Tony Scott Dead of Apparent Suicide; Top Gun Director Was 68

Tony Scott died Sunday after jumping from a Los Angeles County bridge, authorities said. The 68-year-old's death was being investigated as a suicide.

The filmmaker is best known for directing Top Gun, a sequel to which is reportedly in the works. His death was confirmed by his family late yesterday.

"I can confirm that Tony Scott has passed away. The family asks that their privacy is respected at this time," Scott's spokesman, Simon Halls, said.

Reports indicate Scott plunged to his demise from the Vincent Thomas Bridge spanning San Pedro and Terminal Island around 12:30 p.m.

Unlike his brother Ridley Scott, Tony never dazzled with his vision; was a director critics loved to hate for his slick barrage of images at the expense of story.

From Top Gun to Crimson Tide, Beverly Hills Cop 2 and Unstoppable, he was a man of action films, living for sky, sea and earth in the name of movie adrenaline.

Tony Scott was partners with his brother Ridley in their production company, collaborating on a wide variety of film, TV and advertising projects. R.I.P.