Veteran Hollywood actor Tom Skerritt, known for Alien, Top Gun and MASH, has died at 93. His family confirmed that he died of natural causes on Wednesday. His acting career spanned six decades, from the 1960s through the 2020s.
In a family statement, his relatives remembered him for his humour, wisdom, generosity and love. They also highlighted his passion for creativity, storytelling, veterans and helping others share their voices. Skerritt earned recognition for performances across film and television.
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Skerritt gained wider attention through Robert Altman’s 1970 black comedy MASH. He played Duke Forrest, a US Army surgeon working at a mobile army surgical hospital during the Korean War. The film received five Academy Award nominations and became a notable work of its era.
In 1979, Skerritt played spacecraft captain Dallas in Ridley Scott’s science-fiction horror film Alien. The film became a landmark of the genre, featuring Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley. Skerritt later praised the cast’s strong rapport and Scott’s direction in a 2019 interview.
He also welcomed the film’s strong female lead, saying Ripley’s role as the hero appealed to him. Skerritt expressed similar appreciation for powerful female characters in Steel Magnolias, where he played Drum Eatenton. The 1989 drama featured an ensemble cast led by Sally Field.
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Another major credit came in Tony Scott’s 1986 blockbuster Top Gun. Skerritt portrayed Viper, a naval aviation instructor who helped shape the film’s story. He also appeared in The Turning Point and Robert Redford’s 1992 drama A River Runs Through It, alongside Brad Pitt.
On television, Skerritt starred as a Wisconsin sheriff in the CBS drama Picket Fences from 1992 to 1996. His performance earned him an Emmy Award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 1993. Born in Detroit in 1933, he served in the US Air Force before pursuing acting. He made his film debut in War Hunt in 1962 and became a father of five.