EntertainmentPosted at: Oct 23 2026 12:42PM


Hollywood veteran Tom Skerritt, star of 'Top Gun' and 'Alien', dies at 93

Washington, Oct 23 (UNI) Veteran Hollywood actor Tom Skerritt, best known for his memorable performances in Top Gun, Alien, M*A*S*H and Picket Fences, has paased away at the age of 93.
Skerritt died from natural causes on October 21, with his family confirming the news and remembering him as a man of humor, wisdom, generosity and compassion. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he earned acclaim for his versatile performances and made a lasting impact both on and off the screen through his support for aspiring filmmakers and military veterans.
"We are heartbroken by his loss," they said. "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," the family members added.
They continued, "He cared deeply about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world and helping others find and share their own voices."
According The Hollywood Reporter, Skerritt also portrayed Shriley MacLaine's husband in the 11-time Oscar nominee 'The Turning Point' (1977). He played Tom Cruise's Air Force instructor Mike "Viper" Metcalf in 'Top Gun' (1986) and was memorable as a minister and the patriarch of the MacLean family in Robert Redford's rhythmic 'A River Runs Through It' (1992).
Famously known for his outdoorsy features and bristly mustache, the handsome actor exuded masculinity during his six-decade career and was often cast in positions of authority—as when he starred as the iconic lawman Will Kane in a 2000 remake of 'High Noon' for TBS.
Notably, Thomas Roy Skerritt was born on August 25, 1933, in the Motor City. After graduating from Mackenzie High School in 1951, he enlisted in the Air Force, hoping to see the world.
Instead, lacking the skills to be a pilot, he spend most of his time in uniform in Austin as a classification specialist. The veteran actor the returned to his hometown to study English at Wayne State University.
Deciding to pursue a career as a writer or director, Skerritt transferred to UCLA, where he also did some acting in a bid to overcome his shyness. He never dreamed he could make a living at it.
Moreover, his other notable movie credits included Savage Harvest (1981), The Dead Zone (1983), SpaceCamp (1986), Maid to Order (1987), The Rookie (1990), Steel Magnolias (1989), Contract (1997), The Other Sister (1999), Tear of the Sun (2003), Bonneville (2006), Redemption Road (2010), A Hologram for the King (2016) and Day of Days (2017).
Skerritt has survived by his third wife, Julie Tokashiki, whom he married in 1998; his children, Andy, Erin, Matt, Collin and Emiko; his grandchildren Marigold and Ravi.
Outside of Hollywood, Skerritt also helped launch The Film School in Seattle to support the next generation of filmmakers and storytellers. He also co-founded the Red Badge Project to help veterans work through PTSD, anxiety and depression by writing and sharing their experiences.
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