Martin Brest - Actor Profile

Martin Brest

Directing
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
5Total Films
7.2 Highest Rated
Born: Aug 8, 1951
Birth Place: The Bronx, New York City, New York

About Martin Brest

Martin Brest (born August 8, 1951) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. After his feature debut, Going in Style (1979), he directed the action comedies Beverly Hills Cop (1984) and Midnight Run (1988), which were critical and commercial hits. He then directed Scent of a Woman (1992), starring Al Pacino, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance, and earned Brest nominations for Best Director and Best Picture. He followed it with Meet Joe Black (1998), which received mixed reviews. Brest's next film was Gigli (2003). After disagreements between Brest and Revolution Studios, creative control was taken from him, resulting in a radically re-written and re-shot version of the original film being released, which became his first and only unprofitable film and, in fact, a major box-office bomb and was widely panned. It remains his last film to date. Description above from the Wikipedia article Martin Brest, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Martin Brest reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 5 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Comedy

The majority of Martin Brest's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 60% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Martin Brest remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Beverly Hills Cop, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Martin Brest Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Martin Brest's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Martin Brest.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1988 Midnight Run Airline Ticket Clerk (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1985 Spies Like Us Drive-In Security Average Similar →
1984 Beverly Hills Cop Beverly Palms Hotel Checkout Clerk (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1982 Fast Times at Ridgemont High Dr. Miller Hit Similar →
1972 Hot Dogs for Gauguin Man on Ferry Average Similar →

Martin Brest - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Martin Brest?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Martin Brest is "Beverly Hills Cop" with a rating of 7.2/10.

How many movies has Martin Brest acted in?

Martin Brest has been featured in at least 5 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Martin Brest?

Other notable films include "Midnight Run", "Fast Times at Ridgemont High", and "Hot Dogs for Gauguin".