Director Scott had inoperable cancer, network claims

Tributes have been paid to Top Gun director Tony Scott after he jumped to his death from a bridge in Los Angeles.

ABC News last night claimed that he had inoperable brain cancer, citing a source close to the director.

The 68-year-old, originally from North Shields, England, was best known for Hollywood blockbusters including Days Of Thunder and Beverly Hills Cop II. He was the younger brother of film-maker Ridley, and had just produced the latter’s sci-fi feature Prometheus.

Scott leapt from the Vincent Thomas Bridge spanning San Pedro and Terminal Island in Los Angeles.

Lt Joe Bale of Los Angeles County Coroner’s office said Scott’s death was being treated as a suicide.

A US Coast Guard spokeswoman told local newspaper The Daily Breeze a suicide note was found in Scott’s car, which was found parked on the bridge.

Actor Elijah Wood said: “Awful news about Tony Scott. rest in peace.”

Director Ron Howard tweeted: “No more Tony Scott movies. Tragic day.”

Stephen Fry tweeted: “Deeply saddened to hear the news about Tony Scott. A fine film-maker and the most charming, modest man.”

Shaun of the Dead director Edgar Wright tweeted: “As I hope was evident in my work, I was big fan of his. Rest In Peace, sir.”

Film critic James King said the industry had been left in shock by Scott’s death, adding he would be remembered for his “edge-of-your-seat thrillers”.

He told Sky News: “Go buy his films, watch his films, and you’ll see an incredibly confident director, so for that person to have taken their own life just seems utterly bizarre.

“I think he’ll be remembered as one of the ultimate action directors. He wasn’t ashamed by that. Maybe some critics had a go at him because his films weren’t intellectually challenging. But when they looked as good as they did, who cares? They were incredibly stylish. He trained in fine art, he was an artist.”

A dive team pulled Scott’s body from the water several hours after members of the public alerted emergency services, having seen him jump from the bridge.

Scott, who lived in Beve-rly Hills, was married to the actress Donna Scott, with whom he had twin sons.

Other films produced by Scott included True Romance, Crimson Tide, Enemy Of The State, and Man On Fire.

British actress Keira Knightley, who worked with Scott on his 2005 film Domino, also praised the director, calling him “one of the world’s true originals”.

She said: “Tony Scott was one of the most extraordinary, imaginative men I ever worked with. It was a privilege to have spent the time I did with him. He was a firecracker and one of the world’s true originals. My thoughts go to his family.”

Completed in 1963, Vincent Thomas Bridge is 56m above Los Angeles Harbor at its highest point. Many have taken their lives by jumping from the span.

The bridge has been used in many Hollywood productions, among them Charlie’s Angels and The Fast And The Furious.