Tom Skerritt, the Emmy-winning actor known for playing the flight instructor Viper in “Top Gun,” the doomed Capt. Dallas in “Alien” and Sheriff Jimmy Brock on TV’s “Picket Fences,” died on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, at his home in Seattle. He was 93. His family said he died of natural causes, according to NBC News and the BBC. If you are wondering what happened to Tom Skerritt, here is what his family and multiple news outlets have confirmed, along with a look at his career.
Key facts
- Died: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, at his home in Seattle, according to The Seattle Times; NBC News and the BBC also reported he died Wednesday.
- Age: 93. He was born Aug. 25, 1933, in Detroit, NBC News reported.
- Cause: Natural causes, according to a family statement reported by NBC News and the BBC.
- Best known for: “M*A*S*H,” “Alien,” “Top Gun,” “Steel Magnolias,” “A River Runs Through It” and “Picket Fences.”
What happened to Tom Skerritt
Skerritt’s family announced his death in a statement on Thursday, Oct. 22. The Associated Press reported the news that day, describing him as an Emmy-winning actor who “embodied a solid, wry authority figure.” NBC News and the BBC both reported that he died Wednesday of natural causes, citing the family.
“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 said in the statement, as quoted by NBC News. The family added that he “cared deeply about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world, and helping others find and share their own voices.”
The Seattle Times reported that he died at his home in Seattle. No other details about his death have been released, and his family has not announced public memorial plans in the coverage reviewed for this article.
A career spanning six decades
Before acting, Skerritt served four years in the U.S. Air Force and arrived in Hollywood intending to become a director, according to NBC News. The BBC reported that he made his film debut in 1962 in “War Hunt,” alongside a young Robert Redford.
His breakthrough came as Capt. Duke Forrest in Robert Altman’s 1970 war comedy “M*A*S*H,” both NBC News and the BBC reported. He went on to roles in “The Turning Point” (1977), “Up in Smoke,” “The Dead Zone” and “Steel Magnolias” (1989), in which he played Sally Field’s husband.
Moviegoers know him best for two roles. In the 1979 science fiction film “Alien,” he played the doomed Capt. Dallas opposite Sigourney Weaver, the AP and the BBC reported. In the 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun,” he played Cmdr. Mike “Viper” Metcalf, Tom Cruise’s no-nonsense flight instructor, as NBC News described the role. The BBC quoted a 2019 interview, reported by Reuters, in which Skerritt said of “Alien”: “Every one of us had that immediate rapport with each other.”
He reunited with Redford, this time as director, for the 1992 film “A River Runs Through It,” playing a stern minister, NBC News reported.
Television work and an Emmy
On television, Skerritt starred as Sheriff Jimmy Brock in David E. Kelley’s “Picket Fences,” which ran from 1992 to 1996. He won an Emmy for the role in 1993, according to the BBC. He also had a six-episode arc on “Cheers” as Evan Drake, played the family patriarch William Walker on “Brothers & Sisters” from 2007 to 2009, and made guest appearances on shows including “The West Wing” and “Law & Order: SVU,” the BBC reported.
Lauren Holly, who played his deputy on “Picket Fences,” called him “our leader” in a tribute quoted by the BBC. “His example made those years such a joy and we all loved and respected him so much,” she wrote.
Timeline
- Aug. 25, 1933: Born in Detroit, according to NBC News.
- 1962: Film debut in “War Hunt,” the BBC reported.
- 1970: Breakthrough role as Duke Forrest in “M*A*S*H.”
- 1979: Plays Capt. Dallas in “Alien.”
- 1986: Plays Viper in “Top Gun.”
- 1992–1996: Stars in “Picket Fences”; wins an Emmy in 1993.
- 2016: Starts Heyou Media, a Seattle digital entertainment company, NBC News reported.
- Oct. 21, 2026: Dies at home in Seattle at 93.
- Oct. 22, 2026: Family announces his death.
Why it matters
Skerritt was one of Hollywood’s most recognizable character actors, appearing in several films that remain widely watched decades after release. The BBC noted that “Alien” earned two Oscar nominations and led to three sequels and several crossover projects, while NBC News called “Top Gun” a 1986 blockbuster.
His work off screen is also part of his legacy. The BBC reported that he helped found TheFilmSchool in Seattle and co-founded the Red Badge Project, which helps veterans work through post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression by writing about their experiences. The Seattle Times also highlighted the Red Badge Project in its obituary. The BBC said he created the documentary series “Reflections of the River” and supported river conservation.
What’s next
As of Oct. 27, his family had not announced details of any public memorial in the reports reviewed here. Tributes from former co-stars have continued to appear since the announcement. This article will be updated if the family shares further plans. For more developing stories, catch the latest trending news and trends news on our hub.
FAQ
How did Tom Skerritt die?
His family said he died of natural causes, according to NBC News and the BBC. No further details have been released.
How old was Tom Skerritt?
He was 93. He was born Aug. 25, 1933, in Detroit.
When and where did Tom Skerritt die?
He died on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, at his home in Seattle, The Seattle Times reported.
Who did Tom Skerritt play in “Top Gun”?
He played Cmdr. Mike “Viper” Metcalf, the flight instructor to Tom Cruise’s character.
Did Tom Skerritt win an Emmy?
Yes. He won an Emmy in 1993 for playing Sheriff Jimmy Brock on “Picket Fences,” the BBC reported.
Updated October 27, 2026