The man behind commercial hits such as Top Gun and Beverly Hills Cop II, and critics' favourite True Romance, took his own life on Sunday at the age of 68.

"No more Tony Scott movies. Tragic day," tweeted Ron Howard, director of The Da Vinci Code.

"Tony Scott" was the micro-blogging site's top trending topic early yesterday, followed by True Romance, Top Gun and Crimson Tide, Scott's 1995 submarine thriller starring Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman.

Duncan Jones, who made the acclaimed science-fiction movies Moon and Source Code, wrote: "Just heard about Tony Scott . Tony was a lovely man who took me under his wing [and] ignited my passion to make films.

"Awww Tony. Wish you had felt there was a way to keep going. What a sad waste. My thoughts go out to his wife and beautiful children."

British-born Scott, the younger brother of fellow movie-maker Ridley, is survived by his third wife, Donna, by whom he had two children.

According to Lieutenant Joe Bale, of the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office, witnesses saw Scott parking his car on the Vincent Thomas Bridge and leaping into the water below at about 12:30pm on Sunday.

Katherine Rowe, a spokesman for the film-maker, in a brief statement said: "I can confirm that Tony Scott has indeed passed away," adding only: "The family ask that their privacy be respected at this time."