Tony Scott Had Inoperable Brain Cancer, Source Says

Director Tony Scott shocked the entertainment world and fans the world over when it was reported he had taken his own life by leaping from the Vincent Thomas Bridge Sunday, but an unnamed source with knowledge of the situation says the movie mogul had been diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer.

Tony Scott, 68, was a British-born director best known for the films Top Gun, True Romance, Days of Thunder and Beverly Hills Cop II. 

At about 12:30 Los Angeles time yesterday afternoon, police learned a man had jumped from the bridge after parking a Toyota Prius nearby and scaling a high fence.

Later in the day at about 3 pm, Scott’s body was recovered from the waters below and a positive identification was made.

Reports indicated that inside the car Scott had driven, several suicide notes were found, and that prior to the jump, Scott had showed “no hesitation” on the bridge before he fatally plunged into the river.

Twitter was abuzz with reactions, not only to the news Scott had taken his life, but also that the suicide may have been precipitated by a cancer diagnosis:

Cancer patients are at very high risk for suicide. So sad. Tony Scott Had Inoperable Brain Cancerabcn.ws/PyDRSB (via @abc)

— Mary Beth Williams (@embeedub) August 20, 2012

Update: Tony Scott reportedly found out he had inoperable brain cancer shortly before his suicide: screencrush.com/director-tony-…

— ScreenCrush (@ScreenCrushNews) August 20, 2012

Reports say that Tony Scott had brain cancer now would be a good time to discuss our right to die with dignitypeople.com/people/article…

— Joe Botelho (@theAngrySkeptic) August 20, 2012

Following confirmation of Tony Scott’s death, Simon Halls, his rep, simply confirmed he had died and requested privacy for the family.