Tony Scott Leaves Behind Wife Donna Wilson and Twin Sons; Commits Suicide [Photo]
Director Tony Scott was reportedly battling inoperable brain cancer before he jumped to his death off of the Vincent Thomas Bridge on August 20.
"I can confirm that Tony Scott has passed away. The family asks that their privacy is respected at this time," his family spokesman said in a statement.
Scott, 68, reportedly left a suicide in his parked Toyota Prius and his office before taking the fatal leap in San Pedro, Calif.
Scott is said to have taken the leap without hesitation. Witnesses say they said Scott park his car on the bridge in the afternoon, before getting out and scaling the 8-to 10-foot fence with the clear intention of committing suicide.
His body was pulled out by a dive team with the Los Angeles Police three hours after the actual suicide took place. His body was taken to the dock in Wilmington and then turned over to the coroner's office, according to the Huffington Post. Police and Coast Guard had to use sonar equipment to find the director's body in the waters under the bridge.
One lane of the eastbound side of the bridge was closed off while police investigated the scene.
The 6,060-foot Vincent Thomas bridge connects San Pedro with Terminal Island and rises 185 feet at its highest point, hanging over the Los Angeles Harbor. It was named after California Assemblyman Vincent Thomas and was erected to replace the ferries that used to be the only source of transportation to cross over the main channel of the harbor.
Scott was know as the director of the Tom Cruise hit "Top Gun" and "Man on Fire" as well as a co-producer on the television series' "The Good Wife" and "NUMB3RS."
Tom Cruise released a statement in light of the tragic 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."
Director Ron Howard tweeted: "No more Tony Scott movies. Tragic day.
Scott was born in England and with his brother, Ridley, ran the production company Scott Free Productions. He is survived by his third wife Donna Wilson Scott and twin sons.
Donna is a former model and actress. She landed a role in "Days of Thunder" in 1990, and later went on to marry Scott, who directed the film.