Director Tony Scott Dies in Apparent Suicide

CNN reports that Director Tony Scott died in an apparent suicide yesterday, jumping off San Pedro, California's Vincent Thomas Bridge. Lt. Joe Bale of the Los Angeles coroner's office confirmed the news of a suicide stating, "There's nothing to indicate it is anything else at this time." According to a coroner's office statement, a passerby witnessed the jump and notified 911. A suicide note was later found in the director's office.

Scott was born in North Shields, England in 1944 and first worked as an actor in older brother Ridley Scott's film "Boy and Bicycle."

In 1986, Scott helmed his first major hit, "Top Gun," starring Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis. Eddie Murphy's action comedy "Beverly Hills Cop II" quickly followed. His other big budget action films included 1990's "Revenge" starring Kevin Costner and "Days of Thunder," with Tom Cruise. Scott directed Will Smith and Gene Hackman in 1998's "Enemy of the State."

In 2002, the ScOtt Brothers received an Emmy Award for the television movie "The Gathering Storm." Scott also was nominated for the Emmy as a producer for the CBS drama "The Good Wife." He was currently serving as executive producer of the TV miniseries "Coma," which will air later this year.

Fellow directors, actors and fans reacted to the tragic news on Twitter. Posted director and producer Joe Carnahan, "Tony Scott as a friend and a mentor was irreplaceable. Tone, wherever you are, I love you man. RIP."

Actor and director Adam Shankman posted that his heart stopped when he heard the news of the "tragic death" of one of "(our) most inspiring directors, Tony Scott. Rest in Peace Tony. U will be missed so...,"

Director Ron Howard posted a simple, "Tragic day."

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