Tom Skerritt, the American screen actor who was first billed in Ridley Scott’s horror classic “Alien” (1979) and sustained a career spanning more than seven decades, died Wednesday of natural causes, according to a statement from his manager. He was 93.
“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,” reads a statement issued by Skerritt’s family. “We are incredibly grateful for the love and support being shown by his friends, colleagues, and fans. We ask for privacy as our family grieves.”
Skerritt first rose to prominence with a breakout turn in Robert Altman’s Korean War comedy “M*A*S*H” (1970), playing the surgeon Duke Forrest. Just 37 years old, Skerritt was third-billed in the feature, after then-more-established stars Donald Sutherland and Elliott Gould. The role launched him to a prolific Hollywood career that saw him garner more than 100 screen credits. He kept acting through the final years of his life, with his most recent project being a supporting role in the 2025 Western “Broke” starring Wyatt Russell.
After a series of prominent roles through the ’70s (and a small one as a motorcycle cop in 1971’s “Harold and Maude”), Skerritt’s most enduring role came with “Alien,” in which he played Dallas, captain of the spaceship Nostromo. He was the film‘s top-billed star, ahead of Sigourney Weaver, but his character doesn’t end up as one of the longest-standing survivors of the Xenomorph.
Through the ’80s, the oft-mustachioed actor had memorable supporting turns in David Cronenberg’s” The Dead Zone,” Herbert Ross’ “Steel Magnolias,” and Tony Scott’s blockbuster “Top Gun.” He also led the horror sequel “Poltergeist III.” Key ’90s credits include “A River Runs Through It,” “The Rookie,” and “Contact.”
In 1993, Skerritt won a Primetime Emmy award for his performance as the sheriff Jimmy Brock in the CBS series “Picket Fences”; he was nominated again the following year. The program’s third and fourth seasons also won outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, in 1995 and 1996 respectively.
Thomas Roy Skerritt was born in Detroit, Mich. on August 25, 1933. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduating high school before attending Wayne State University and the University of California, Los Angeles. His feature debut was the Korean War drama “War Hunt” (1962), starring John Saxon and Sydney Pollack.
Skerritt was also a founder of The Film School, a Seattle organization created to support rising filmmakers. He co-founded The Red Badge Project to help veterans find assistance for handling post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Skerritt even gave a TED Talk on both causes in 2016. He also supported river conservation through partnerships with the Wildlands Festival, American Rivers, and the Gallatin River Task Force.
Skerritt married three times. He married his first wife Charlotte Shanks in 1957 before divorcing in 1972. His marriage to Sue Oran began in 1977 and ended in 1992. He was married to his third wife, Julie Tokashiki, from 1998 until his death. He is survived by Julie; his children, Andy, Erin Matt, Collin, and Emiko; his grandchildren, Sara, Maddison, Sunny, Louisa, and Georgia; and his great-grandchildren, Marigold and Ravi.
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