Tom Skerritt, Emmy-winning Alien and Top Gun actor, dies at 93
Actor Tom Skerritt, known for Alien and Top Gun, has died at 93 from natural causes, his family said.
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Tom Skerritt Death
Actor Tom Skerritt died on October 21, 2026, at age 93, of natural causes. His family announced his death and said a memorial will be announced later.
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2026-10-22 to 2026-10-26 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Oct, 23:50 UTC
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What happened
Skerritt's cause of death was natural causes
Tom Skerritt died of natural causes.
Skerritt played flight instructor Mike 'Viper' Metcalf in Top Gun
Skerritt appeared opposite Tom Cruise in the original Top Gun, playing the flight instructor Mike 'Viper' Metcalf.
Skerritt is survived by his wife and five children
Skerritt is survived by his third wife, Julie Tokashiki, and five children.
Skerritt played Dallas, captain of the Nostromo, in Alien
Skerritt played Dallas, captain of the spaceship Nostromo, in Ridley Scott's 1979 science-fiction film Alien.
Skerritt made his Broadway debut in A Time to Kill in 2013
Skerritt made his Broadway debut in 2013 in a stage adaptation of John Grisham's A Time to Kill.
Skerritt's family announces his death and says a memorial will be scheduled later
Skerritt's family announced his death in a statement, saying they were heartbroken by his loss. They requested privacy and said information about a memorial would be shared at a later date.
Skerritt starred as Sheriff Jimmy Brock in Picket Fences
Skerritt starred as Sheriff Jimmy Brock in Picket Fences, the comedy-drama created by David E. Kelley, which ran from 1992 to 1996.
Skerritt won the 1993 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Skerritt won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1993 for his role as Sheriff Jimmy Brock in the television series Picket Fences.
Actor Tom Skerritt dies at age 93
Actor Tom Skerritt died on October 21, 2026, at the age of 93.
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