Scott Free co-founder Tony Scott dies

August 20, 2012 by Adam Benzine

Acclaimed director Tony Scott (pictured), the co-founder of Scott Free Productions and RSA Films, has died at the age of 68 after committing suicide, according to authorities in LA.

Though best known as the director of a string of Hollywood blockbusters, including Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II, True Romance and Spy Game, British-born Scott was also involved in the factual realm through his work with Scott Free, which he set up with his brother Ridley in 1995.

Among the non-fiction projects Scott Free has recently been involved with are Regeneration, a branded entertainment documentary project for Hyundai; and Japan in a Day, a Japanese adaptation of the Life in a Day documentary format made in collaboration with Fuji TV.

Scott Free worked this year with U.S. net Nat Geo on Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever; and was working with TNT on Shooters, a reality competition series in which 10 up-and-coming stars of the commercial-directing world compete with one another.

Tony and his brother also served as exec producers on the recent History special Gettysburg, which was made to commemorate the U.S. Civil War.

As news broke of Scott’s death, figures from across the media landscape took to the Internet to honor the filmmaker.

Charles Sturridge, chairman of British organization Directors UK, said in a statement: “Tony Scott was a brilliant British director with an extraordinary ability to create energy on screen, both in action and in the creation of character with films like True Romance, Man on Fire and Enemy of the State. He will be greatly missed.”

Meanwhile, documentarian Michael Moore took to Twitter to pay tribute: “True Romance,” he wrote, “The scene with Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper in a Detroit railyard is a classic. RIP Tony Scott.”

Also paying tribute on Twitter was director Morgan Spurlock, who wrote: “RIP Tony Scott – so sad to hear this.”

According to reports citing LA police officials, Scott jumped to his death from the Vincent Thomas suspension bridge over Los Angeles harbor on Sunday afternoon (August 19). Officers found a note in the director’s car, leading to the discovery of a suicide note in his office.

In addition to his brother Ridley, Tony Scott is survived by his third wife, actor Donna Scott, and their two 12-year-old sons, Frank and Max.

Tags: Japan in a Day, Regeneration, Ridley Scott, Ridley Scott Associates, RSA Films, Scott Free Productions, Tony Scott

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