Director Tony Scott jumps from Vincent Thomas Bridge *

There were reports earlier this afternoon of a man jumping from the high bridge that connects San Pedro to Terminal Island in the Port of Los Angeles area. The coroner has identified the man as Tony Scott, 68, the British film director and TV producer known for such films as "Top Gun," "Days of Thunder," "Beverly Hills Cop II" and "The Taking of Pelham 123." He is the brother of director Ridley Scott and lived in Beverly Hills.

From the Daily Breeze:

Scott, 68, climbed a fence on the south side of the bridge's apex and leapt off "without hesitation" around 12:30 p.m., according to the Coroner's Department and port police.

A suicide note was found inside Scott's black Toyota Prius, which was parked on one of the eastbound lanes of the bridge, said U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Jennifer Osburn.

Scott directed Tom Cruise in "Top Gun," one of the highest-grossing films of 1986, and worked with the actor again four years later on the hit "Days of Thunder," which also featured his third and current wife, actress Donna Scott. The couple have twin boys.

Scott and his older brother, producer Ridley Scott, were co-producers on the CBS dramas "NUMB3RS" and "The Good Wife." The pair recently wrapped "Coma," a four-hour, two-night medical thriller starring Ellen Burstyn set for release next month on A&E.

His body was recovered in the water about 4:30 p.m. this afternoon, the Breeze says. Here is Scott's IMDb page.

* 10:30 p.m. update: An LA Times story tonight says that the suicide note was found in Scott's office, not in his car.

Monday update: Scott had inoperable brain cancer, ABC News has reported.

Monday night update: Now ABC News says the brain cancer report is in doubt: His family "was not aware Scott had cancer, Los Angeles County Coroner Ed Winter told ABC News station KABC in Los Angeles."