RIP, Tony Scott: 1944 – 2012

(via KTLA, Contra Costa Times and The Wrap)

British film director Tony Scott, known for such Hollywood blockbusters as “Top Gun,” “Days of Thunder,” “Beverly Hills Cop II,” “True Romance” and “The Taking of Pelham 123,” jumped to his death Sunday from the Vincent Thomas Bridge spanning San Pedro and Terminal Island, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s officials. He was 68.

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.

Officers from the LAPD, the CHP and the U.S. Coast Guard worked together to pull Scott’s body from the water and bring it to a dock in Wilington, where it was turned over to Los Angeles County coroner’s officials.

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.