Link (http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/tony-scott-director-top-gun-dies-apparent-suicide-52661)

Director Tony Scott jumped off the Vincent Thomas bridge near Long Beach on Sunday and died from his injuries. He was 68.

The Los Angeles coroner confirmed to TheWrap that Anthony David Scott of Beverly Hills jumped off the bridge and died on Sunday. That is the full name of the British-born "Top Gun" and "Crimson Tide" director, who has lived in Los Angeles for many years.

The U.S. Coast Guard told The Daily Breeze that a suicide note was found inside Scott's black Toyota Prius, which was parked on one of the eastbound lanes of the bridge. Officials said that Scott climbed a fence on the south side of the bridge's apex and leapt off "without hesitation" around 12:30 p.m., according to The Breeze.

Scott, the brother and producing partner of Ridley Scott, is best known for high-octane action movies. The Scott brothers' company is Scott Free Productions.

His most recent movies were "Unstoppable" and "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3." He also was a producer of Ridley Scott's recent "Prometheus."

He was also in the process of exploring a sequel to his biggest hit, "Top Gun 2."

The Vincent Thomas Bridge is a suspension bridge over Los Angeles Harbor that links San Pedro with Terminal Island. It appears frequently in films and television.

More to come...

Sad. I've liked many of his films.

:rip: Tony Scott

Link (http://gma.yahoo.com/top-gun-director-tony-scott-had-inoperable-brain-052524341--abc-news-topstories.html)

Tony Scott, director of "Top Gun," "Days of Thunder" and "Crimson Tide," had inoperable brain cancer, a source close to him told ABC News.

The famed director died Sunday after jumping from a bridge in Los Angeles, authorities said.

Police said they received a 911 call at about 12:30 p.m. that an individual had jumped off the Vincent Thomas Bridge. The body was recovered around 3 p.m., when it was identified by authorities as Scott, according to Lt. Joseph Bale of the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office. An autopsy is scheduled to be performed today.

The Coroner's Office found several notes to loved ones in Scott's car, a spokesman told The Associated Press. A suicide note was later found at his office, according to the AP.

"I can confirm that Tony Scott has passed away. The family asks that their privacy is respected at this time," Scott's spokesman, Simon Halls, said in a statement, according to the AP.

Scott, 68, was perhaps best known for directing "Top Gun," starring Tom Cruise in 1986, which went on to gross more than $300 million worldwide, according to IMDB.com. The duo worked again in the 1990 film "Days of Thunder."

The British-born director also frequently worked with Denzel Washington, most recently in the 2010 film "Unstoppable." They collaborated on four other films: "Crimson Tide," "Man on Fire," "Deja Vu" and "The Taking of Pelham 123."

Scott was the younger brother of producer and director Ridley Scott. Together, the brothers formed their own production company, Scott Free Productions. Their company produced the CBS dramas "NUMB3RS" and "The Good Wife."The 2012 blockbuster "Prometheus" was the latest film released by their production company.

Other Tony Scott films include "True Romance," written by Quentin Tarantino, "The Fan," with Robert De Niro, and "Enemy of the State," starring Will Smith.

In a tweet Sunday, director Ron Howard said, "No more Tony Scott movies. Tragic day."

"Most of the obits for Tony Scott will mention "Top Gun" first, but my favorite will always be "True Romance." RIP," tweeted film critic Richard Roeper.

Scott was survived by his wife, Donna, and their twin sons.

ABC News' Tony Scott Report Erroneously States Top Gun Director Had Inoperable Brain Cancer
The Huffington Post | by Rebecca Shapiro
Posted: 08/21/2012


On Monday, ABC News erroneously reported that Top Gun director Tony Scott, who jumped to his death from a Los Angeles bridge over the weekend, had inoperable brain cancer.

As Poynter noted, the report, which cited "a source close to Scott," was then picked up by multiple news outlets, including The Huffington Post, Vanity Fair and People.





Deadline Hollywood challenged the ABC News report that aired on "Good Morning America", stating that "Tony Scott’s widow Donna has told police that the famed filmmaker/TV producer did not have brain cancer, informed insiders tell Deadline."

ABC News updated its original report, changing the headline and cited the Assistant Chief Coroner as stating that Scott's family was unaware that the director had cancer. "ABC News was unable to reach Scott's family to confirm the assistant chief coroner's statement," the story reads.





ABC News has been in some hot water as of late for running with unconfirmed reports too early. During its breaking news coverage of the tragic mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado last month, Brian Ross incorrectly suggested the shooter was linked to the Tea Party.



UPDATE: An ABC News spokesperson said the network is still trying to verify its initial report:

"ABC News continues to report the most recent facts on ABCNews.com, including our previous reporting and the conflicting statement from the coroner. ABC News is attempting to reach Scott's family to confirm the assistant chief coroner's statement.

After speaking with the family or a representative of the family we will update our reporting accordingly. If it comes to light at that time that incorrect information was reported, ABC News will issue a full retraction and apology."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/21/abc-news-tony-scott-inoperable-brain-cancer_n_1817152.html