Actor Tom Skerritt, best known for his roles in “Top Gun,” “Alien” and “Steel Magnolias,” has died, his family announced Thursday.
Skerritt died Wednesday of natural causes, according to his heartbroken 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. He cared deeply about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world, and helping others find and share their own voices,” the family said. “We are incredibly grateful for the love and support being shown by his friends, colleagues, and fans. We ask for privacy as our family grieves. Information regarding a memorial will be shared at a later date.”
Throughout his six-decade-long career, Skerritt played some of the most memorable roles in film and TV. Among them was “Viper,” a mentor to Tom Cruise’s “Maverick” character in the 1986 film “Top Gun.” He also appeared in “A River Runs Through It” alongside Robert Redford and in “Alien” with Sigourney Weaver.
In addition to his illustrious career, Skerritt helped found TheFilmSchool in Seattle and launched the Red Badge Project, which helps veterans work through PTSD and other mental health conditions by writing and sharing their experiences, according to his family.
While filming “A River Runs Through It” in the 1990s, Skerritt developed a passion for environmental protection, eventually leading him to make “Reflections of the River,” a documentary series exploring the health of America’s rivers and the urgent need to protect them. He also supported river conservation through partnerships with the Wildlands Festival, American Rivers and the Gallatin River Task Force, his family said.
Skerritt is survived by his wife Julie as well as his children Andy, Erin, Matt, Collin and Emiko. He had five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
