Vale director Tony Scott, legendary director of Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II and Crimson Tide – and some of the greatest ads of all time
The world advertising and film industry is in shock following news that acclaimed British TVC and film director Tony Scott – co-founder with brother Ridley of RSA Films and Scott Free – has committed suicide today (August 19, 2012) by jumping off the Vincent Thomas Bridge in the San Pedro port district of Los Angeles at around 12:30 local time.
Investigators found contact information in his Toyota Prius, which was parked on the left side of the road near the bridge, and a suicide note in his office. Witnesses said he did not hesitate before jumping.
His films include The Hunger, Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II, The Last Boy Scout, True Romance, Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State, Spy Game, Man on Fire, Déjà Vu, The Taking of Pelham 123 and Unstoppable. He was the younger brother of fellow film director Ridley Scott.
He also directed some of the greatest ads of all time, including Hovis for CDP London in 1974. In recent times he directed the awarded BMW Films ‘Beat the Devil’ film and the Barclay’s ‘Big’ spot.
3 Comments
One of the few directors who knew how to make a decent thriller. They say he had 30 projects or more going on at the time of his death. Why does anyone so talented and so successful ever throw in the towel? We might never know.
Be happy wherever you are, man. You made some great films.
A nice article for those not familiar with him: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/aug/20/tony-scott-rock-n-roll-ridley?newsfee d=true
He did do the Hovis ‘Runaway spot’ in 1979.
One of the creatives was a certain young Bob Isherwood…