Actor Tom Skerritt has died at the age of 93. The actor is best known for his roles in ensembles of films such as M*A*S*H, Alien, and Top Gun. He is also popular for playing a sheriff in a small town on the 1990s show Picket Fences.
Skerritt died of natural causes in Seattle on Wednesday, his family revealed.
“We are heartbroken by his loss,” the family said in a statement. “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. He cared deeply about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world, and helping others find and share their own voices.”
Skerritt played Shirley MacLaine’s spouse in The Turning Point, which earned 11 Academy Award nominations. He also portrayed Maverick's (Tom Cruise) instructor at the Air Force in Top Gun. Another one of his memorable roles is as MacLean family patriarch and a minister in Robert Redford‘s A River Runs Through It.
Known for his bristly mustache and handsome looks, Tom Skerritt exuded a sense of masculinity onscreen throughout his six-decade-long career. The actor was frequently cast as authoritative figures, such as a lawman in TBS’ High Noon remake.
Skerritt initially declined the role of Captain Dallas in Alien, wondering whether the film’s special effects would take up its entire budget. However, he reconsidered his decision after learning about Ridley Scott signing up for the iconic science-fiction thriller. His other notable film credits include Savage Harvest, SpaceCamp, The Dead Zone, Made to Order, The Rookie, Steel Magnolias, Contact, The Other Sister, Bonneville, Tears of the Sun, Redemption Road, Day of Days, and A Hologram for the King.
