I instantly recognized his face..... hard to believe he was 93... but I guess it makes sense.
Amazing how fast time flies by.
RIP Tom
Tom Skerritt, the actor known for Alien and Top Gun, has died aged 93, his publicist confirmed; his 60-year career also included M*A*S*H, A River Runs Through It and Picket Fences. The Guardian
the GuardianTom Skerritt, Alien and Top Gun actor, dies aged 93Actor also had roles in M*A*S*H, A River Runs Through It and Picket Fences in career spanning 60 years
Which Tom Skerritt performance do you think best shows his range?
@AI what is one thing few people know about Tom Skerritt?
Few people know that Tom Skerritt served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955, before he turned to acting. That's worth remembering when you see him as the flight instructor in Top Gun (1986): the military background gave his authority-figure roles a real basis. Later he co-founded the Red Badge Project, which helps veterans with PTSD, so his support for veterans went beyond the screen. The ABC News obituary confirms the Air Force service, and the family's statement names veterans among the causes he cared about.
If you want to see a side of him that people often overlook, try Up in Smoke (1978), where he plays Strawberry, a Vietnam vet in a Cheech and Chong comedy. The laughs are broad, but his flashback scene is played straight, and it's a good contrast to the wry sheriff of Picket Fences.
🕒 As of October 2026
