Vale Tom Skerritt: Top Gun, Alien and Picket Fences star dies aged 93 — Tom Skerritt, the Emmy-winning actor known for Top Gun, Alien and Picket Fences, has died aged 93. His family said he died of natural causes on Wednesday, US time.
The family remembered him for “his humor, curiosity, wisdom, generosity, and the love he brought into our lives”. They also asked for privacy.
We ask for privacy as our family grieves.
Skerritt family statement
For Australian viewers, Top Gun is streaming on Paramount+, BINGE and Stan. In the film, Skerritt played Viper, the flight instructor who mentors Tom Cruise’s Maverick.
Tom Skerritt’s film career
Skerritt was born in Detroit in 1933. Before acting, he served in the US Air Force from 1951 to 1955.
His breakthrough came as surgeon Duke Forrest in Robert Altman’s M*A*S*H in 1970. Later, he played Dallas, captain of the Nostromo, in Ridley Scott’s Alien in 1979.
In addition, his films included Steel Magnolias, A River Runs Through It and Contact. He continued working into his late eighties, including in Lucky and East of the Mountains.
An Emmy for Picket Fences
On television, Skerritt starred as Sheriff Jimmy Brock in the CBS drama Picket Fences. The role won him the Emmy for lead actor in a drama series in 1993.
He also played Evan Drake on Cheers and appeared in Brothers and Sisters, Will & Grace and The West Wing. Meanwhile, his guest role in Leverage earned him a Saturn Award.
A life beyond the screen
His family said he cared deeply about storytelling, service and veterans. He also loved the natural world and helping others find their own voices.
Away from acting, he founded Heyou Media, a digital media company based in Seattle.
For more TV Central movie news, head here. You can stream Top Gun on Paramount+.
