Tom Skerritt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Skerritt
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Skerritt in 1994
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| Born |
Thomas Roy Skerritt
August 25, 1933 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
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| Died | October 21, 2026 (aged 93) |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1961–2026 |
| Spouse(s) |
Charlotte Shanks
(m. 1957; div. 1972)Sue Oran
(m. 1977; div. 1992)Julie Tokashiki
(m. 1998) |
| Children | 5 |
| Military service | |
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Branch
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United States Air Force |
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Service years
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1951–1955 |
| Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters". | |
Thomas Roy Skerritt (August 25, 1933 – October 21, 2026) was an American actor and director. He performed in more than 170 films and television shows during his long career. He first became widely known during the era called New Hollywood. One of his earliest major roles was as Duke Forrest in the movie M*A*S*H (1970), directed by Robert Altman. Over several decades, he played spaceship captains, military pilots, loving fathers, and small-town sheriffs.
Younger and older audiences recognized him from many famous movies. He starred in the space adventure Alien (1979) and the flight action movie Top Gun (1986). On television, he starred in the family drama Picket Fences, which brought him an Emmy Award. Throughout his life, he worked in theater, movies, television, and even video games.
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Early Life and Education
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Skerritt was born in Detroit, Michigan, on August 25, 1933. His mother Helen took care of the home, while his father Roy worked as a businessman. Tom was the youngest of three children in his family. He grew up in the city and graduated from Mackenzie High School in 1951.
Soon after finishing high school, Skerritt joined the United States Air Force. He served in the military for four years. During his service, he worked as a classifications specialist. He spent most of his military years stationed at Bergstrom Field in Austin, Texas.
After completing his military service, Skerritt decided to continue his education. He attended Henry Ford College and then studied at Wayne State University. Later, he moved to California to study at the University of California, Los Angeles. At first, he planned to study English. However, he soon discovered an interest in stage directing and acting. While performing in a play named The Rainmaker, talent scouts noticed his acting ability. He chose to leave university to begin a full-time career in show business.
Acting Career on Screen
Early Television and Western Shows
Skerritt began his screen career in 1962. His first movie appearance was in War Hunt, produced by Terry Sanders. During the 1960s, he appeared as a guest actor on many popular television series. For example, he played a friendly letter carrier on The Real McCoys. He also acted opposite actor Ray Walston on My Favorite Martian.
During this period, television westerns were very popular in the United States. Skerritt guest-starred in several episodes of the frontier show Gunsmoke between 1965 and 1972. He also rode horses on the series Bonanza and appeared on the historical show Death Valley Days. In one memorable episode, he played the famous American author Mark Twain, alongside actor Dabney Coleman. He also took roles on action shows like Twelve O'Clock High, The Fugitive, and The Time Tunnel.
Big Movie Hits and Famous Roles
Skerritt's film career grew rapidly during the 1970s. After his success in M*A*S*H, he played police officers, detectives, and everyday heroes. In 1977, he co-starred in the drama The Turning Point. His performance in that film earned him a National Board of Review award.
In 1979, Skerritt landed one of his most famous roles in the science fiction movie Alien. He played Captain Arthur Dallas, commander of the commercial starship Nostromo. The movie became a massive hit and remains a classic of space cinema.
During the 1980s, Skerritt continued to take high-profile parts. In 1986, he played flight instructor Commander Mike "Viper" Metcalf in the action blockbuster Top Gun. That same year, he played an astronaut trainer in SpaceCamp. In 1989, he joined an all-star cast in the movie Steel Magnolias, playing husband to Sally Field's character. In 1992, he starred in A River Runs Through It, directed by Robert Redford. In that film, he played a minister who teaches his two sons the skill of fly fishing. Later, he appeared with Jodie Foster in the space exploration movie Contact (1997).
Television Success and Later Work
Skerritt found major success on television in the 1990s. From 1992 to 1996, he starred as Sheriff Jimmy Brock on the CBS drama Picket Fences. His co-star Ray Walston worked with him on the show. Skerritt's acting won praise, earning him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
He also appeared in comedy and drama shows such as Cheers, playing boss Evan Drake. Later in his life, he guest-starred in shows like Brothers & Sisters, The West Wing, and Leverage. He lent his voice to video games, such as the western game Gun and the sci-fi game Alien: Isolation. In 2012, he danced in the stage performance of Don Quixote with the Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Personal Life and Legacy
Outside of acting, Skerritt started an entertainment company called Heyou Media, located in Seattle, Washington. He was married three times and raised five children. In 2022, he received the honorary Mary Pickford Award from the International Press Academy for his artistic contributions. Skerritt lived a long life, passing away on October 21, 2026, at the age of 93.
See also
In Spanish: Tom Skerritt para niños
