Michael Caton-Jones

Biography

Michael Caton-Jones (born October 15, 1957, in Broxburn, West Lothian, Scotland) is a renowned Scottish film and television director and producer. Over his career, he has directed a diverse array of films, ranging from historical dramas to thrillers, and has collaborated with some of Hollywood's most prominent actors.

Early Life and Education

Caton-Jones was born Michael Jones and grew up in the Scottish town of Broxburn. He moved to London at the age of 17 to pursue a writing career, working as a stagehand in London's West End to support himself. His passion for storytelling led him to enroll at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, where his student film Leibe Mutter won Best Film at the European Student Awards. ​

Career Highlights

Caton-Jones made his directorial debut with the political drama Scandal (1989), which explored the Profumo affair and earned him a nomination for the European Film Award for Young European Film of the Year. He followed this with Memphis Belle (1990), a World War II docudrama, and the romantic comedy Doc Hollywood (1991).​

In 1993, he directed This Boy's Life, a biographical drama featuring Robert De Niro and a young Leonardo DiCaprio in his first major film role. The film was critically acclaimed and showcased Caton-Jones's ability to elicit powerful performances.

His 1995 film Rob Roy, starring Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange, was a historical epic set in 18th-century Scotland. Caton-Jones continued to explore various genres with The Jackal (1997), an action thriller featuring Bruce Willis and Richard Gere, and City by the Sea (2002), a crime drama starring Robert De Niro and James Franco.​

In 2005, he directed Shooting Dogs (also known as Beyond the Gates), a poignant film about the Rwandan genocide, which was praised for its sensitive portrayal of a tragic historical event. He later directed Basic Instinct 2 (2006), Urban Hymn (2015), and Asher (2018). His 2019 film Our Ladies received a nomination for Best Feature Film at the BAFTA Scotland Awards.

Television Work

Caton-Jones has also made significant contributions to television. He directed episodes of the British series Brond (1987), Screen Two (1988), and Spooks (2010). In 2012, he directed the miniseries World Without End, based on Ken Follett's novel.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Caton-Jones has received several nominations and awards:​

Nominated for Best Short Film at the Torino Film Festival for The Riveter (1986).​

Nominated for Young European Film of the Year at the European Film Awards for Scandal (1989).

Nominated for Best Film at Fantasporto for Memphis Belle (1991).​

Nominated for Best Director at the British Independent Film Awards for Shooting Dogs (2006).​

Won the Golden Gryphon at the Giffoni Film Festival for Urban Hymn (2016).​

Nominated for Best Feature Film at the BAFTA Scotland Awards for Our Ladies (2022).

Personal Life

Caton-Jones was previously married to Beverly Caton, with whom he has two daughters, Daisy and Molly. He later married Laura Viederman, and they have two children, Romy and Charlie. A lifelong supporter of Celtic F.C., Caton-Jones continues to be active in both film and television. ​