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By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, August 20, 3:26 AM
LOS ANGELES — Tony Scott, director of such Hollywood hits as “Top Gun,” ‘’Days of Thunder” and “Beverly Hills Cop II,” died Sunday after jumping from a Los Angeles County bridge, authorities said.
The 68-year-old Scott’s death was being investigated as a suicide, Los Angeles County Coroner’s Lt. Joe Bale said.
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.
The British-born Scott, who lived in Beverly Hills, was producer and director Ridley Scott’s younger brother. Distinct visual styles mark both siblings’ films — Ridley Scott mastering the creation of entire worlds with such films as “Gladiator,” ‘’Blade Runner,” ‘’Alien” and this year’s “Prometheus,” Tony Scott known for hyper-kinetic action and editing on such films as his most recent, the runaway train thriller “Unstoppable,” starring regular collaborator Denzel Washington.
Scott was a thrill-seeker himself in his personal life, an avid rock climber who also liked driving fast cars and motorcycles. Still, filmmaking was his real thrill.
“The biggest edge I live on is directing. That’s the most scary, dangerous thing you can do in your life,” Scott said in an interview for his 1995 naval adventure “Crimson Tide.” ‘’The scariest thing in my life is the first morning of production on all my movies. It’s the fear of failing, the loss of face and a sense of guilt that everybody puts their faith in you and not coming through.”
Tony was the first of the Scott brothers to enjoy blockbuster success with “Top Gun,” starring Tom Cruise, the top-grossing film of 1986 at $176 million. Scott teamed with Cruise again four years later on the hit “Days of Thunder.” He also had a sequel to “Top Gun” in development.
But Ridley Scott later managed more and bigger hits than his brother and earned a level of critical respect never achieved by Tony Scott. “Gladiator” won the best-picture Academy Award for 2000 and earned Ridley Scott one of his three best-director nominations; Tony Scott never was in the running for an Oscar, and critics often slammed his movies for emphasizing style over substance.
Tony Scott bombed with his debut, 1983’s supernatural romance “The Hunger,” with David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve.
He vaulted into Hollywood’s top ranks the next time out, with “Top Gun,” followed a year later by “Beverly Hills Cop II,” both with producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
“I like changing the pace of my life, changing my discipline. It gives me ideas for how to see the world differently,” Scott said in a 2007 interview.
Besides “Unstoppable,” Scott worked with Washington on four other movies: “Crimson Tide,” ‘’Man on Fire,” Deja Vu” and “The Taking of Pelham 123.”
In a tweet Sunday, director Ron Howard said, “No more Tony Scott movies. Tragic day.”
Completed in 1963, the 6,060-foot Vincent Thomas Bridge links rises 185 feet at its highest point above the Los Angeles Harbor. Many have taken their lives by jumping from the span.
LOS ANGELES — Tony Scott, director of such Hollywood hits as “Top Gun,” ‘’Days of Thunder” and “Beverly Hills Cop II,” died Sunday after jumping from a Los Angeles County bridge, authorities said.
The 68-year-old Scott’s death was being investigated as a suicide, Los Angeles County Coroner’s Lt. Joe Bale said.
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.
The British-born Scott, who lived in Beverly Hills, was producer and director Ridley Scott’s younger brother. Distinct visual styles mark both siblings’ films — Ridley Scott mastering the creation of entire worlds with such films as “Gladiator,” ‘’Blade Runner,” ‘’Alien” and this year’s “Prometheus,” Tony Scott known for hyper-kinetic action and editing on such films as his most recent, the runaway train thriller “Unstoppable,” starring regular collaborator Denzel Washington.
Scott was a thrill-seeker himself in his personal life, an avid rock climber who also liked driving fast cars and motorcycles. Still, filmmaking was his real thrill.
“The biggest edge I live on is directing. That’s the most scary, dangerous thing you can do in your life,” Scott said in an interview for his 1995 naval adventure “Crimson Tide.” ‘’The scariest thing in my life is the first morning of production on all my movies. It’s the fear of failing, the loss of face and a sense of guilt that everybody puts their faith in you and not coming through.”
Tony was the first of the Scott brothers to enjoy blockbuster success with “Top Gun,” starring Tom Cruise, the top-grossing film of 1986 at $176 million. Scott teamed with Cruise again four years later on the hit “Days of Thunder.” He also had a sequel to “Top Gun” in development.
But Ridley Scott later managed more and bigger hits than his brother and earned a level of critical respect never achieved by Tony Scott. “Gladiator” won the best-picture Academy Award for 2000 and earned Ridley Scott one of his three best-director nominations; Tony Scott never was in the running for an Oscar, and critics often slammed his movies for emphasizing style over substance.
Tony Scott bombed with his debut, 1983’s supernatural romance “The Hunger,” with David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve.
He vaulted into Hollywood’s top ranks the next time out, with “Top Gun,” followed a year later by “Beverly Hills Cop II,” both with producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
“I like changing the pace of my life, changing my discipline. It gives me ideas for how to see the world differently,” Scott said in a 2007 interview.
Besides “Unstoppable,” Scott worked with Washington on four other movies: “Crimson Tide,” ‘’Man on Fire,” Deja Vu” and “The Taking of Pelham 123.”
In a tweet Sunday, director Ron Howard said, “No more Tony Scott movies. Tragic day.”
Completed in 1963, the 6,060-foot Vincent Thomas Bridge links rises 185 feet at its highest point above the Los Angeles Harbor. Many have taken their lives by jumping from the span.
