Tony Scott. Photograph by Ron Phillips/Touchstone
Tony Scott, director of Top Gun, Enemy of the State, True Romance, Crimson Tide and the superb Spy Game, has died after jumping off a Los Angeles bridge on Sunday. The 68 year-old, originally from North Shields, North Tyneside, died after he plunged almost 200 feet from the Vincent Thomas Bridge.
Witnesses said he climbed a fence on the south side of the bridge’s apex and leapt off “without hesitation” around 12:30 p.m.
A suicide note was found inside Scott’s black Toyota Prius, which was parked on one of the eastbound lanes of the bridge, said U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Jennifer Osburn.
Authorities used sonar equipment to track the man in the port’s murky waters and his body was recovered by a dive team around 4:30 p.m., Alva said. Scott’s body was taken to a dock in Wilmington and turned over to the county coroner.
As always suicide is such a crazy thing to do and he must have been in a bad place for this to happen. It is so sad for him and his family.
Ivan Dunleavy, Chief Executive, Pinewood Shepperton made the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic news that Tony Scott has died. He was not only an incredibly gifted filmmaker and ambassador for the UK film industry, he was a significant part of the history of Shepperton Studios. He directed some of the most successful films of all times and at Shepperton these included The Hunger (1981), Spy Game (2001) and Tony most recently produced Prometheus (2012) directed by his brother Ridley. He will be sadly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”
Scott had loads of projects in the works including Top Gun 2. He made so many great movies. This is an absolute loss.
Our thoughts are with his family.
Here are a few tweets about the man from those in the movie world:
No more Tony Scott movies. Tragic day
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) August 20, 2012
Tony Scott…. You left us too soon. How terribly sad. What a lovely, kind human being you were. I will love and miss … http://t.co/3zo214cz
— Rosario Dawson (@rosariodawson) August 20, 2012
I've been extremely fortunate in my career. A career I wouldn't have without Tony Scott's persistence, love and relentless support.
— Joe Carnahan (@carnojoe) August 20, 2012
Truly sad news of Tony Scott's death. What a shock for everyone. He will no doubt be greatly missed.
— Hayley Atwell (@HayleyAtwell) August 20, 2012
Tony Scott, rest in peace. How horribly sad.
— Kat Dennings (@OfficialKat) August 20, 2012
R.i.p. Tony Scott. Top Gun changed the movie world. True Romance changed me. You will be missed sir!
— Daniel Wu (@danielwuyanzu) August 20, 2012
Tony Scott. Damn. Great knowing you, buddy. Thanks for the inspiration, advice, encouragement, and the decades of great entertainment.
— Robert Rodriguez (@Rodriguez) August 20, 2012
Working with Tony Scott was like a glorious road trip to Vegas on desert back roads, a wild man behind the wheel, grinning. I felt safe.
— Richard Kelly (@JRichardKelly) August 20, 2012
Tony Scott. Tony Scott was one of the, if not the, warmest and generous directors for whom I've ever worked. … http://t.co/BqwjUWTS
— Adam Goldberg (@TheAdamGoldberg) August 20, 2012
Shocked to hear that Tony Scott appears to have committed suicide. The Hunger was a big inspiration to me at art school.
— Dave McKean (@DaveMcKean) August 20, 2012
D.E.P. Tony Scott pic.twitter.com/YXEkFeFQ
— 20th Century Fox (@20thCFoxSp) August 20, 2012
