Scott was born in Lethbridge, Alberta in 1943, and spent his early years in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he was raised. He went on to graduate from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre, with honours, in 1964.
After completing his education, Scott immediately moved to New York City, where he landed the title role in the off-Broadway production of "Billy Liar." His performance caught the attention of the renowned director William Ball, who was in the process of establishing the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Scott became one of the original company members of the ACT, and appeared in over twenty productions during his time there, including "Death of a Salesman," "Beyond the Fringe," "King Lear," and "Charley's Aunt."
Although his film test for the Antonioni film "Zabriskie Point" did not ultimately secure him a role in the project, it did lead to another film opportunity, "Daddy's Gone A'Hunting," which helped to introduce him to the film industry. Over the next fifteen years, Scott accumulated an impressive list of credits in both film and television, as well as maintaining a strong presence in the theatre community.
During this period, Scott frequently appeared at the Mark Taper Forum, the Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival, and Theatricum Bottanicum, among other venues. He also had the opportunity to work on Broadway, opposite the renowned actress Colleen Dewhurst in the production "Queen of the Rebels."
In 1981, Scott returned to his native Canada, where he had an acclaimed season at the Stratford Festival, featuring prominent roles in productions such as "Coriolanus," "Wild Oats," and "The Misanthrope." He also performed the role of Salieri in the production of "Amadeus" in Edmonton, which was followed by an offer to star as O'Brien, the lead detective, in the CBS and CTV series "Night Heat."
Produced by the legendary Sonny Grosso, "Night Heat" was a crime drama that aired for ninety-six episodes between 1984 and 1988. Despite the challenges of working on a low-budget series with a demanding shooting schedule, Scott's performance helped to capture a loyal audience for the show.
After completing his work on "Night Heat," Scott moved away from Toronto and returned to his roots on the west coast of Canada, where he purchased a piece of land on Saltspring Island and built a house of his own design. He also married a beautiful nurse, Veronica, whom he had met on the street while filming "Night Heat," and raised two children, Rebecca and Luke.
Although he had stepped back from the spotlight, Scott continued to work in the entertainment industry, appearing in numerous productions across Canada, including the Royal Alex Theatre in Toronto, the Prairie Theatre Exchange in Winnipeg, and the Belfry Theatre in Victoria. He also worked on a variety of television projects and films, including the TV series "V" and "The Returned," as well as the movies "Baal," "Anna's Storm," "The Hamster Cage," and "Becoming Redwood."
