Tom Skerritt, Legendary Star of Top Gun and Alien, Dies at 93

Hollywood Mourns the Loss of Acclaimed Performer Tom Skerritt

Acclaimed actor Tom Skerritt, celebrated for his commanding presence in cinematic landmarks such as Top Gun and Alien, has passed away at the age of 93. The Emmy-winning star died of natural causes on Wednesday, according to a statement released by his family.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, his family confirmed the news: “Our family is deeply saddened to share that Tom Skerritt passed away on October 21, 2026, from natural causes.” The tribute emphasized his strong devotion to his loved ones: “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.”

Reflecting on his character beyond the camera, the statement added: “While the world knew Tom through his remarkable acting career, we knew him for his humour, curiosity, wisdom, generosity, and the love he brought into our lives.” Family members noted that Tom Skerritt will also be remembered for his ‘imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world, and helping others find and share their own voices’. Expressing gratitude for the public’s sympathy, the statement concluded: “We are incredibly grateful for the love and support being shown by his friends, colleagues, and fans. We ask for privacy as our family grieves. Information regarding a memorial will be shared at a later date.”

From the U.S. Air Force to Hollywood Stardom

Born in Detroit in August 1935, Tom Skerritt began his adult life away from the entertainment industry. Following his graduation from high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving a four-year stint as a classification specialist after he and his friends felt unready for higher education and ‘didn’t know what we were going to do’.

After his military discharge, Skerritt enrolled as an English major at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). While there, his curiosity led him toward the stage, though he initially harbored no expectations of turning performance into a lifelong vocation. “I had done a little theatre as an actor, only to overcome being shy and self-conscious, and never intended or thought I could make a living as an actor,” he told Film Comment in 2016. A talent scout discovered Skerritt during a UCLA production, paving the way for his feature film debut in 1962’s War Hunt.

An Enduring Legacy Across Decades of Film and Television

Tom Skerritt achieved major recognition with his breakthrough performance as Duke Forrest in Robert Altman’s 1970 satirical war comedy M*A*S*H. Over the subsequent decades, he became a stalwart presence in mainstream American cinema, securing leading and memorable supporting roles such as Captain Dallas in Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror masterpiece Alien (1979) and Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun (1986). His extensive filmography also features key roles in beloved productions like Steel Magnolias.

Alongside his cinematic footprint, Skerritt built an equally influential television portfolio. Between 1992 and 1996, he headlined the acclaimed family drama series Picket Fences as Sheriff Jimmy Brock. The portrayal earned him a Primetime Emmy Award alongside two Golden Globe nominations. Skerritt also earned audience praise for his recurring guest performance as Evan Drake on the hit sitcom Cheers.

In his personal life, Skerritt married Charlotte Shanks in 1957; the couple had three children—Andy, Erin, and Matt—before divorcing in 1972. He later married Sue Oran in 1977, with whom he shared a son, Colin, prior to their divorce in 1992. In 1996, Skerritt married Julie Tokashiki, and the couple adopted their daughter, Emiko. He is survived by his wife, five children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Why This Matters

Tom Skerritt represented a golden era of versatile character actors who could seamlessly anchor genre-defining blockbusters, prestige studio dramas, and long-running broadcast television series. His understated intensity and authenticity made him an essential collaborator for legendary filmmakers and showrunners during the latter half of the 20th century. Beyond his cinematic resume, Skerritt maintained a dedication to community, storytelling initiatives, and veterans’ causes, cementing a multi-faceted legacy that resonates across the entertainment industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Tom Skerritt’s cause of death?

According to an official statement released by his family, Tom Skerritt passed away from natural causes at the age of 93.

What were some of Tom Skerritt’s most famous roles?

Skerritt was widely recognized for his roles as Captain Dallas in Alien, Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf in Top Gun, and Duke Forrest in M*A*S*H. On television, he achieved critical acclaim as Sheriff Jimmy Brock on Picket Fences and appeared as Evan Drake on Cheers.

Did Tom Skerritt win any major acting awards?

Yes. Skerritt won a Primetime Emmy Award for his leading performance as Sheriff Jimmy Brock in the drama series Picket Fences, a role that also garnered him two Golden Globe nominations.