British film director Tony Scott has died after jumping from a bridge in Los Angeles, US authorities said today.
The 68-year-old, originally from North Shields, was best known for Hollywood blockbusters Top Gun, Days Of Thunder and Beverley Hills Cop II. He recently announced plans for a sequel to the Air Force movie. He was the younger brother of film-maker Ridley Scott.
Tony Scott's sudden death has shocked his friends and admirers in Hollywood
Scott leapt from the Vincent Thomas Bridge spanning San Pedro and Terminal Island in Los Angeles.
The father-of-two's publicist, Simon Halls, told The Telegraph: “I can confirm that Tony Scott has indeed passed away.
“The family asks that their privacy be respected at this time.”
The 68-year-old Scott's death was being investigated as a suicide, Los Angeles County Coroner's Lt. Joe Bale stated.
AP reports that several people called 911 around 12:35 p.m. to report that someone had jumped from the Vincent Thomas Bridge spanning San Pedro and Terminal Island in Los Angeles Harbor, according to Los Angeles police Lt. Tim Nordquist.
A dive team with Los Angeles Port Police pulled the body from the murky water several hours later, Nordquist said. Scott's body was taken to a dock in Wilmington and turned over to the county coroner's office.
One lane of the eastbound side of the bridge was closed to traffic during the investigation. Cargo vessels moved at reduced speeds through the east side of the port's main channel during the search, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Investigators found a note in Scott's car, which was parked on the bridge, with contact information included. A suicide note was later found at his office.
Film director Duncan Jones, who directed Moon and Source Code, wrote on Twitter: "Just heard about Tony Scott news. Horrible... Tony was a truly lovely man who took me under his wing & ignited my passion to make films."
He added:
Director Ron Howard also paid tribute:
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