Tom Skerritt dead at 93: Actor known for Top Gun and Alien passes away as heartbroken family pay tribute

Published: 15:27 EDT, 22 October 2026 | Updated: 15:43 EDT, 22 October 2026 Tom Skerritt, best known for his role in the original 1979 Alien film, has died.According to the Hollywood Reporter, the actor passed away on Wednesday of natural causes.'We are heartbroken by his loss,' his family told the publication in a statement.'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,' they continued.'He cared deeply about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world and helping others find and share their own voices.' Skerritt, who has five children, married his third wife, Julie Tokashiki, in 1998. Actor Tom Skerritt, best known for his roles in Alien and Top Gun, died of natural causes on Wednesday at age 93; pictured in 2024 Skerritt played Dallas, captain of the Nostromo, in Ridley Scott's 1979 sci-fi masterpiece AlienHe appeared in many classic films throughout his six-decade career, but his most iconic role is arguably playing Dallas, captain of the Nostromo, in Ridley Scott's sci-fi masterpiece Alien. Skerritt also starred alongside Tom Cruise in the original Top Gun movie, taking on the role of Mike 'Viper' Metcalf.Some of his other memorable projects include Steel Magnolias, Robert Redford's A River Runs Through It, and 1977's The Turning Point, which was nominated for 11 Academy Awards.Another one of his most iconic early roles was playing Captain Augustus 'Duke' Forrest in Robert Altman's 1970 film M*A*S*H. He also starred alongside Tom Cruise in the original Top Gun movie, taking on the role of Mike 'Viper' Metcalf Skerritt is pictured in the 1970 war classic M*A*S*H with Donald SutherlandSkerritt was also a prolific television actor, nabbing an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in the family drama Picket Fences.In 1987, he joined the sixth season of the hit sitcom Cheers, playing Evan Drake, one of the bosses at the Lillian Corporation.He also appeared in Brothers & Sisters, The West Wing, Will & Grace, Roseanne, Cannon, and The Twilight Zone.