Actor Tom Skerritt, known for his roles in “Alien,” “Top Gun,” “Steel Magnolias, and “Picket Fences,” has died at the age of 93. Skerritt died on Wednesday due to natural causes, according to a statement released by his family.
He was born on August 25, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan, and was raised by his father, Roy, a small-business owner, and mother, Helen, a homemaker. After graduating from David Mackenzie High School in 1951, Skerritt joined the U.S. Air Force and served as a classification specialist.
He attended UCLA and was performing in a production of “The Rainmaker” when Skerritt made his debut in the 1962 film “War Hunt” alongside Sydney Pollack and Robert Redford. After leaving UCLA, Skerritt was mentored by director Robert Altman, who cast the actor in his breakthrough role in the 1970 film M*A*S*H. This movie eventually evolved into the CBS comedy series in 1972, which significantly influenced Skerritt’s acting career.
Skerritt’s career cruised into the ‘80s with a steady stream of small-screen appearances, including Ryan’s Four, The Twilight Zone and Cheers, before landing a role in Top Gun and Poltergeist III. Top Gun featured Skerritt as Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf, with Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins, Kelly McGillis and Val Kilmer rounding out the cast of the blockbuster film.
Skerritt also found success on television, starring as Sheriff Jimmy Brock in the CBS drama “Picket Fences,” which aired from 1992 to 1996. His performance earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 1993.
Beyond acting, Skerritt helped found TheFilmSchool in Seattle to support aspiring filmmakers and storytellers. He also co-founded the Red Badge Project, which helps military veterans cope with PTSD, anxiety, and depression through writing and storytelling.
Disneyland fans may remember that Tom Skerritt was a featured narrator at the annual Candlelight Processional and Ceremony in 2010.
“Our family is deeply saddened to share that Tom Skerritt passed away on October 21, 2026, from natural causes,” a statement released by Skerritt’s family said. “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. 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.”
Skerritt is survived by his wife, Julie Tokashiki; his five children, Andy, Erin, Matt, Colin and Emiko; five grandchildren, Sara, Maddison, Sunny, Louisa and Georgia; and two great-grandchildren, Marigold and Ravi.
Daps Magic sends their condolences to Tom Skerritt’s family and friends.
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