Emmy award-winning actor Tom Skerritt of 'Alien' and 'Picket Fences' fame dies at 93

Emmy award-winning actor Tom Skerritt, known for a leading role in the TV show "Picket Fences," and as a flight instructor in "Top Gun," died Wednesday at the age of 93-years-old, his family said Thursday.

Skerritt's family said the actor, who died of natural causes, was known to them for his "generosity" and "humor."  

“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," the family told the Associated Press. "He cared deeply about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world and helping others find and share their own voices."

Skerritt won an Emmy in 1993 for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for his role in "Picket Fences," and was nominated one other time for the same role. 

The actor, who notably played the patient husband of Shirley MacLaine in “Turning Point,” and Sally Field’s husband in “Steel Magnolias," got his start in Hollywood with a supporting role as a sergeant in the 1962 independent Korean War film “War Hunt.” The movie marked the debuts of Skerritt, Robert Redford, Sydney Pollack and Francis Ford Coppola.

Skerritt's career took off after his role in "Turning Point," which led to his role as Captain Dallas of the ship Nostromo in the 1979 science fiction film "Alien." He also gave a memorable performance as Tom Cruise's flight instructor in "Top Gun."

He is survived by his third wife, Julie Tokashiki, and five children.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.