A source close to Tony Scott has told ABC News that the "Top Gun" and "Crimson Tide" director had inoperable brain cancer. Scott committed suicide in Los Angeles Sunday by jumping from a bridge.
UPDATE: TMZ's source says reports of Scott having brain cancer are untrue. According to the source, Scott's wife has told authorities that these earlier reports were "absolutely false."
The original article continues below.
Scott was 68 years old. The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office is investigating the death as a suicide.
"I can confirm that Tony Scott has passed away. The family asks that their privacy is respected at this time," read a statement from Scott's spokesman, Simon Halls.
Earlier reporting on the story by the Associated Press included news of a suicide note that was found in Scott's office. Another note, in Scott's parked car, listed contact information for his family.
More from the AP:
The British-born Scott, who lived in Beverly Hills, was producer and director Ridley Scott's younger brother. Distinct visual styles mark both siblings' films – Ridley Scott mastering the creation of entire worlds with such films as "Gladiator," "Blade Runner," "Alien" and this year's "Prometheus," Tony Scott known for hyper-kinetic action and editing on such films as his most recent, the runaway train thriller "Unstoppable," starring regular collaborator Denzel Washington.
Scott was a thrill-seeker himself in his personal life, an avid rock climber who also liked driving fast cars and motorcycles. Still, filmmaking was his real thrill.
"The biggest edge I live on is directing. That's the most scary, dangerous thing you can do in your life," Scott said in an interview for his 1995 naval adventure "Crimson Tide." "The scariest thing in my life is the first morning of production on all my movies. It's the fear of failing, the loss of face and a sense of guilt that everybody puts their faith in you and not coming through."
Tony was the first of the Scott brothers to enjoy blockbuster success with "Top Gun," starring Tom Cruise, the top-grossing film of 1986 at $176 million. Scott teamed with Cruise again four years later on the hit "Days of Thunder." He also had a sequel to "Top Gun" in development.
Filmmaker reactions to Scott's passing: