Simon West Biography

This page uses content from the Simon West biography page on the English version of Wikipedia and is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. This list of authors can be seen in the page history. Rotten Tomatoes disclaims any and all warranties as to the accuracy or reliability of the content.

Simon West (born 1961) is an English film director. Born in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, Simon West originally directed adverts, including a commercial for Budweiser. His film directing career started when he directed Con Air in 1997.

Early career

In 1974, West played the part of John Walker in a film adaption of Arthur Ransome's book, Swallows and Amazons.

West began his career in 1981 as a film editor with the BBC in London. During a four year tenure at the BBC, West was involved with a number of award-winning productions including the documentary series Strangeways Prison and the drama series Bleak House both of which won awards from the prestigious British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Mr. West's career took off in 1985 when he began freelancing as a director and he was awarded a grant from the British Arts Council to write and direct the film entitled "Dolly Mixtures". He was subsequently signed to Limelight London to direct music videos and commercials. In 1987 he won Best Video at the Montreux Music Festival for Mel and Kim's "Respectable".

With a flourishing commercial career, West relocated to Los Angeles offices of Limelight in 1991. Moving to Pilot pictures in 1992, he received a CLIO Award for Little Caesar's "Airplane" and a Golden Lion Award for Little Caesar's "Italian Feast."

West joined Propaganda Films in 1993 with a roster of credits including McDonalds, Sprite, AT&T, Ford, Miller Beer and Budweiser. His most famous commercial was a spot for Pepsi where a little boy sucks himself into a Pepsi bottle. The ad ran during the Super Bowl and was USA Today's highest rated commercial for that year.

1990's to Today

In 1997, he directed the international blockbuster Con Air for Jerry Bruckheimer starring Nicolas Cage and John Malkovich and followed that up in 1999 with The General's Daughter starring John Travolta.

In 2001, he directed Lara Croft : Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie and served as an executive producer on the Oscar nominated Black Hawk Down.

In 2003, he executive produced the critically acclaimed Fox show, Keen Eddie, also serving as director for the pilot and second episode.

In 2005, he directed the pilot for the Jerry Bruckheimer produced CBS show Close to Home, which he followed in 2006 with the Screen Gems thriller, When a Stranger Calls

Selected filmography

• When a Stranger Calls (2006)
  
• Close to Home (pilot) (2005)
  
• Keen Eddie (executive producer) (2003)
  
• Lara Croft : Tomb Raider (2001)
  
• The General's Daughter (1999)
  
• Con Air (1997)
  

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