Actor Tom Skerritt dies at 93 of natural causes

Skerritt’s family announced his death on Wednesday, noting his contributions to film, TV and veteran causes.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 22 Oct 2026 22:10:17 GMT

Tom Skerritt, the Emmy‑winning actor famed for roles in Top Gun, Alien and Picket Fences, died of natural causes at age 93, his family said.

What happened

Skerritt died on Wednesday, October 22, 2026, according to a statement from his family. The statement described his death as resulting from natural causes and highlighted his personal qualities and charitable interests.

What the reports add

Both SMH and Rolling Stone reported the family’s statement and the cause of death. SMH added that Skerritt grew up in Detroit, served four years in the Air Force, attended Wayne State University and later UCLA, and was inspired to study filmmaking after seeing Citizen Kane. Rolling Stone noted that he spent the entire 1960s on television, appearing on shows such as Gunsmoke, Combat and The Virginian, and that his breakout film role was Captain Duke Forrest in the 1970 war comedy M*A*S*H. The two outlets also differed in the phrasing of his early film debut: SMH described his first film role as a sergeant in the 1962 independent Korean War film War Hunt, while Rolling Stone focused on his later breakout role in M*A*S*H.

What was said

Skerritt’s family said, “While the world knew Tom through his remarkable acting career, we knew him for his humour, curiosity, wisdom, generosity and the love he brought into our lives,” as quoted by both outlets. The family also expressed heartbreak, saying, “We are heartbroken by his loss.”

How it came about

Skerritt’s career spanned seven decades, beginning with theatre work that led to his first film role in War Hunt (1962). He later appeared in iconic films such as Top Gun (as the commanding officer of Maverick), Alien (as Captain Dallas), M*A*S*H, Contact, Poltergeist III and the TV series Picket Fences. His early life in Detroit and military service informed his later advocacy for veterans and the natural world, themes noted in the family’s statement. Felo previously reported on the deaths of fellow character actors Richard Riehle and Gerrit Graham, underscoring a recent series of losses among veteran performers.Read more.

Key facts

Tom Skerritt died of natural causes on October 22, 2026 at age 93. (smh.com.au)
Skerritt’s family released a statement describing his humor, curiosity, wisdom, generosity and love. (rollingstone.com)
He was known for roles in Top Gun, Alien, Picket Fences and a seven‑decade career. (smh.com.au)

Where accounts differ

Description of Skerritt’s early film debut: first film role was a sergeant in the 1962 independent Korean War film War Hunt (smh.com.au); breakout film role was Captain Duke Forrest in the 1970 war comedy M*A*S*H (rollingstone.com)