Hollywood actor Tom Skerritt has died at the age of 93 after an illustrious film career.
The Detroit-born actor was best known for his playing a flight instructor on Top Gun, a sheriff on series Picket Fences, and a doomed captain in Alien.
His family revealed that Skerritt died on October 21 from natural causes.
“He was a loving husband to Julie; father to Andy, Erin, Matt, Colin, and Emiko; grandfather to Sara, Maddison, Sunny, Louisa, and Georgia; and great-grandfather to Marigold and Ravi,” his family said in a statement published by People.
“We are heartbroken by his loss.
“While the world knew Tom through his remarkable acting career, we knew him for his humour, curiosity, wisdom, generosity, and the love he brought into our lives.”
His family also praised the Emmy Award winner’s passion for “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.
“We ask for privacy as our family grieves. Information regarding a memorial will be shared at a later date.”
Skerritt’s film debut was in 1962 alongside Robert Redford and Sydney Pollack in The Rainmaker before his breakout role came along in the 1970 film M*A*S*H.
Over his six-decade career, the actor amassed more than 150 credits and received two Emmy Nominations; both for his role in television series Picket Fences.
He won outstanding lead actor for that role in 1993.
Other notable roles included playing Julia Roberts’ father in 1989 hit film Steel Magnolias alongside Dolly Parton, and a desperate sheriff in an adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dead Zone.
The official Top Gun Movie Instagram page paid tribute to the late actor in a touching post.
“Tom Skerritt made everyone around him fly higher,” the caption read.
“Honoring a gifted actor and a true wingman.”
It was accompanied by an image of Skerritt from the film.