Tom Cruise pays tribute to Tony Scott, 'Top Gun' director, who commited suicide on LA bridge

GlobalPost

Actors and directors have expressed shock and sorrow at the death of Tony Scott, who died after jumping from a bridge in Los Angeles.

Tom Cruise who starred in 1986’s “Top Gun” and 1990’s “Days of Thunder” for Scott, was quoted in the New York Daily News: "Tony was my dear friend and I will really miss him."

“He was a creative visionary whose mark on film is immeasurable. My deepest sorrow and thoughts are with his family at this time," Cruise's statement continued.

The Associated Press reported that Scott, 68, had committed suicide by jumping from the Vincent Thomas Bridge spanning San Pedro and Terminal Island in Los Angeles about 12:30 p.m. on Sunday local time.

Media reports said the tragedy happened after Scott learned he had inoperable brain cancer.

Los Angeles police Lt. Tim Nordquist said several people called 911 to report that someone had jumped from the Vincent Thomas Bridge, the AP reported.

The Los Angeles Times reported that investigators later found a suicide note in Scott’s office.

According to Forbes, Scott’s Toyota Prius parked on the bridge contained information leading to the discovery of the note.

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

The LA Times published a retrospective piece listing the highlights of Scott's filmography, which along with 1986's smash hit "Top Gun" included "Beverly Hills Cop II," "Days of Thunder," "Crimson Tide," "The Hunger," "Enemy of the State," "Spy Game," "True Romance," "Man on Fire," "Deja Vu," and "Unstoppable."

As well as directing, he served as producer or executive producer on many movies, including this summer’s "Prometheus" directed by his older brother.

His work drew such A-listed actors as Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, Sigourney Weaver and Will Smith, Forbes wrote, while his films were distributed by Disney or Viacom’s Paramount Pictures.

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