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• Tom Skerritt has died at the age of 93.
• He rose to prominence playing Captain Dallas in Ridley Scott’s science-fiction classic ‘Alien’ and Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf in the blockbuster ‘Top Gun.’
• Skerritt also won an Emmy Award for his leading role in ‘Picket Fences’ and devoted part of his later life to supporting military veterans.

Tom Skerritt, the veteran actor whose distinguished career included roles in ‘Alien,’ ‘Top Gun,’ ‘M*A*S*H’ and ‘Picket Fences,’ has died at the age of 93. His family confirmed that he died of natural causes on Wednesday, October 21st.

Alien

“In space no one can hear you scream.”

Release Jun 21, 1979Runtime 1h 57mBudget $11M

Skerritt became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable character actors, frequently portraying military officers, lawmen and authoritative figures whose quiet confidence made a lasting impression on audiences. He played Captain Dallas in ‘Alien’ and Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf in ‘Top Gun.’

Movies and TV Series featuring Tom Skerritt:

Tom Skerritt: Early Life and Career

Born Thomas Roy Skerritt on August 25, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan, Skerritt grew up in the Motor City and graduated from Mackenzie High School in 1951. Following graduation, he served four years in the U.S. Air Force before studying at Henry Ford College, Wayne State University and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Skerritt’s interest in acting developed while he was attending college, and a performance in a production of ‘The Rainmaker’ helped him secure his first feature-film role. He made his film debut in ‘War Hunt’ (1962), a drama set during the Korean War that also featured Robert Redford.

His career gained momentum in the following decade when he worked with director Robert Altman on ‘M*A*S*H’ (1970). The satirical war comedy, set during the Korean War, became a major success and helped establish Skerritt as a versatile performer capable of moving between comedy and drama.

Tom Skerritt: Television and Film

Skerritt reached international audiences with his performance as Captain Dallas in Ridley Scott’s ‘Alien.’ Released in 1979, the science-fiction horror film followed the crew of the commercial spaceship Nostromo as they encountered a deadly extraterrestrial creature.

He followed the success of ‘Alien’ with a string of prominent film roles. In ‘Top Gun,’ the 1986 action drama starring Tom Cruise, Skerritt played Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf, an experienced naval aviator who serves as an instructor at the elite fighter-pilot school.

Other notable film credits included ‘The Turning Point’ (1977), ‘Ice Castles’ (1978), ‘The Dead Zone’ (1983), ‘Steel Magnolias’ (1989), ‘A River Runs Through It’ (1992) and ‘Contact’ (1997).

On television, Skerritt found another defining role in ‘Picket Fences,’ the CBS drama created by David E. Kelley. The series explored the lives of residents in the fictional Wisconsin town of Rome, with Skerritt playing Sheriff Jimmy Brock.

Tom Skerritt: Legacy

Skerritt is survived by his wife, Julie Tokashiki, five children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His family remembered him as a man whose interests extended well beyond the entertainment industry. In a statement following his death, they highlighted his humor, curiosity, wisdom and generosity, along with his commitment to storytelling, service, veterans and the natural world.

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