Tom Skerritt, Alien and Picket Fences Star, Dead at 93

Actor Tom Skerritt has died at the age of 93. According to reports from TVLine, Variety, and Consequence, he passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, of natural causes. His family confirmed the news to Deadline, while Variety noted they confirmed the death with his publicist.

Skerritt was an Emmy-winning actor known for his roles in various films and television series. TVLine and Variety highlight his work in the sci-fi film Alien and the drama Picket Fences, for which he won an Emmy. His film credits included Top Gun, M*A*S*H, A River Runs Through It, Steel Magnolias, Poltergeist III, Contact, and Ted, according to TVLine and Variety. The Hollywood Reporter noted he was mentored by Robert Altman in M*A*S*H and also appeared in The Turning Point.

In a statement shared by his family and reported by TVLine, they described him as a man of humor, wisdom, and generosity who cared deeply about storytelling, veterans, and the natural world. Deadline noted he was often recognized for his quiet, powerful presence and infectious smile during a career spanning more than 60 years.

Brief written by urgent.news from Consequence, TVLine, Deadline, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.