Actor Tom Skerritt, 93, passes away from natural causes

Tom Skerritt, a Detroit‑born actor whose career spanned more than six decades, died on Wednesday at the age of 93. His family released a statement confirming that he passed away of natural causes and highlighted his humor, curiosity, wisdom and generosity as qualities remembered by those close to him.

Early life and military service Born in 1933, Skerritt grew up in a middle‑class family in Detroit. After completing high school he served four years in the United States Air Force before pursuing higher education. He first attended Wayne State University and later transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles to study filmmaking, an interest sparked by a viewing of Citizen Kane.

Film and television breakthrough Skerritt’s first screen appearance came in the low‑budget 1962 war film *War Hunt*, which also marked the debuts of Robert Redford, Sydney Pollack and Francis Ford Coppola. He gained wider recognition with his role as army surgeon Duke Forrest in Robert Altman's 1970 comedy *M*A*S*H*. Subsequent notable film work included the sci‑fi classic *Alien* (1979), the drama *Steel Magnolias* (1989), and the 1992 Redford‑directed *A River Runs Through It*. In the 1980s he portrayed Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf in *Top Gun* (1986), a part that remains closely associated with his public image.

On television, Skerritt is perhaps best remembered for playing Sheriff Jimmy Brock on the David E. Kelley series *Picket Fences* (1992‑96). His performance earned him two Emmy nominations and a win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1993. He also appeared in episodes of *Cheers*, *The Good Wife* and other series throughout his career.

Later work and contributions Beyond acting, Skerritt co‑founded TheFilmSchool in Seattle, an institution aimed at supporting emerging filmmakers. He continued to work on stage, narrating *Our Town* at Seattle’s Intiman Theatre in 2004 and making his Broadway debut in a 2013 adaptation of John Grisham’s *A Time to Kill*. His later screen credits include *Contact*, *Ted* (where he played a fictionalized version of himself) and *A Hologram for the King*.

Legacy Colleagues and fans have noted Skerritt’s ability to move between leading‑man roles and character parts, a versatility praised by critics such as The New York Times. The family’s statement emphasized his belief that stories can help people heal and find purpose, reflecting his lifelong commitment to storytelling, veterans’ issues and environmental concerns. Skerritt leaves behind a legacy of more than 170 film and television credits, an Emmy award and a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most dependable and affable performers.