Tom Skerritt, the Emmy-winning actor from "Top Gun," "Alien" and "Picket Fences," died on Oct. 21 at his home in Seattle. He was 93.

His family said he died of natural causes. They announced his death in a statement on Thursday, Oct. 22.

"We knew him for his humor, curiosity, wisdom, generosity, and the love he brought into our lives," the family said.

Born in Detroit in 1933, Skerritt served four years in the U.S. Air Force and came to Hollywood hoping to direct.

He made his film debut in 1962 in "War Hunt" with a young Robert Redford. His breakthrough came in Robert Altman's "M*A*S*H" in 1970.

In 1979's "Alien" he played the doomed Capt. Dallas opposite Sigourney Weaver.

Seven years later he played Viper, Tom Cruise's no-nonsense flight instructor, in "Top Gun."

His other films include "Steel Magnolias," where he played Sally Field's husband, and Redford's "A River Runs Through It."

On TV he starred as Sheriff Jimmy Brock in "Picket Fences" and won an Emmy for the role in 1993.

In Seattle he helped found TheFilmSchool and co-founded the Red Badge Project, which helps veterans write about their experiences.

His family had not announced plans for a public memorial as of Oct. 27.

Read the full article for more on Tom Skerritt's life and six-decade career.