Hollywood in shock as British director Tony Scott commits suicide

Hollywood has been left mourning the life and legacy of British director Tony Scott, who committed suicide aged 68 on Sunday 20^thAugust at 12.30pm local time. Without hesitation, Scott jumped off the Vincent Thomas Bridge in Los Angeles in front of several bystanders. His body was pulled from the river by Los Angeles Port Police only hours later after 911 calls from multiple witnesses.

Tony Scott was an incredible director, a master of action and visually sublime: his unique and fresh style inspired a generation of film-makers. His prolific career took him from North Shields in Tyneside to Hollywood, beginning by making numerous television commercials with his brother Ridley Scott before both moved into feature films. Unlike Ridley – his critically-appraised brother and director of such films as Gladiator and Blade Runner – Tony Scott was never nominated for an Academy Award.

Despite critics’ snubs of Scott, who accused him of placing style over substance, he had huge commercial success and a name associated with the blockbuster action of Man on Fire, Déjà Vu, Spy Game and Enemy of the State. His most famous film was arguably Top Gun, a film that worldwide grossed $344.8million and gave Scott his permanent seat in Hollywood.

Three times married, Scott leaves behind actress-wife Donna W Scott and two children. He left an apparent suicide note in his office as more details emerge to explain the reasons behind his suicide.

Aware of his critics but more conscious of his good fortune, he attributed his northern routes for the closeness of his family and his work ethic. Scott said about his and his brother’s directorial careers: “I think we’re lucky because there are very few people in life who get to do what we’re doing.”

At the time of his death he was currently working with Ridley on a film based on a best-seller by Bill O’Reilly, Killing Lincoln.

First reactions and tributes from Hollywood came through Twitter; fellow director Ron Howard immediately commented: “No more Tony Scott movies. Tragic day.”

Aimee Latimer