Tom Skerritt Dies at 93: 'Top Gun' and 'Alien' Star Passes Away
Tom Skerritt died of natural causes, according to his family. He broke through in 1970 with 'M*A*S*H' and won an Emmy in 1993.
By Marcel
Automatically translated from German · may contain errors · Read the original
American actor Tom Skerritt has died. He died of natural causes on Wednesday, October 21, at the age of 93, his family said.
"His loss breaks our hearts," the family said. They remembered his humor, his wisdom and his generosity.
Six decades in Hollywood
Skerritt's career in Hollywood spanned six decades. He broke through in 1970 with the war comedy "M*A*S*H."
In 1979, he played Captain Dallas in the science fiction classic "Alien." According to the trade publication The Hollywood Reporter, Skerritt initially turned down the role. He accepted it only after director Ridley Scott agreed to his terms.
In "Top Gun" in 1986, he played Mike "Viper" Metcalf, the strict instructor of the character played by Tom Cruise.
On television, Skerritt played Sheriff Jimmy Brock in the series "Picket Fences." He won an Emmy for the role in 1993.