‘Top Gun,' 'M*A*S*H,' And ‘Alien’ Actor Tom Skerritt Dies At 93

Tom Skerritt died on October 21 at the age of 93.
He was known for memorable roles in ‘Alien,’ ‘Top Gun’ and ‘M*A*S*H.’
Skerritt later won an Emmy for playing Sheriff Jimmy Brock on ‘Picket Fences.’

Tom Skerritt, the veteran actor whose more than six-decade career included memorable roles in Alien, Top Gun, M*A*S*H, and Picket Fences, has died, according to People. He was 93 years old.

Skerritt died of natural causes on Oct. 21, according to his family. In a statement, they remembered him for the humor, curiosity, wisdom and generosity he brought to their lives, in addition to the long acting career known to audiences around the world.

Tom Skerritt Became A Familiar Face In Hollywood Classics

MASH, (aka M*A*S*H*), from left: Elliott Gould, Tom Skerritt, Donald Sutherland, 1970, TM & Copyright © 20th Century Fox Film Corp./courtesy Everett Collection

Born in Detroit in 1933, Skerritt served four years in the U.S. Air Force before studying at several colleges, including UCLA. He eventually left school to pursue acting, making his film debut in the 1962 war drama War Hunt.

His career soon placed him in some of the most memorable movies of the next several decades. He appeared as Duke Forrest in Robert Altman’s M*A*S*H, played Captain Dallas aboard the doomed Nostromo in Ridley Scott’s Alien, and became Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun. Other notable films included The Turning Point, Steel Magnolias, A River Runs Through It and Contact.

‘Picket Fences’ Brought Him Emmy-Winning Success

LUCKY, from left: Harry Dean Stanton, Tom Skerritt, 2017. © Magnolia Pictures /courtesy Everett Collection

Skerritt also became a television favorite as Sheriff Jimmy Brock on Picket Fences, which ran from 1992 to 1996. The role earned him two Emmy nominations, and he won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1993. His lengthy television résumé also included appearances on shows including Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Cheers and The West Wing.

Skerritt continued acting well into his later years and also devoted time to helping military veterans. He co-founded the Red Badge Project, which uses storytelling and creative writing to support veterans dealing with trauma. He is survived by his wife, Julie Tokashiki, five children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.