Scott was born in Los Angeles, where he spent a significant portion of his childhood accompanying his parents to picket lines, advocating for local civil rights. His father served as the executive director of the University of Southern California's Community Services Center, while his mother worked for Operation Breadbasket and other organizations focused on improving the economic conditions of black communities.
After studying electrical engineering for two years at USC, Scott took a break from his studies to sit in on a friend's acting class, which sparked his passion for acting. He then auditioned for USC's Bachelor of Fine Arts acting conservatory the following semester and was accepted, starting over as a freshman and completing the program in 1986.
In 1987, Scott earned his SAG card by appearing in the feature film "Punchline." Following several equity waiver plays and TV guest appearances, he landed his first TV series regular role as Whoopi Goldberg's son on the short-lived "Bagdad Cafe." The show concluded in 1990, and after a few more years in Hollywood, Scott decided to relocate to New York to pursue his love of theater.
In NYC, Scott worked in various off and off-off Broadway productions, including an invitation to join the elite Drama Department Theatre Company, where he performed Tennessee Williams' three-character play "Kingdom of Earth" alongside Cynthia Nixon and Peter Sarsgaard, directed by John Cameron Mitchell. Scott's most proud theater moment came when he was cast by Lloyd Richards to play Walter Lee in Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun." Although Lloyd fell ill, the production went on to receive rave reviews at Ford's Theater in Washington D.C., directed by Seret Scott in 1995.
Scott remained in New York for a few more years, working in TV, film, and theater before returning to Los Angeles in 1998. In 1999, he was cast in a guest-starring role on the pilot for the CBS drama "First Monday." Producer/director Don Bellasario admired his work enough to create the role of 'Cmdr. Sturgis Turner' for Scott on his long-running hit series "JAG." Scott played the role from 2000 to 2004, when the show was canceled.
He continues to reside and work in Hollywood, with recent notable credits including "The Social Network" and James Cameron's "Avatar." Upcoming credits include J.J. Abrams' next "Star Trek" feature and "The Host," directed by Andrew Niccol, both set for release in 2013.
Scott is the proud father of two sons, Morgan and Daniel.
