Event / Entertainment
Tom Skerritt Death
American actor Tom Skerritt, known for roles in M*A*S*H, Alien, Top Gun, Picket Fences, and Contact, died on October 21, 2026, at age 93 of natural causes, according to a statement from his family.
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What happened
Skerritt co-founds the Red Badge Project to help veterans through writing
Skerritt co-founded the Red Badge Project, which helps veterans address PTSD, anxiety, and depression through writing and sharing their experiences.
Skerritt narrates Our Town at Seattle's Intiman Theatre
Skerritt narrated the stage production of Our Town at the Intiman Theatre in Seattle in 2004.
Skerritt wins Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for Picket Fences
Tom Skerritt won the Emmy Award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 1993 for his role as sheriff in the CBS series Picket Fences. He received two Emmy nominations, both for Picket Fences.
Tom Skerritt dies at age 93 of natural causes
Tom Skerritt, an American actor, died on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at age 93. The cause of death was natural causes.
Tom Skerritt born in Detroit on August 25, 1933
Thomas Roy Skerritt was born on August 25, 1933, in Detroit, the youngest of three sons.
Skerritt makes film debut in War Hunt alongside Robert Redford and Sydney Pollack
Skerritt made his film debut in the 1962 Korean War film War Hunt, which also marked the film debuts of Robert Redford, Sydney Pollack, and Francis Ford Coppola.
Skerritt makes Broadway debut in A Time to Kill adaptation
Skerritt made his Broadway debut in 2013 in an adaptation of John Grisham's A Time to Kill.
Skerritt plays flight instructor Viper in Top Gun
Skerritt played Viper, a flight instructor who trains Tom Cruise's character, in the 1986 film Top Gun.
Skerritt plays Julia Roberts' father in Steel Magnolias
Skerritt appeared in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias as Sally Field's husband and Julia Roberts' father.
Skerritt plays captain of the Nostromo in Alien
Skerritt played the captain of the spaceship Nostromo in the 1979 science fiction film Alien.
Skerritt is survived by wife Julie Tokashiki and five children
Skerritt is survived by his wife, Julie Tokashiki, and five children.
Skerritt helps establish TheFilmSchool in Seattle
Skerritt helped establish TheFilmSchool in Seattle, an organization created to support emerging filmmakers and storytellers.
Skerritt stars as sheriff in CBS series Picket Fences from 1992 to 1996
Skerritt played the sheriff in Picket Fences, a CBS series created by David E. Kelley that ran from 1992 to 1996. The series won 14 Emmy Awards overall.
Skerritt's family announces his death in a public statement
Skerritt's family issued a public statement announcing his death. The statement described him as having humor, curiosity, wisdom, generosity, and a commitment to imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world, and helping others share their voices.
Skerritt plays scheming presidential adviser in Contact
Skerritt played a scheming presidential adviser who obstructs Jodie Foster's character's efforts to communicate with extraterrestrial life in the 1997 film Contact.
Skerritt plays Rev. John Maclean in A River Runs Through It, directed by Robert Redford
Skerritt played the Presbyterian minister Rev. John Maclean in the 1992 film A River Runs Through It, directed by Robert Redford.
Skerritt wins National Board of Review best supporting actor award for The Turning Point
Skerritt won the National Board of Review award for best supporting actor for his role as Shirley MacLaine's husband in the 1977 film The Turning Point.
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