Tom Skerritt, Star of Top Gun and Picket Fences, Dead at 93

Tom Skerritt, star of M*A*S*H, Top Gun, and Picket Fences, has died at the age of 93, according to the The Hollywood Reporter. His family says he died on October 21 of natural causes. “We are heartbroken by his loss,” the family statement read. “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. He cared deeply about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world and helping others find and share their own voices.”

Skerritt was born on August 25, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating high school, he served four years as a classifications specialist in the U.S. Air Force before moving to Los Angeles for college. He eventually dropped out of UCLA to pursue acting, starring in his first feature film, War Hunt, in 1962. “I was seen acting in something, and some guys hired me to be in a $1.98 movie [War Hunt], with a couple of actors, Robert Redford and Sydney Pollack, who was still acting then,” he said of his acting origins to Vulture in 2021. “And my relationship with Redford started. I also met some television directors who said, ‘I saw you do this. Why don’t you come in and do a little part in this TV show?’ I’m thinking, Okay, this is sort of interesting. I’m falling into this profession that I’m finding is kind of fun to do, even if I’m terrible at it.” His breakthrough role came eight years later, in 1970, when he starred as Duke in M*A*S*H.

The actor had a long career in Hollywood with credits in cult classics like Up in Smoke and Harold and Maude. He played stern but compassionate leaders, including Viper in Top Gun and Captain Arthur Dallas in Alien. After years of guest-starring roles on the small screen, Skerritt eventually transitioned to television as a leading man, playing Sheriff Jimmy Brock in Picket Fences. He earned an Emmy for the role. Skerritt is survived by his wife, Julie Tokashiki; his five children; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.