Tom Skerritt, star of Alien and Picket Fences, dies at 93
His family confirmed the death of the Emmy-winning actor, whose film and television credits included Alien, Top Gun, Picket Fences and A River Runs Through It.
By Hushread Stories, from 10 outlets · First published 22 Oct 2026
In brief
- Tom Skerritt, known for Alien, Top Gun and Picket Fences, has died at the age of 93.
- He died Wednesday of natural causes, with his family confirming his death publicly on Thursday.
- Skerritt won an Emmy for playing a sheriff in Picket Fences, alongside his extensive film work.
- His film credits also included MASH, Steel Magnolias, Contact, A River Runs Through It and Ted.
- The available reports establish his death and cause but do not provide details about memorial arrangements.
Timeline · 2 moments
Family confirmation of Skerritt's death is reported Thursday
NBC News ↗Tom Skerritt dies at 93 of natural causes
Variety Movies ↗An actor known across film and television
Tom Skerritt, whose work ranged from Alien and Top Gun to the television drama Picket Fences, has died at 93. Variety Movies confirmed that he died Wednesday of natural causes.
His career included both major Hollywood films and an Emmy-winning television role. NBC News reported that he won the award for playing a hard-working sheriff in Picket Fences.
The death and family confirmation
Skerritt died on Wednesday, October 21, according to the account published by Variety Movies the following day. Its report listed credits spanning MASH, Alien, Top Gun, A River Runs Through It and Ted.
On Thursday, October 22, NBC News reported that his family had confirmed his death. TMZ also attributed confirmation of his death from natural causes to his family.
The October 22 coverage recalled several distinct parts of his career. Consequence of Sound highlighted his roles as the doomed captain in Ridley Scott's Alien and Sheriff Jimmy Brock in Picket Fences. IndieWire Movies also included Contact and Steel Magnolias among his credits.
What is confirmed
The reports agree that Skerritt died at 93, with Variety Movies and TMZ identifying natural causes. The supplied coverage does not give a location of death or details of memorial arrangements.
For now, the accounts centre on his family's confirmation and the breadth of his screen work, from the captain in Alien to the sheriff whose portrayal earned him an Emmy.
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