Scott was born in Tynemouth, Northumberland, North East England, the youngest of three sons of Elizabeth (nee Williams) and Colonel Francis Percy Scott (who served in the Royal Engineers). He followed in his elder brother's footsteps, studying at Grangefield School, West Hartlepool College of Art and graduating from Sunderland Art School with a fine arts degree. At the age of 16 he appeared in Boy and Bicycle, a short film marking the directorial debut of his 23-year-old brother Ridley. Scott studied art in Leeds after failing to gain admission to the Royal College of Art in London at his first attempt.

A family press release on 22 August 2012, stated that "The family will announce plans after Labor Day for a gathering to celebrate the life and work of Tony Scott. Details will be forthcoming once they are formalised." The family announced that they had established a scholarship fund at the American Film Institute in Scott's name, stating, "The family ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the fund to help encourage and engage future generations of filmmakers." He was cremated, and his ashes were interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery on 24 August in Los Angeles. Subsequently, it was reported that he had left his estate to his family trust.  He is survived by his wife, Donna Wilson Scott, their twin sons, and his brother, film director Ridley Scott. Many actors paid tribute to him, including Tom Cruise, Christian Slater, Val Kilmer, Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Elijah Wood, Dane Cook, Dwayne Johnson, Stephen Fry, Peter Fonda and Keira Knightley, as well as musical collaborators Hybrid. Cruise stated, "He was a creative visionary whose mark on film is immeasurable." Denzel Washington, Scott's most frequent acting collaborator, said, "Tony Scott was a great director, a genuine friend and it is unfathomable to think that he is now gone." Directors UK chairman Charles Sturridge commented, "Tony Scott was a brilliant British director with an extraordinary ability to create energy on screen, both in action and in the creation of character."  The first episode of Coma and the first episode of season 4 of The Good Wife were dedicated in his memory. His brother Ridley's films The Counselor and Exodus: Gods and Kings were also dedicated in memory of him. Ridley also paid tribute to Tony at the 2016 Golden Globes, after his film, The Martian, won Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.

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