American actor Tom Skerritt, known for his roles in “Alien” and “Top Gun”, has died at the age of 93. His publicist confirmed the news to Variety magazine, saying he died of natural causes.
In a family statement published by People magazine, Skerritt was described as an actor with a long and successful career, as well as a man of humor, wisdom and generosity who gave much love to those close to him.
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His death also touched his colleagues, who shared tributes in his memory. Julia Roberts, his co-star in “Steel Magnolias”, remembered him as “a bright light and a gentle man”.
Cathy Baker, who starred alongside him in the series “Picket Fences”, expressed her grief, describing Skerritt as a dear friend and an outstanding screen partner. She said she had learned a great deal from him and that working together had been a special experience.
Over more than six decades in film and television, Skerritt appeared in more than 170 productions. He won an Emmy Award and received Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations.
After four years in the United States Air Force, he began his film career in 1962, appearing in the war film “War Hunt” alongside Robert Redford and Sydney Pollack.
He took a significant step toward fame in 1970 with his role in director Robert Altman’s satirical comedy “M*A*S*H”. The film was a major box-office success and received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
During the 1970s, Skerritt also appeared in “Harold and Maude”, “Thieves Like Us”, “Big Bad Mama” and “The Turning Point”.
Among his best-known roles was Captain Dallas in Ridley Scott’s science-fiction film “Alien”, released in 1979. The film became a classic of the genre and remains one of the standout works of the actor’s career.
In 1986, he appeared in “Top Gun” alongside Tom Cruise, playing Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf. The role brought him a new generation of fans.
In the 1990s, his filmography expanded with titles such as “A River Runs Through It”, “Contact”, “Poison Ivy” and “The Other Sister”. He also earned acclaim for his role in the series “Picket Fences”, which won him an Emmy Award. The series, which aired for four seasons, explored family and social issues.
Throughout the 2000s, Skerritt continued working on screen, appearing in the films “Tears of the Sun” and “Whiteout”, as well as the series “Will & Grace”, “The West Wing” and “Brothers & Sisters”.
His final film appearance was in the 2025 Western drama “Broke”, in which he starred alongside Dennis Quaid.
Skerritt was also involved in community initiatives. In 2012, he co-founded the “Red Badge Project”, a program aimed at helping military veterans cope with psychological trauma after their service by telling their stories.
In a 2021 interview, the actor said he considered himself a lucky man. He added that a person’s strength is revealed in how they confront their own weaknesses.
With Tom Skerritt’s death, American cinema loses an actor with a rich and varied career who left his mark on films and television series familiar to several generations.
