Tom Skerritt, star of Alien and Top Gun, dies at 93

Summary

US actor Tom Skerritt, known for Alien, Top Gun and M*A*S*H, died aged 93 on Wednesday of natural causes, his family said. His publicist confirmed the death to Variety. He was an Emmy award-winning actor known for Picket Fences, and the BBC says he starred in Top Gun, Steel Magnolias and Alien. The South China Morning Post reports that he was a Detroit native whose Hollywood career ran from the 1960s to the 2020s, and that his family remembered his humour, curiosity, wisdom and generosity. The Guardian adds that his career spanned 60 years and included roles in M*A*S*H and A River Runs Through It.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   22 Oct 2026, 20:19 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Tom Skerritt, known for Alien and Top Gun, died aged 93 of natural causes, and that his publicist confirmed the death to Variety.

2. ABC

   22 Oct 2026, 20:51 UTCSource ↗

   ABC reports that Emmy award-winning actor Tom Skerritt, known for Picket Fences, Top Gun and Alien, has died aged 93.

3. South China Morning Post

   22 Oct 2026, 21:02 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that Tom Skerritt, star of Alien, M*A*S*H and Top Gun, died at 93 on Wednesday of natural causes, according to a family statement.

4. BBC

   22 Oct 2026, 21:10 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports that US actor Tom Skerritt, who starred in Top Gun, Steel Magnolias and Alien, died aged 93 on Wednesday of natural causes, his family said.

5. Euronews

   23 Oct 2026, 09:17 UTCSource ↗

   Euronews reports that Tom Skerritt, a Hollywood veteran known for Alien and Top Gun, died aged 93 of natural causes, according to a family statement.