23.10.2026 00:41
US actor Tom Skerritt, known for the films Alien, Top Gun and MASH and an Emmy winner for the series Picket Fences, has died at the age of 93. His family announced that Skerritt died of natural causes on Wednesday. The actor, who played Tom Cruise's commander Viper in Top Gun, had served in the US Air Force before acting.
US actor Tom Skerritt, known for films such as Alien, Top Gun and MASH, has died at the age of 93. According to BBC News, his family announced that Skerritt died of natural causes on Wednesday.
In a statement, his family said, "The world knew Tom for his extraordinary acting career; we knew him for his humor, curiosity, wisdom, generosity and the love he brought into our lives." The family stated that Skerritt will be remembered as someone who believed stories could heal people, give them purpose and create change.
FROM THE AIR FORCE TO THE SILVER SCREEN
Born on August 25, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan, Skerritt served in the US Air Force before beginning his acting career. He appeared alongside a young Robert Redford in his first film, the 1962 production War Hunt; years later, he worked with him again in the 1992 film A River Runs Through It, directed by Redford and starring Brad Pitt.
The actor's breakthrough came with his role as surgeon Duke Forrest in the 1970 comedy MASH, which was set during the Korean War. The film, nominated for five Academy Awards, was adapted into a television series two years later.
HE WAS TOM CRUISE'S COMMANDER IN TOP GUN
In 1979, Skerritt starred with Sigourney Weaver in the science fiction classic Alien. In the 1986 film Top Gun, he played Commander Mike "Viper" Metcalf alongside Tom Cruise. The actor, who played Sally Field's husband in Steel Magnolias, also appeared with Shirley MacLaine in The Turning Point.
Skerritt won an Emmy Award in 1993 for his role as Sheriff Jimmy Brock in the television series Picket Fences, and also appeared in series such as Cheers, The West Wing, Law & Order: SVU and Brothers & Sisters. The actor, who also appeared in the film Ted during a career spanning six decades, founded TheFilmSchool in Seattle to support young filmmakers.
Source: BBC