Damn, Tony Scott…

At this point, sad as it is, you come to expect tragedy from Hollywood. It’s a tough town, and produces more early deaths than it should. But the passing of Tony Scott is exceptionally haunting.

The director jumped from a California bridge yesterday after leaving a suicide note, though no one is stating his motivations publicly as of yet. Scott was a fantastic director (as is his brother Ridley), and his list of classic films is massive from True Romance to Top Gun to Enemy of the State to Man on Fire. The man knew action, that’s for sure, and I always looked forward to his next feature.

Suicide is still pretty taboo in this country, but it needs to be talked about more. For example, more soldiers have now killed themselves than have actually died in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. If you or anyone you know has been struggling with these sorts of thoughts, talk to someone about it at the suicide hotline (800.273.8255). Perhaps some good can come of this if people decide to get help in the wake of Scott’s own tragic decision.

Chime in with your own thoughts about the man below.

Update: Scott just found out he had inoperable brain cancer before his suicide. Factor that into the “legitimacy” of the decision as you will.

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7 Comments

  1. I was always a huge fan of his work with Man on Fire being my favorite, it was such a visceral movie and that was tony Scott through and through. Hell, the guy made a hell of an entertaining movie about a runaway train. Ridley may be the more talented of the two but I an honestly say I was more consistently entertained by Tony’s work.

  2. My thoughts go out to Tony Scott’s family and friends. Suicide is a tough decision for the person choosing to go through with it, but it also leaves irreparable and severe emotional damage to those loved ones left behind.

    I’m not one to bring this up in normal conversation (and am definitely not looking for sympathy points), but I have dealt with the loss of my two closest, most cherished friends through military related suicide and accidental drug overdose in a post-military life. I spent years trying to come to terms with this. All of my funnest, greatest high school memories involve both of these two individuals. I loved these guys like brothers. I lost years of my own life dealing with their untimely passing. I never touched the drugs they were using to cope, but I definitely isolated myself in a life of endless marijuana and drinking. I realized I was doing nothing better than they were, just killing myself very slowly. I realized that’s no way to live and sought treatment and the proper support.

    My point is: It never fully heals for those loved ones still here dealing with a tragic loss. But there is TREATMENT and SUPPORT that is offered throughout all major cities if your family is not fully equipped to help you deal with the situation. You have to be open to the process but it is comforting and helpful. You’ll never fully heal, just being honest, but it will help you to realize you’re still here and your life MUST press on, and that every day is worth living.

  3. I’m with trendless. Nice touch, Paul.

    As for Scott, one of my friends once remarked that a lot of directors get so caught up in making great movies, that they forget to make good ones. And Tony Scott never forgot to make good movies.

    Though he’s also hit greatness once or twice, which is more than most.

    Rest in peace.

  4. I had a sneaking suspicion his suicide was due to some kind of terminal illness – it was the only thing that made sense. My wife works as an LPN in a nursing home and more than once she’s come home ballin’ because someone she came to truly care for was beyond help, so suicide is a topic that has come up between us in the past. Not to take anything away from what you said above, Tim, because I agree with you…. but in this case, taking my own life is an option I would consider – if I was much older and terminally ill or in severe pain. I don’t think I would want to be a burden to others just to have a few more years of laying helplessly in a bed. I guess, I’m just saying I understand his mind-frame, and I didn’t think it’s quite the same as suicidal depression or drug overdose.

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