Veteran Hollywood actor Tom Skerritt, celebrated for his roles in Top Gun, Alien and the television drama Picket Fences, has died at the age of 93.
Skerritt died from natural causes in Seattle on Wednesday, 21 October, his family confirmed.
“Our family is deeply saddened to share that Tom Skerritt passed away on October 21, 2026, from natural causes,” the family said in a statement.
They described him as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, adding that they were heartbroken by his death.
A career spanning six decades
Skerritt enjoyed a remarkably long career encompassing more than 150 film and television appearances.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1933, he served in the United States Air Force before studying at Wayne State University and the University of California, Los Angeles.
He initially hoped to become a director and only began acting to overcome his shyness. After being noticed while appearing in a university production of The Rainmaker, Skerritt secured his first film role in the 1962 war drama War Hunt, alongside Robert Redford.
His breakthrough arrived when director Robert Altman cast him as Captain Augustus “Duke” Forrest in the 1970 film M*A*S*H.
Memorable roles in Alien and Top Gun
Skerritt became familiar to science-fiction audiences through his role as Captain Arthur Dallas in Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic Alien.
Dallas commanded the commercial spaceship Nostromo as its crew encountered the deadly alien creature that would define the hugely successful franchise.
Skerritt later played Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf, an experienced naval aviator and instructor, opposite Tom Cruise in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun.
The film became one of the defining movies of the decade and introduced Skerritt to another generation of viewers.
His other notable film appearances included Steel Magnolias, The Turning Point, A River Runs Through It, Up in Smoke, Contact and The Dead Zone.
Emmy success with Picket Fences
Skerritt also found considerable success on television, most notably as Sheriff Jimmy Brock in the CBS drama Picket Fences.
He starred in the series from 1992 until 1996 and won the Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 1993.
The performance also earned him Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.
Following news of his death, Picket Fences co-star Lauren Holly remembered him as the programme’s leader and said he had made a significant impact on her life.
Support for military veterans
Away from acting, Skerritt remained committed to supporting military veterans.
He helped establish the Red Badge Project, an organisation that encourages veterans to use storytelling as a way of processing their experiences and sharing their voices.
His family remembered him for his humour, curiosity, wisdom and generosity, as well as his devotion to creativity, nature, veterans and helping others.
Skerritt is survived by his wife, Julie Tokashiki; his five children, Andy, Erin, Matt, Colin and Emiko; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Details of a memorial service will be announced at a later date.
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