# Tom Skerritt dies at 93: the Top Gun, Alien and Picket Fences actor won an Emmy in 1993

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/entertainment/tom-skerritt-dies-at-93-the-top-gun-alien-and-picket-fences-actor-won-an-emmy-in)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 23 Oct 2026
Updated: 23 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 26 Oct 2026

> Skerritt played Viper in Top Gun, Captain Dallas in Alien and Duke in M*A*S*H. His family said he died of natural causes on Wednesday.

**Tom Skerritt, the American actor known for Top Gun, Alien and the TV series Picket Fences, has died at the age of 93.** His publicist confirmed the death to [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tom-skerritt-dies-age-93-alien-top-gun-picket-fences/) on Thursday, saying he died on Wednesday 21 October of natural causes. "We are heartbroken by his loss," his family said in a statement.

## The roles people remember

Skerritt had one of those faces audiences knew even when they could not place the name. His best-known parts:

| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | M*A*S*H | Captain Augustus Bedford "Duke" Forrest |
| 1979 | Alien | Captain Arthur Dallas, commander of the Nostromo |
| 1983 | The Dead Zone | Sheriff George Bannerman |
| 1986 | Top Gun | Commander Mike "Viper" Metcalf |
| 1989 | Steel Magnolias | Drum Eatenton |
| 1992 | A River Runs Through It | Reverend John Maclean |
| 1992 to 1996 | Picket Fences | Sheriff Jimmy Brock |
| 1997 | Contact | David Drumlin |
| 2006 to 2008 | Brothers & Sisters | William Walker |

Role years are from his filmography on [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Skerritt).

## Viper, Dallas and an Emmy

In Top Gun Skerritt was Viper, the commander of the Navy's fighter school and the instructor of Tom Cruise's Maverick. In Alien he was Captain Dallas, who led the crew of the spaceship Nostromo.

On television he led Picket Fences, a small-town drama, playing Sheriff Jimmy Brock for four seasons and 87 episodes. The part won him the **1993 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series**.

## A life before Hollywood

Skerritt was born in Detroit, Michigan, in August 1933 and served in the US Air Force before turning to acting, CBS News noted. He was a father of five.

His death comes a day after another Hollywood loss we reported, [Dame Judi Dench saying she can no longer act or read](/news/entertainment/judi-dench-91-says-macular-degeneration-means-she-can-no-longer-act-or-read) because of macular degeneration.

## Frequently asked questions

**How did Tom Skerritt die?**

His family said he died of natural causes on Wednesday 21 October 2026, aged 93. His publicist confirmed the death to CBS News.

**Who did Tom Skerritt play in Top Gun?**

He played Commander Mike Viper Metcalf, the head of the Navy fighter school, in Top Gun (1986).

## Sources

- Tom Skerritt, known for roles in Alien, Picket Fences, dies at 93 (CBS News): https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tom-skerritt-dies-age-93-alien-top-gun-picket-fences/
- Tom Skerritt dies at 93 (video report) (CBS News): https://www.cbsnews.com/video/tom-skerritt-dies-93/
- Tom Skerritt filmography (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Skerritt

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