Tom Skerritt, Emmy-winning star of 'Picket Fences,' 'Alien' and 'Top Gun,' dies at 93

Family says actor died Wednesday of natural causes, remembered for humor, generosity and devotion to storytelling

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

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Tom Skerritt, the Emmy-winning actor known for his roles as the doomed captain in 'Alien,' a flight instructor in 'Top Gun' and the sheriff in TV's 'Picket Fences,' has died at 93. His family said he died Wednesday of natural causes.

Skerritt's family confirmed his death in a statement, saying: "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. He cared deeply about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world and helping others find and share their own voices."

Skerritt was twice nominated for an Emmy for "Picket Fences," winning outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 1993. He played the kindly sheriff in David E. Kelley's comedy-drama, which ran from 1992 to 1996 and won 14 Emmys and a Golden Globe. He also appeared in "The Turning Point," "Steel Magnolias" and "Contact."

Born into a middle-class Detroit family, Skerritt spent four years in the Air Force and studied filmmaking at UCLA after being inspired by "Citizen Kane." His first film role came in the 1962 Korean War film "War Hunt," which also marked the debuts of Robert Redford, Sydney Pollack and Francis Ford Coppola. Redford later cast him in "A River Runs Through It," and the two became lifelong friends. "There was such a deep connection we made with each other that it matured into a level-headed friendship," Redford told the Seattle Times in 2007. "His values were close to mine, and he kept his integrity."

Skerritt said he was drawn to "Alien" because the lead actor disappears and "the woman becomes the hero. I really like that idea." He described "Picket Fences" as "written by the best writer on television."

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

Analysis

Why This Matters

Skerritt represented a generation of actors who moved fluidly between film and television, helping define the modern prestige TV era with "Picket Fences."
His death closes a chapter on several iconic films, including "Alien," "Top Gun" and "A River Runs Through It," which remain touchstones for new audiences.
His family's statement emphasizes his work with veterans and the natural world, pointing to a legacy beyond the screen.

Background

Skerritt grew up in Detroit, served in the Air Force and studied filmmaking at UCLA before breaking into acting in the early 1960s. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he became known for roles that balanced warmth with quiet authority. He described himself as "a character actor locked in a leading man's body," a phrase he said he loved. He also appeared on stage, including a Broadway debut in 2013.

Key Perspectives

Skerritt's family: They remember him for his humor, curiosity, wisdom and generosity, and for his commitment to helping others find their own voices. Skerritt himself: He expressed no regrets about a directing career that never fully materialized, saying acting proved to be good training and that "the years flew by." Robert Redford: The late actor and director praised Skerritt's integrity and values, describing their connection as a deep, level-headed friendship.

What to Watch

Tributes and retrospectives from colleagues and co-stars, which may offer new personal remembrances.
Renewed streaming interest in "Picket Fences," "Alien" and "Top Gun" as audiences revisit his work.
Any public memorial or charity focus named by the family, given his stated care for veterans and the natural world.

Sources

Tom Skerritt, Emmy-winning actor with roles in 'Picket Fences,' 'Alien' and 'Top Gun,' dies at 93 · Philadelphia Inquirer
Emmy-winning Alien and Top Gun actor Tom Skerritt dies aged 93 · The Irish News
Tom Skerritt, Emmy-winning actor with roles in 'Picket Fences,' 'Alien' and 'Top Gun,' dies at 93 · LAist

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12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.

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SupportedTom Skerritt, an Emmy-winning actor associated with “Picket Fences,” “Alien” and “Top Gun,” died at 93.LAist: “Tom Skerritt, Emmy-winning actor with roles in 'Picket Fences,' 'Alien' and 'Top Gun,' dies at 93.”
SupportedSkerritt’s family said he died Wednesday of natural causes.LAist: “Skerritt died Wednesday of natural causes, his family said in a statement.”
SupportedSkerritt’s family said, “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.”LAist: ““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,””
SupportedSkerritt’s family said he cared deeply about “imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world and helping others find and share their own voices.”LAist: “He cared deeply about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world and helping others find and share their own voices,””
SupportedSkerritt was twice nominated for an Emmy for “Picket Fences” and won outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 1993.LAist: “Skerritt was twice nominated for an Emmy — both for “Picket Fences,” winning outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 1993.”
Partly supportedSkerritt was born into a middle-class Detroit family.LAist: “Skerritt grew up in a middle-class Detroit family, his father a small businessman and his mother a housewife.”
SupportedSkerritt’s first film role was in the 1962 Korean War film “War Hunt,” which also marked the debuts of Robert Redford, Sydney Pollack and Francis Ford Coppola.LAist: “His performance in a Los Angeles theater production of “The Rainmaker” led to his first film role — a supporting role as a sergeant in the 1962 scrappy, $250,000 independent Korean War film “War Hunt.” The movie marked the debuts of Skerritt, Robert Redford, Sydney Pollack and Francis Ford Coppola.”
SupportedRedford later cast Skerritt in “A River Runs Through It,” and they became lifelong friends.LAist: “Years later, Redford, now directing, paid Skerritt back with compound interest in “A River Runs Through It,” handing him the plum role of the stern Rev. John Maclean”
SupportedRedford said, “There was such a deep connection we made with each other that it matured into a level-headed friendship. His values were close to mine, and he kept his integrity.”LAist: ““There was such a deep connection we made with each other that it matured into a level-headed friendship,” Redford told the Seattle Times in 2007. “His values were close to mine, and he kept his integrity.””
SupportedSkerritt said he was drawn to “Alien” because “the lead actor disappears and ‘the woman becomes the hero. I really like that idea.’”LAist: “He told the Seattle Times that what appealed to him in the script was that the lead actor disappeared and “the woman becomes the hero. I really like that idea.””
SupportedSkerritt described “Picket Fences” as “written by the best writer on television.”LAist: ““It was written by the best writer on television,” he told the A.V. Club in 2019.”
Supported“Picket Fences” ran from 1992 to 1996 and won 14 Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.LAist: “a comedy created by David E. Kelley that won 14 Emmy Awards — one for Skerritt — and a Golden Globe over its four-year run from 1992 to 1996.”