The Fallon family lost a very good friend yesterday with the passing of legendary filmmaker Tony Scott. Tony and his brother Ridley were the hands-on executive producers of the second season of BMW Films’ “The Hire,” contributing immeasurably to the groundbreaking Internet film series. Not content to stand by when film was rolling, Tony also signed on to direct another short film in the series, “Beat The Devil,” starring Clive Owen, James Brown and Gary Oldman. Never one to take “no” for an answer, when told he couldn’t film a high-speed drag race down the Las Vegas strip, Tony simply picked up the phone and called a famous actor friend who “knew the right people.”

Tony totally immersed himself in BMW Films, working hand-in-hand with the Fallon team on every aspect of the films; from casting, to developing the scripts, to following through on the smallest details, Tony was a selfless partner. Intensively driven, yet a really thoughtful and gentle man, Tony was not only the master of the big-budget action film, but also loved returning to directing commercials, the genre in which he’d honed his rich visual style.

For those of us who had the honor of sitting around a table with Tony Scott—where even the most ardent nonsmokers couldn’t turn down an offer of one of his fine, fat cigars—that’s a time we’ll always savor. Tony, your Fallon family tips our well-worn red caps in your honor.