Actor Tom Skerritt, ‘Alien’ and ‘Top Gun’ star, dies at 93

Veteran actor Tom Skerritt, best known for his roles in blockbuster hits like 'Alien', 'Top Gun', and 'M*A*S*H', has passed away at the age of 93. A Detroit native, Skerritt served in the US Air Force before embarking on a successful Hollywood career that spanned from the 1960s to the 2020s. His family announced his death on Wednesday, attributing it to natural causes.

Skerritt's family described him as a man of humor, curiosity, wisdom, generosity, and love, who deeply cared about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world, and empowering others to express themselves. Skerritt's breakthrough role came in the 1970 Korean War black comedy 'M*A*S*H', in which he portrayed the roguish US Army surgeon, Duke Forrest.

His performance in the film, which was nominated for five Academy Awards, earned him widespread acclaim. Skerritt went on to deliver memorable performances in a variety of genres, including the claustrophobic sci-fi horror 'Alien', where he played the captain of an ill-fated spacecraft, Dallas. His role in 'Alien', particularly the iconic chestburster scene, was widely praised.

Skerritt also starred alongside strong female characters, such as Sigourney Weaver's courageous heroine, Ripley, in 'Alien' and Sally Field's M Lynn Eatenton in 'Steel Magnolias'. His other notable film appearances include 'Top Gun', where he played naval aviation instructor Viper Metcalf, and 'The Turning Point', in which he portrayed Shirley MacLaine's husband.

On the small screen, Skerritt starred in the CBS series 'Picket Fences' from 1992 to 1996, earning an Emmy nomination for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 1993. Born on August 25, 1933, Skerritt served in the US Air Force before becoming an actor, making his film debut in 1962 alongside a young Redford in 'War Hunt'. He was married three times and a proud father of five children.