Tom Skerritt, the Emmy-winning actor known for his roles in "Alien," "Top Gun," and the television series "Picket Fences," died on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. His family and publicist confirmed that he died of natural causes at the age of 93.
Born Thomas Roy Skerritt in Detroit, Michigan, in 1933, he served four years in the United States Air Force before pursuing an acting career. After his service, he attended Wayne State University and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His professional career began in the early 1960s, with his film debut in the 1962 production "War Hunt."
Skerritt’s film career spanned more than 60 years and included a breakthrough role in "M*A*S*H" (1970). He later portrayed Captain Dallas in the science-fiction film "Alien" (1979) and Commander Mike "Viper" Metcalf in "Top Gun" (1986). On television, he was best known for playing Sheriff Jimmy Brock on the drama "Picket Fences" from 1992 to 1996, a role for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1994.
Beyond his film and television work, Skerritt’s influence extended to the gaming and technology sectors. He provided voice acting for the 2005 video game "Gun" and served as a guide for the showcase website of Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system. His career also included directing and producing, as well as an honorary Mary Pickford Award in 2022 for his artistic contributions to the entertainment industry.
Skerritt is survived by his wife, Julie Tokashiki, and five children. His family described him in a statement as a person known for "humor, curiosity, wisdom, generosity, and the love he brought into our lives." Final arrangements and memorial details were not immediately reported.