Actor Tom Skerritt, best known for his film roles in “Alien,” “Top Gun,” and the acclaimed television drama “Picket Fences,” has died at age 93.
Skerritt died on Oct. 21 of natural causes, according to his family, who requested privacy at this time. Information for his memorial will be announced at a later date.
“While the world knew Tom through his remarkable acting career, we knew him for his humor, curiosity, wisdom, generosity and the love he brought into our lives,” the family’s statement reads.
“He cared deeply about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world and helping others find and share their own voices.
“We are incredibly grateful for the love and support being shown by his friends, colleagues, and fans,” the statement concluded.
Born in Detroit in 1933, Skerritt served in the U.S. Air Force before pursuing an acting career. His early screen work included appearances in television westerns and military dramas.
His breakthrough role came in 1970 in Robert Altman’s film “M*A*S*H,” in which he played surgeon Duke Forrest, followed by Ridley Scott’s 1979 science-fiction thriller “Alien.” The performance helped propel other roles in major productions.
Seven years later, Skerritt brought an action-packed performance as Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf in “Top Gun.” Reflecting on his real-life experience, he played a flight instructor responsible for training young Navy aviators.
His most celebrated television role came in 1992, where he played Sheriff Jimmy Brock in “Picket Fences.” The role earned him a Primetime Emmy Award in 1993 for outstanding lead actor in a drama series.
“A writer once described me as a character actor locked in a leading man’s body, and I’ve always loved that,” he said in an 1997 interview with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. “It’s a nice compliment. I’ve been able to walk the line between television and features.”
Other notable credits include “The Turning Point,” “Steel Magnolias,” “A River Runs Through It” and “Contact.” He also appeared in “The West Wing,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “The Good Wife,” and “Madam Secretary.”
Beyond his on-screen work, Skerritt made his Broadway debut in the 2013 adaptation of John Grisham’s “A Time to Kill.” He also held an interest in storytelling and creative projects beyond traditional acting.
“You get hired for a film and the roles kept coming for me,” he told The Ottawa Citizen in 1992. “I kept telling myself that if I stuck with acting it would be a really good training for what the problems are in directing.”
“Then the family came along and I had to support them,” he said. “The years flew by and there was a time when I said I would give up acting and really try to get into directing. But it hasn’t worked out that way and I have no regrets.”
He is survived by his third wife, Julie Tokashiki; his five children, Andy, Erin, Matt, Colin, and Emiko; his five grandchildren, Sara, Maddison, Sunny, Louisa, and Georgia; and his two great-grandchildren, Marigold and Ravi.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
