M*A*S*H star dies aged 93 as family break their silence

M*A*S*H and Picket Fences star Tom Skerritt has died of natural causes at age 93, leaving behind an incredible film and TV legacy and over 150 on-screen credits.

The actor died of natural causes on October 21, as his family shared in a heartbreaking statement announcing his passing.

"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. We are heartbroken by his loss," they told People.

"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."

His family added that Tom would be remembered for being passionate 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. We ask for privacy as our family grieves. Information regarding a memorial will be shared at a later date," they concluded.

Tom Skerritt's extraordinary life

Tom, who was one of the most prolific actors in Hollywood, was born and raised in Detroit and joined the US Air Force after high school. After leaving the Air Force following a four-year term, he studied English at Wayne State University before transferring to UCLA and dipping his toes in the acting world.

Tom was discovered while performing in a play at UCLA and was given his first on-screen role alongside Robert Redford and Sydney Pollack in 1962's War Hunt.

After his breakthrough role in 1970's M*A*S*H, the precursor to the smash-hit series of the same name, the star found himself in several iconic films, like 1977's Turning Point, 1979's Alien, 1986's Top Gun, 1988's Steel Magnolias, 1992's Poison Ivy and A River Runs Through It.

Tom shared with Closer Weekly that of all his famous roles, playing Reverend Maclean in A River Runs Through It was his favorite. "I suppose the one that moves me most was A River Runs Through It, playing the reverend," he said. 

"That's an exquisite-looking film, and it's so American and quite moving. I don't see every film that I've done, but that one I've seen multiple times. And every time, it just moves me on a different, deeper level. What counts is the movie, not the role so much."

Tom then tried his hand at TV when he starred in Picket Fences from 1992 to 1996, which won him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Tom Skerritt's life behind the scenes

The Golden Globe-nominated icon was married three times: firstly to Charlotte Shanks from 1957 to 1972, then to Sue Oran from 1977 to 1992, and finally to Julie Tokashiki from 1998 until his death.

He welcomed kids Andy, Erin and Matt with Charlotte, then his son Colin with Sue, and adopted a daughter, Emiko, with Julie.

Tom was also passionate about social and environmental justice, and helped to create a documentary series, Reflections of the River, showcasing the importance of protecting America's rivers. 

He also worked with the Wildlands Festival, American Rivers and the Gallatin River Task Force to focus on river conservation, and co-founded the Red Badge Project to help veterans find their voice and work through their mental health issues.