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It’s never a particularly pleasant task to write these memorial pieces, but in this case, I am truly stunned.

 

Tony Scott was one-half of a brother act that has churned out some of the most important films of the last 30 years. Along with his brother Ridley, the English-born Tony has been steadily directing and producing truly memorable and quality work since 1983, and as of this writing has 27 other projects in development. He might not have had as many shiny awards on his mantle as Ridley, but he is responsible for just as many pop culture moments firmly entrenched in our collective consciousness. In fact, the night before last, I was actually watching one his films that just happened to be on TV – The Fan, from 1996, starring Robert De Niro and Wesley Snipes. Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II, Days of Thunder, True Romance, Crimson Tide, Spy Game, and Man on Fire are just some of the other titles that Tony brought to life with a certain visual style that became his signature and oft copied. Taking into account the films he produced or co-produced with his brother, and the resume grows all the more impressive.

 

Tony and Ridley’s latest, highly-anticipated project is “Coma”, an intense 4-part miniseries scheduled to premiere in a few weeks on A&E. His career was in no danger of slowing down. So, naturally, it came as a shock to the entire Hollywood community to wake up to the news this morning that this highly-respected producer/director had taken his own life.

 

Now, reports are pouring in to reveal that Tony had just been diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer, and that this played a part in his fatal decision. It’s hard to imagine what goes through one’s head in times like these, and one can’t also help but wonder if a solution may have indeed presented itself, but, sadly, we will never know now. And with that decision made in the middle of the night on the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro, we have lost one of the finest filmmakers of a generation.

 

Our thoughts go out to his family, including Ridley and his wide Donna, and most especially to Tony’s 12-year-old twin sons, Frank and Max. The rest of us are left to shake our heads and wonder what might have been, and reflect on a body of work that, we at least hope, he was deeply proud of in his final moments.

 

Rest in peace, Tony.

 

 

- Katie Marzullo, YH Staff Editor

katie@younghollywood.com