On Sunday August 9th, director Tony Scott jumped to his death from a bridge over the Los Angeles Harbor. Born in North Shields, England to working-class parents, Tony Scott became interested in film-making at a young age. When he was sixteen, he appeared in a short film directed by his brother, Ridley Scott. Ridley Scott is known for being the director of Blade Runner, Gladiator, and most recently, Prometheus. It was through his brother’s encouragement and example that he went into film-making and attended West Hartlepool College of Art and Sunderland Art School. In the 1980s, Tony’s Hollywood career took off with the vampire movie The Hunger. What earned him a place on the A-list, however, was Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise. More recently, he directed The Taking of Pelham 123, The Good Wife, and Unstoppable.
This past Sunday at 12.30 p.m., Tony was seen by witnesses driving on a suspension bridge, the Vincent Thomas Bridge, between San Pedro and Terminal Island. He parked his car and immediately began to climb the 8 to 10 foot fence. Without hesitating for one moment, he threw himself off the bridge, a 185 foot drop into the waters of the Los Angeles Harbor. When witnesses called the police, they arrived to find contact information listed in the vehicle. When investigators searched his office, they also found a suicide note, but the contents of this note have not yet been revealed. No foul play is suspected and an autopsy took place on Monday to determine if health problems were the reason for his suicide. Investigators, however, are continuing to search for any information which could shed light on this tragedy. They are also taking into account reports that he had recently been diagnosed with brain cancer. He left behind a wife and 12-year-old twin sons.
