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Martin Brest (born August 8, 1951) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He was born in a Jewish family in the Bronx, New York. Brest graduated from Stuyvesant High School in 1969, from New York University's School of the Arts in 1973 and from the AFI Conservatory with an M.F.A. degree in 1977. His major studio debut was 1979's Going in Style, which starred George Burns, Art Carney and Lee Strasberg, the first of several films to mix action and comedy to great effect. Brest was then hired to direct the film WarGames, but was fired during production. Brest hit paydirt in... MORE

Martin Brest (born August 8, 1951) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He was born in a Jewish family in the Bronx, New York. Brest graduated from Stuyvesant High School in 1969, from New York University's School of the Arts in 1973 and from the AFI Conservatory with an M.F.A. degree in 1977. His major studio debut was 1979's Going in Style, which starred George Burns, Art Carney and Lee Strasberg, the first of several films to mix action and comedy to great effect. Brest was then hired to direct the film WarGames, but was fired during production. Brest hit paydirt in 1984 with Beverly Hills Cop, starring Eddie Murphy. The film raked in over $300 million and received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Brest followed up with 1988's Midnight Run, starring Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin, a critical and commercial success. The film earned Golden Globe nominations for both De Niro and the film itself. His work on 1992's Scent of a Woman earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama. The film also won Golden Globes for Al Pacino and Bo LESS