announcement - 2009 Cannes Film Festival
Cannes
05/15/2009
Martin Scorsese, Helen Scorsese and Giorgio Armani attend the Armani / 5th Avenue store opening at Armani / 5th Avenue on February 17, 2009 in New York City. ***EXCLUSIVE*** Producer Brad Grey (L) and Director Martin Scorsese pose at the 66th Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. Cecil B. DeMille award recipient director Steven Spielberg and presenter-director Martin Scorsese pose in the press room at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. Directors Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese pose in the press room at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009 in Hollywood, California.
Martin Scorsese, Helen Scorsese and Giorgio Armani attend the Armani / 5th Avenue store op...
Armani/5th Avenue Store Opening - Inside
New York
02/17/2009
***EXCLUSIVE*** Producer Brad Grey (L) and Director Martin Scorsese pose at the 66th Golde...
Moet & Chandon At The 66th Golden Globe Awards
Beverly Hills
01/11/2009
Cecil B. DeMille award recipient director Steven Spielberg and presenter-director Martin S...
The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Press Room
Hollywood
01/11/2009
Directors Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese pose in the press room at the 66th Annual G...
The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Press Room
Hollywood
01/11/2009
Director Martin Scorsese appears at rehearsals for The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (L-R) Producer Ehud Bleiberg, actor Robert De Niro, directors Paul Schrader and Martin Scorsese and screenwriter Noah Stollman attend a screening of "Adam Resurrected" at the Bryant Park Hotel Screening Room on December 8, 2008 in New York City. Director Martin Scorsese speaks on stage during "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's" 2008 Benefit for The Michael J. Fox Foundation at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers on November 5, 2008 in New York City. This event raised over $4 million for Parkinson's disease research. Director Martin Scorsese (R) and Helen Scorsese attend "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's" 2008 Benefit for The Michael J. Fox Foundation at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers on November 5, 2008 in New York City. This event raised over $4 million for Parkinson's disease research.
Director Martin Scorsese appears at rehearsals for The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards at ...
The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Rehearsals
Los Angeles
01/10/2009
(L-R) Producer Ehud Bleiberg, actor Robert De Niro, directors Paul Schrader and Martin Sco...
"Adam Resurrected" New York Screening - Arrivals
New York
12/08/2008
Director Martin Scorsese speaks on stage during "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure...
"A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Cure Parkinson's" 2008 Benefit For The Michael J. Fox Foundati...
New York
11/05/2008
Director Martin Scorsese (R) and Helen Scorsese attend "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way ...
"A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Cure Parkinson's" 2008 Benefit For The Michael J. Fox Foundati...
New York
11/05/2008
Director Martin Scorsese and Helen Scorsese attend "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's" 2008 Benefit for The Michael J. Fox Foundation at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers on November 5, 2008 in New York City. This event raised over $4 million for Parkinson's disease research. Director Martin Scorsese and wife Helen Scorsese attend The A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's benefit for the Michael J. Fox Foundation at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers on November 5, 2008 in New York City. Martin Scorsese appears onstage during the 7th Directors Guild of America Honors at the DGA Theater on October 16, 2008 in New York City. Director Martin Scorsese attends the 7th Directors Guild of America Honors at the DGA Theater on October 16, 2008 in New York City.
Director Martin Scorsese and Helen Scorsese attend "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to C...
"A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Cure Parkinson's" 2008 Benefit For The Michael J. Fox Foundati...
New York
11/05/2008
Director Martin Scorsese and wife Helen Scorsese attend The A Funny Thing Happened on the ...
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Cure Parkinson's Benefit
New York
11/05/2008
Martin Scorsese appears onstage during the 7th Directors Guild of America Honors at the DG...
7th Directors Guild Of America Honors - Awards Presentation
New York
10/16/2008
Director Martin Scorsese attends the 7th Directors Guild of America Honors at the DGA Thea...
7th Directors Guild Of America Honors - Press Room
New York
10/16/2008
Robert Rosen and Martin Scorsese attend the 7th Directors Guild of America Honors at the DGA Theater on October 16, 2008 in New York City. Author Gay Talese, director Matteo Garrone, director Martin Scorsese, Nick Pileggi and Helen Morris attend the IFC Films host a screening of "Gomorrah" at the Dolby screening room on October 3, 2008 in New York City. Tim Headington (C) entertains Martin Scorsese (L), the Jonas Brothers and Joey Fatone at the opening opening celebration of The Joule, A Luxury Collection Hotel on September 26, 2008 in Dallas, Texas. Director Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee attend the premiere of "Miracle at St. Anna" at Ziegfeld Theatre on September 22, 2008 in New York City.
Robert Rosen and Martin Scorsese attend the 7th Directors Guild of America Honors at the D...
7th Directors Guild of America Honors - Press Room
New York
10/16/2008
Author Gay Talese, director Matteo Garrone, director Martin Scorsese, Nick Pileggi and Hel...
IFC Films Host A Screening Of "Gomorrah"
New York
10/03/2008
Tim Headington (C) entertains Martin Scorsese (L), the Jonas Brothers and Joey Fatone at t...
Martin Scorsese and Tim Headington Celebrate the Opening of The Joule Hotel
Dallas
09/26/2008
Director Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee attend the premiere of "Miracle at St. Anna" at Zie...
"Miracle at St. Anna" New York Premiere
New York
09/22/2008
Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee attend the premiere of "Miracle at St. Anna" at the Ziegfeld Theatre on September 22, 2008 in New York City. Director Martin Scorsese attends the premiere of "Miracle at St. Anna" at the Ziegfeld Theatre on September 22, 2008 in New York City. Director Martin Scorsese arrives at the "Shine A Light" Premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater on March 30, 2008 in New York City. Director Martin Scorsese (C) with guitarist Ronnie Wood, drummer Charlie Watts, singer Mick Jagger and lead guitarist Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones at the "Shine A Light" press conference at the New York Palace Hotel on March 30, 2008 in New York City.
Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee attend the premiere of "Miracle at St. Anna" at the Ziegfeld...
"Miracle at St. Anna" New York Premiere - Inside
New York
09/22/2008
Director Martin Scorsese attends the premiere of "Miracle at St. Anna" at the Ziegfeld The...
Miracle At St. Anna" New York Premiere
New York
09/22/2008
Director Martin Scorsese arrives at the "Shine A Light" Premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater o...
"Shine A Light" New York Premiere - Arrivals
New York
03/30/2008
Director Martin Scorsese (C) with guitarist Ronnie Wood, drummer Charlie Watts, singer Mic...
"Shine A Light" New York Premiere - Press Conference
New York
03/30/2008
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