Tom Skerritt, known for his roles in Alien and Top Gun, died Wednesday of natural causes at age 93, his family announced. They remembered his humor, generosity and love, as well as his interest in storytelling, nature and helping others. He is survived by his wife, Julie Tokashiki, and five children. Julia Roberts, who played his daughter in Steel Magnolias, shared a photo of them and described him as a gentle man.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Skerritt served four years in the US Air Force before discovering theater at UCLA. Although he initially wanted to direct, he built a career in acting. His first movie, War Hunt, came out in 1962 and also marked Robert Redford's film debut. He later appeared in Robert Altman's M*A*S*H.
In Ridley Scott's 1979 movie Alien, Skerritt played spaceship captain Dallas. His character's death partway through the film surprised early audiences, while Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley emerged as the hero. Skerritt often played people in positions of authority, including a flight instructor in Top Gun and a sheriff in Picket Fences. The television role earned him two Emmy nominations and a win for lead actor in a drama series in 1993. His other films included A River Runs Through It and Steel Magnolias.
