American businessman Steve Bing has died at the age of 55 by suicide, it has been confirmed.

The former partner of actress Liz Hurley - and father of their 18-year-old son Damian Hurley - is said to have jumped to his death from the 27th floor of a Los Angeles apartment block.

According to TMZ, Bing had been "depressed about lack of human contact during quarantine" but it is unknown if that was the reason behind his tragic decision.

After a brief relationship with Hurley, Bing initially denied being the father of Damian but was subsequently proved to be by a DNA test. As of 2018, court documents revealed that he had never met his son.

Former president Bill Clinton paid tribute on Twitter, writing: "I loved Steve Bing very much. He had a big heart, and he was willing to do anything he could for the people and causes he believed in. I will miss him and his enthusiasm more than I can say, and I hope he's finally found peace."

Bing, whose net worth is estimated at $590 million (£474 million), joined the Giving Pledge in 2012, committing him to donate most of his wealth to charity during his lifetime.

In the entertainment industry, Bing is known for writing the film Kangaroo Jack and producing The Polar Express with $100 million of his own money.