Actor Tom Skerritt, Known for ‘Alien’ and ‘Top Gun,’ Dies at 93
WHO:
NBC News - Tom Skerritt, star of “Alien” and “Top Gun,” died at age 93; his family confirmed his death.
NBC News - Skerritt won an Emmy for playing a hard-working sheriff in “Picket Fences.”
Screen Rant - Skerritt was known for “M*A*S*H,” “The Turning Point,” “Alien,” “Top Gun,” “A River Runs Through It” and “Picket Fences.”
Collider - Skerritt was a legendary actor known for “Top Gun,” “Alien” and other work.
The Hollywood Reporter - Skerritt portrayed small-town sheriff Jimmy Brock on “Picket Fences” and appeared in “M*A*S*H,” “Alien” and “Top Gun.”
The Hollywood Reporter - Skerritt’s survivors include his third wife, Julie Tokashiki, whom he married in 1998; his children Andy, Erin, Matt, Collin and Emiko; grandchildren Sara, Maddison, Sunny, Louisa and Georgia; and great-grandchildren Marigold and Ravi.
WHAT:
NBC News - Skerritt died at age 93, according to his family.
Screen Rant - Skerritt died at age 93.
Collider - Skerritt died at age 93.
The Hollywood Reporter - Skerritt died of natural causes.
The Hollywood Reporter - He played Captain Dallas aboard the Nostromo in “Alien,” Mike “Viper” Metcalf in “Top Gun,” and the minister and MacLean family patriarch in “A River Runs Through It.”
The Hollywood Reporter - For four seasons, he starred in CBS’s “Picket Fences” as the sheriff of fictional Rome, Wisconsin; he won the Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 1993 and was nominated again the following year.
The Hollywood Reporter - His other credits included “M*A*S*H,” “The Turning Point,” “Cheers,” “Brothers and Sisters,” “Ted,” “East of the Mountains,” “The Dead Zone,” “Contact” and “Steel Magnolias.”
The Hollywood Reporter - Skerritt helped launch TheFilmSchool in Seattle and co-founded the Red Badge Project to support veterans dealing with PTSD, anxiety and depression.
The Hollywood Reporter - He helped create and champion “Reflections of the River,” a documentary series about river health and conservation, and supported river conservation organizations.
WHERE:
The Hollywood Reporter - Skerritt was born in Detroit, Michigan, and studied at Wayne State University and UCLA.
The Hollywood Reporter - He served in the Air Force, spending most of his time in uniform in Austin as a classification specialist.
The Hollywood Reporter - TheFilmSchool was based in Seattle; “Picket Fences” was set in fictional Rome, Wisconsin.
WHEN:
The Hollywood Reporter - Thomas Roy Skerritt was born on Aug. 25, 1933.
The Hollywood Reporter - He graduated from Mackenzie High School in 1951.
The Hollywood Reporter - Skerritt’s film “M*A*S*H” was released in 1970; “Alien” in 1979; “Top Gun” in 1986; and “A River Runs Through It” in 1992.
The Hollywood Reporter - “Picket Fences” began on CBS in 1992.
The Hollywood Reporter - Skerritt married Julie Tokashiki in 1998.
WHY:
The Hollywood Reporter - Skerritt initially turned down “Alien” because he feared special effects would consume the film’s budget; he accepted after viewing Ridley Scott’s “The Duellists.”
The Hollywood Reporter - He enlisted in the Air Force hoping to see the world.
The Hollywood Reporter - At UCLA, he acted partly to overcome shyness and saw acting work as practical experience for a possible directing career.
HOW:
The Hollywood Reporter - Skerritt’s family said, “We are heartbroken by his loss,” and remembered his humor, curiosity, wisdom, generosity and love.
The Hollywood Reporter - Skerritt said director Robert Altman made him feel he “could do no wrong, as long as you tried,” and that actors must be willing to “make an ass out of yourself.”
The Hollywood Reporter - Skerritt said he accepted “Alien” after seeing “The Duellists,” which he called “a masterpiece.”
(UPDATED October 22, 2026 20:16 UTC)
Actor Tom Skerritt, known for “Alien” and “Top Gun,” has died at 93, his family confirmed. He died of natural causes. Skerritt played Captain Dallas aboard the spaceship in “Alien” and Mike “Viper” Metcalf in “Top Gun,” as well as the minister and family patriarch in “A River Runs Through It.” On television, he starred for four seasons as Sheriff Jimmy Brock in “Picket Fences,” earning an Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series and another nomination the following year. His wide-ranging credits also included “M*A*S*H,” “The Turning Point,” “Cheers” and “Steel Magnolias.” Beyond acting, Skerritt helped launch a Seattle film school and co-founded a project supporting veterans dealing with PTSD, anxiety and depression. He also championed river conservation through a documentary series. His survivors include his wife, Julie Tokashiki, five children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.