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Marc Wolff is an American-born pilot, aerial coordinator, and film director who rose from a decorated military career to become a world leader in aerial cinematography. Raised in Hackensack, New Jersey, he studied industrial engineering before entering the U.S. Army, where he became the military's youngest Captain at age 21. His five-year tour of duty included commanding a helicopter platoon during a year of combat operations in South Vietnam—earning him a Bronze Star and 22 Air Medals—as well as serving a two-year tour in West Germany.

Following his honorable discharge in 1971 and advanced flight training in Florida, Wolff moved to Britain in 1972 to obtain his Airline Transport Pilot’s license. After four years as a commercial chief pilot, he founded Flying Pictures in 1976. The company quickly became a global leader in providing aviation services to the entertainment industry. Over a prolific career spanning 62 countries, Wolff has worked on more than 200 feature films and 160 commercials, executing highly complex stunts in extreme environments.

Wolff's historic achievements include becoming the first person to fly a hot air balloon in Moscow's Red Square (1991) and organizing the breathtaking mid-air plane-to-plane transfer stunt for the film Cliffhanger, which earned him The Guardian's "Alternative Oscar" for Best Stunt (1994). His career was also spotlighted globally in the Discovery Channel documentary Shoot to Thrill. In 2012, he achieved mainstream recognition for coordinating and flying the iconic "Queen and James Bond" helicopter sequence for the London Olympics Opening Ceremony.

After decades of industry leadership, Wolff resigned from Flying Pictures in March 2020 to focus on directing second units and action sequences, utilizing extensive training from institutions like the London Film School. A British citizen since 1987, he currently resides in London. He has two children: Lily, an award-winning theatre director, and Henry, an Oscar and BAFTA-winning special effects technician.

Early Life & Education

• Childhood: Raised in Hackensack, New Jersey (a suburb of New York City).
• University: Studied Industrial Engineering at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey.
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Military Service (Late 1960s – 1971)

• Commission: Attended infantry officer training school, becoming a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
• Flight School: Trained as a helicopter pilot in Texas and Georgia.
• Vietnam War: Served a one-year combat tour in South Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and platoon leader, commanding a flight of 8 helicopters.
• West Germany: Served a two-year tour as a mechanized infantry company commander and battalion intelligence officer.
• Rank & Discharge: Promoted to Captain at age 21 (the youngest Captain in the US Army at the time). Honorably discharged in November 1971 with a Bronze Star and 22 Air Medals.

Commercial Aviation Career (1971 – 1976)

• Advanced US Training: Attended Flight Safety, Inc. in Vero Beach, Florida, earning commercial airplane, instrument, multi-engine, and flight instructor ratings.
• Move to Britain (1972): Trained at Oxford Air Training School, securing a British Airline Transport Pilot’s license for helicopters and a commercial balloon pilot's license.
• Commercial Pilot: Worked four years for a UK helicopter company, mastering external lifting, mapping, surveys, agricultural spraying, and aerial filming. Resigned as chief pilot and director in 1976.

Film Industry & Flying Pictures (1976 – Present)

• Company Founder (1976): Launched a worldwide aviation service for the film and TV industry, which evolved into Flying Pictures, an industry leader.
• Aerial Specialist: Participated in over 200 feature films, 160 commercials, and numerous documentaries.
• Transition to Directing (2005): Began directing second unit and action sequences on major feature films.
• Company Resignation (March 2020): Left Flying Pictures to focus entirely on directing, action sequences, and special flying/stunt projects.

Major Milestones & Awards

• 1987: Became a British Citizen and took up hot air ballooning.
• 1991: Became the first person to fly a hot air balloon in Red Square, Moscow.
• 1994: Won The Guardian's "Alternative Oscar" for Best Stunt for coordinating a high-altitude mid-air plane-to-plane stunt transfer in the movie Cliffhanger.
• 1997s (approx.): Profiled in the Discovery Channel global documentary Shoot to Thrill, filmed during production of the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies.
• 2012: Received the Matthew Allwork Memorial Award for "Services to the International Film Industry."
• 2012: Coordinated and flew the famous "Queen and James Bond" helicopter stunt sequence for the London Olympics Opening Ceremony.
• 2017: Awarded the Bert Easy Award by the British Society of Cinematographers (BSC) for his contributions to aerial cinematography.