'Top Gun' Director Tony Scott Commits Suicide By Jumping Off Bridge
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — An autopsy was planned Monday for famed director Tony Scott, who apparently committed suicide by leaping to his death from a bridge, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.
"One of the brightest lights in the industry has gone out. Tony was an accomplished creative and passionate producer and director. As an executive producer of "Numb3rs" and most recently "The Good Wife," he was a longtime friend of CBS, and we are deeply shocked and saddened over this loss. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family," CBS Television Network and CBS Television Studios said in a statement.
Scott, who directed such major movies as "Top Gun" and "Beverly Hills Cop II," was also the brother of director/producer Ridley Scott.
According to a US Coast Guard Lt. on scene, a suicide note was found inside Scott's black Toyota Prius, which was left on the eastbound lanes of the Vincent Thomas Bridge.
Scott, 68, reportedly jumped off the bridge, which spans San Pedro and Terminal Island, around 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
His body, according to TMZ, was recovered about four hours later.
Scott also directed "Enemy of the State," "Crimson Tide," "Days of Thunder," ""Man On Fire," "Unstoppable" and the remake of "The Taking Of Pelham 123."
He was known for wearing his trademark red baseball cap as well as often casting actors he enjoyed working with over and over again, most notably Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise and Christopher Walken.
The mega-successful, British-born Scott, had no fewer than ten projects in production, announced or in pre-production.
According to his imdb.com profile, he was married three times with two of the marriages ending in divorce.
He married actress Donna Scott in 1994 and the couple had twin sons.
