Tom Skerritt, the beloved American actor, died on October 21, 2026, at the age of 93 from natural causes. His passing brought an end to a career that spanned more than 60 years and included over 170 film and television appearances.

Born on August 25, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan, Skerritt served in the United States Air Force before beginning his acting career in the early 1960s. He made his film debut in War Hunt in 1962 and went on to become a familiar face in Hollywood.

He gained widespread recognition for playing Captain Dallas in the 1979 science-fiction classic Alien. In 1986, he appeared in Top Gun as Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf, an experienced flight instructor. He also earned critical acclaim for portraying Sheriff Jimmy Brock in the television series Picket Fences, winning a Primetime Emmy Award in 1993. Other notable productions included MASH*, Steel Magnolias and A River Runs Through It.

Beyond acting, Skerritt cared deeply about helping military veterans. In 2012, he co-founded the Red Badge Project, an organization that supports veterans through storytelling and creative expression. One of his later film appearances was in the 2025 Western drama Broke, alongside Dennis Quaid and Wyatt Russell.

Following his death, his family expressed their heartbreak and remembered him for his humor, wisdom, curiosity, generosity and love. Although millions knew him through his memorable performances, his family treasured the person he was away from the spotlight.

Skerritt is survived by his wife, Julie Tokashiki, five children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His legacy lives on through the films and television shows that made him a respected and enduring figure in Hollywood.