Tony Scott and Brad Pitt
Director Tony Scott talks to Brad Pitt on Spy Game film set in Budapest.

Celebrities, actors and film directors have reacted with shock and disbelief to the suicide of Tony Scott, the man who made Top Gun.

"Deeply saddened to hear the news about Tony Scott. A fine filmmaker and the most charming, modest man," wrote actor Stephen Fry of the 68-year-old director.

"Awful news about Tony Scott. Rest in peace," actor Elijah Wood, who played Frodo in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, said.

British-born Scott jumped from a bridge in Los Angeles, according to police. A suicide note was found at his office in downtown Los Angeles.

"Tony Scott... You left us too soon. How terribly sad. What a lovely, kind human being you were. I will love and miss you," wrote actress Rosario Dawson.

Director Duncan Jones said: "Awww, Tony. Wish you had felt there was a way to keep going. What a sad waste. Tony was a truly lovely man who took me under his wing and ignited my passion to make films."

"RIP Tony Scott - so sad to hear this," tweeted Morgan Spurlock.

"Tony Scott was the ultimate mentor. Once he understood you he released the glorious hounds of inner city research, dangerous frontiers. True Romance changed my life.His greatest film," wrote Donnie Darko director Richard Kelly.

Scott was a master of action movies and directed some of the biggest of the last 20 years. He found fame in 1986, when he directed a young Tom Cruise in Top Gun.

The younger brother of Alien director Ridley Scott, Tony built up his reputation with Beverly Hills Cop II, starring Eddy Murphy, and Days of Thunder.

Born in North Shields , Scott directed some of Hollywood finest actors, among them Gene Hackman, Robert DeNiro, Wesley Snipes, Brad Pitt, Robert Redford and Will Smith.

"No more Tony Scott movies. Tragic day," wrote the former Richie Cunningham of "Happy Days" and world famous director, Ron Howard.