Duncan Jones
British director of Moon and Source Code.
Gage Skidmore · via Wikipedia: Duncan Jones · CC BY-SA 3.0
Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones, born on 30 May 1971 in Bromley, London, works as a British film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is behind the films *Moon* (2009), *Source Code* (2011), *Warcraft* (2016), and *Mute* (2018). For *Moon*, he received the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. He is the child of singer-songwriter David Bowie and model, actress, and journalist Angie Bowie, who was born in Cyprus to an American mother and a father of Polish ancestry.
Jones was mostly raised by his father and a Scottish nanny, spending time in London, Berlin, and Vevey, Switzerland. He attended the Commonwealth-American School in Lausanne for first and second grade. After his parents divorced in February 1980, his father gained custody of him. At age 12, he went by "Joey," later shortening it to "Joe" in his late teens; he served as best man at his father's 1992 wedding to Iman. Around age 18, he reverted to his birth name. He has a half-sister from his father and Iman, Alexandria "Lexi" Jones (born 2000), and another half-sister, Stacia Larranna Celeste Lipka (born 1980), from his mother's relationship with musician Andrew Lipka. He also has a stepsister, Zulekha Haywood (born 1978), Iman's daughter from her marriage to basketball player Spencer Haywood. Jones earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the College of Wooster in 1995, then began a PhD at Vanderbilt University but left to attend London Film School, graduating in 2001.
Earlier in his career, Jones visited the set of *Labyrinth* while his father was filming and later worked for the Jim Henson Creature Shop. He served as a cameraman at his father's 50th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden in 1997 and at two BowieNet concerts in 2000. He directed in-game cinematics for the political simulator *Republic: The Revolution* and contributed to its scripting. In 2006, he directed a campaign for French Connection, featuring two women fighting and kissing; it drew 127 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority. His first feature, *Moon*, earned seven British Independent Film Award nominations, winning Best British Independent Film and the Douglas Hickox Award, plus two BAFTA nominations, winning him the Outstanding Debut award. He then directed Summit Entertainment's *Source Code*, a science-fiction thriller released on DVD and Blu-ray in July 2011.
- Born
- 30 May 1971
- Field
- Film director, film producer, screenwriter
- Nationality
- British
- Known for
- Moon, Source Code, Warcraft, Mute
Lore & Background
Duncan Jones was born at Bromley Hospital in Bromley, London, on 30 May 1971, the first child of David Bowie and Angie Bowie. His birth prompted his father to write the song 'Kooks' for the 1971 album Hunky Dory. He was mostly raised by his father and his Scottish nanny, Marion Skene, and spent time growing up in London, Berlin, and Vevey, Switzerland. After his parents divorced in 1980, his father was granted custody. He attended Gordonstoun boarding school at age 14, and later graduated with a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the College of Wooster in 1995. He pursued a PhD at Vanderbilt University but left to attend London Film School, graduating in 2001.
Jones visited the film set of Labyrinth while his father was filming and later worked for the Jim Henson Creature Shop. He directed the 2006 campaign for the French Connection fashion label, which generated 127 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority. His first feature film, Moon, won the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut and two British Independent Film Awards. He went on to direct Source Code, Warcraft, and Mute. In July 2018, he announced a science fiction film based on the 2000 AD Comics character Rogue Trooper, which premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on 22 June 2026.
Reader's Guide
Duncan Jones is significant for his contributions to science fiction cinema, particularly with his debut feature Moon, which earned critical acclaim and a BAFTA award. His work often explores themes of identity and technology, as seen in Source Code and Mute. As the son of David Bowie, his career has drawn public interest, but he has established his own reputation as a filmmaker. His later projects, including the video game adaptation Warcraft and the Netflix film Mute, show his range across genres. His ongoing work, such as the Rogue Trooper adaptation, continues to engage with science fiction and animation. Jones's legacy includes his early recognition for debut filmmaking and his sustained work in genre film.
Did You Know?
- Jones's birth prompted his father David Bowie to write the song 'Kooks' for the 1971 album Hunky Dory.
- He was known as 'Zowie Bowie' as a child and later used the nicknames 'Joey' and 'Joe' before reverting to his birth name around age 18.
- He married photographer Rodene Ronquillo on 6 November 2012, the same day she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
More in Band Members & Collaborators
Elsewhere in David Bowie
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced