Director Tony Scott – brother of Ridley – dies aged 68
The film world is in shock with the news that director Tony Scott – brother and producing partner of Ridley – has taken his own life at the age of 68, jumping from the Vincent Thomas Bridge in LA.
Reports say that two notes have been found – one in his car and one in his office – though there is no confirmation of what they contained.
Born in North Shields, in the north-east England, Scott followed his feature debut – the art-house vampire movie The Hunger – with the iconic blockbuster Top Gun. There then followed a string of hits, including The Last Boy Scout, Beverly Hills Cop 2, True Romance and Enemy of The State. Some of his best movies were collaborations with star Denzel Washington, including Crimson Tide, Man on Fire, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 and Unstoppable.
While Tony Scott may not have garnered the same critical acclaim as Ridley, his movies were unapologetic, crowd pleasing pop-corn entertainment, and his style influenced a generation of film-makers.
Away from the director’s chair, Tony and brother Ridley ran production company Scott Free, and the pair led a consortium which purchased the UK’s historic Shepperton Studios in 1995, renovating and expanding the facilities before merging with Pinewood Studios in 2001.
The Scotts had recently finished work on a new mini-series, Coma, which is due to air in September, while Tony had recently begun work on the long-awaited Top Gun 2, which was in active pre-production.
A few months ago, the BFI released an early short film – “Boy and Bicycle” – directed by Ridley Scott, and starring a young Tony.
Tony Scott was a hugely popular and well-liked film-maker amongst his peers, a number of who took to Twitter to share their thoughts and memories.
No more Tony Scott movies. Tragic day
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) August 20, 2012
Just heard about Tony Scott news.Horrible…Tony was a truly lovely man who took me under his wing & ignited my passion to make films.
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) August 20, 2012
Tony Scott. Damn. Great knowing you, buddy. Thanks for the inspiration, advice, encouragement, and the decades of great entertainment.
— Robert Rodriguez (@Rodriguez) August 20, 2012
Can’t quite believe we have lost the brilliance of Tony Scott, as a filmmaker and a friend.
— Frank Marshall (@LeDoctor) August 20, 2012
Tony GAVE me my commercial career at a time when when the marquee should’ve said: “Films by Tony Scott, John Woo & Who The Fuck Is That Guy”
— Joe Carnahan (@carnojoe) August 20, 2012
Tony always sent personal, handwritten notes & always drew a cartoon caricature of himself, smoking a cigar, with his hat colored in red.
— Joe Carnahan (@carnojoe) August 20, 2012
‘Man On Fire’ is a masterpiece. This is Tonyon the cusp of 60, pulling off something that his peers would be at a loss to even attempt.
— Joe Carnahan (@carnojoe) August 20, 2012
Finally, a nice piece from a contributor to the website Popbitch, a site normally known for a more salacious tone of celebrity gossip, who recounts a friend’s memories of working for Tony Scott on a Coca Cola commercial many years ago:
When I had just moved to LA, 20 years ago, an agent insisted that I audition for an international Coke commercial, because it was being directed by Tony Scott. I was to play a hot model in a swim suit, on the beach with her guy who drinks the coke and goes on an acid trip of some kind in his mind.
I couldn’t understand why anyone would waste my time this way! Hot model on a beach in a bathing suit? He said, “Look, they want to see you, so go.” I went. I felt RIDICULOUS in the waiting room with all of the actual models. They called my name, I went in, They told me to just be the girl on the beach in the background while the guy did his thing for camera.
I booked this crazy commercial and on my one shoot day, Tony Scott introduced himself and said, “Bet you thought this wasn’t yours, huh?” “Yeah, I’m still not sure why you cast me, but thanks!.” ” I cast you because we saw over 100 girls for this and you were the only one who created a whole life for herself on that audition beach towel and I thought, I don’t need a hot girl in this spot, I need a good fucking actress.”
Then he called me in for the next two days even though I wasn’t needed because he knew I needed the money. So, Tony Scott may have thought of me as ugly and poor, but he thought of me before anyone else in town had…and I have thought of that often. R.I.P.
Tony Scott 1944 – 2012
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