Prolific TV and film producer-director Tony Scott, whose small screen credits included Numb3rs and The Good Wife, died Sunday afternoon of an apparent suicide. He was 68.
According to The Daily Breeze, Scott jumped to his death from the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro, CA. He reportedly left a suicide note inside his car, which was parked on the bridge. (UPDATE: Scott’s family is reportedly denying a claim made by ABC News that he had inoperable brain cancer.)
Although best known for directing big screen blockbusters Top Gun, Days of Thunder, Crimson Tide, and Beverly Hills Cop II, Scott (alongside brother Ridley via their L.A.-based Scott Free Productions) branched out into television in 2005 as a producer on CBS’ Numb3rs. Four years later, the Scott brothers launched CBS’ The Good Wife. Their A&E miniseries Coma is scheduled to premiere in September.
“One of the brightest lights in the industry has gone out,” read a statement from CBS. “Tony was an accomplished creative and passionate producer and director. As an executive producer of Numb3rs, and most recently, The Good Wife, he was a longtime friend of CBS, and we are deeply shocked and saddened over this loss. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family.”
Numb3rs creators Cheryl Heuton and Nick Falacci called Scott “an extraordinarily creative force and an inspired, supportive leader,” adding, “The series would not have made it to air without him. His vision and enthusiasm touched everyone who worked with him. Our thoughts are with his family.”
David Krumholtz, who starred alongside Rob Morrow on the Friday night procedural, penned a tribute to Scott on Twitter Sunday. “He was wild and big and crazy and uncontrollable and he gave it his all, every moment, because he believed in his crew, his cast, and the show,” he wrote. “It saddens me that something inside him told him to take his incredible life spirit away from us, from the film making community. May he rest in peace. What a great dude.”
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