Director Tony Scott on location for "The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3" on the streets of Manhattan on May 11, 2008, in New York. Scott died Sunday, August 19, at age 68 in an apparent suicide.
(CNN) -- A private memorial service is planned Saturday for British film director Tony Scott, who apparently committed suicide this week in California.
Scott, best known for the films "Top Gun" and "Beverly Hills Cop II," jumped from a bridge in San Pedro, authorities said.
His death led to reports that the British director suffered from inoperable brain cancer, but his family disputed that he was ailing.
Scott, 68, wrote two notes before his death, including a message left in his Los Angeles office for family members, a coroner official said.
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A second note detailing contact information was found in his Toyota Prius parked nearby, but the notes did not provide a motive for why he took the suicidal plunge, authorities said.
The notes also did not mention any illnesses, diseases or other health issues, Deputy Chief Coroner Ed Winter said. He declined to provide additional details on what the notes entailed.
It will be weeks before the findings from an autopsy are made public, the coroner's office said.
"Our examination is complete, and we will be working towards a comprehensive document once we close the case," Winter said.
An ABC report Monday suggested the director was told by a doctor that he was dying of inoperable brain cancer. The network did not name the source of its information.
"I did talk to the family ... and according to his wife, he did not have brain cancer as reported, and (she) does not know who told ABC that information, which is absolutely false," Winter said.
Scott cemented his reputation for big-budget action films with 1990's "Revenge" starring Kevin Costner and "Days of Thunder" with Tom Cruise. In 1998, he directed "Enemy of the State" with actors Will Smith and Gene Hackman.
His reputation in Hollywood was low-key.
"He wasn't a showy kind of guy," longtime entertainment reporter Jeanne Wolf said.
While Scott's movies garnered box office success, they never received the acclaim that generated Academy Award nominations.
In 2002, Scott and his brother Ridley won an Emmy for the television movie "The Gathering Storm."
Scott also was nominated for the Emmy as a producer for the CBS drama "The Good Wife."
CNN's Kareen Wynter contributed to this report.
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Scott, best known for directing the movie "Top Gun," started working in films as a teenager. He was born in North Shields, England.
Both Scott and his older brother Ridley Scott, right, produced and directed films, enjoying careers that spanned decades.
British-born director Scott on the set of his film "Man on Fire" in Mexico City in 2003.
From left, New Line's Toby Emmerich, Bob Shaye, actress Keira Knightley, director Scott and producer Samuel Hadida arrive at the premiere of "Domino" in Hollywood in 2005.
The Hollywood director arrives at the premiere of Twentieth Century Fox's "Unstoppable" in 2010, in Westwood, California. Scott was often seen in a faded red cap.
Scott directed several action movies, including "Crimson Tide" and "The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3," which starred Denzel Washington.
Scott and his family celebrate the premiere of the movie "Unstoppable" in October 2010.
Scott was a producer on the film "Prometheus" as well as the hit TV show "The Good Wife."
Actor Eddie Murphy in 1987 film "Beverly Hills Cop II." The action movie, Scott's first to follow box office hit "Top Gun," helped make him a household name.
Scott made a name for directing big-budget action films, including 1998's "Enemy of the State," featuring Will Smith and Gene Hackman.
The 2010 film "Unstoppable," featuring Chris Pine and Denzel Washington, was Scott's last.
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