Julia Roberts leads celebrity tributes to 'gentle man' Tom Skerritt after Top Gun star's death at 93

Julia Roberts led the emotional celebrity tributes to Tom Skerritt following his death at age 93. 

The late actor, who was known for his roles in iconic films such as Alien and Top Gun, passed away on Wednesday, October 21 of natural causes, per The Hollywood Reporter. 

Roberts, 58, previously starred alongside Skerritt in the 1989 movie Steel Magnolias, where he had played her on-screen father. 

The actress uploaded a throwback photo of the pair as she sent a smile towards Skerritt and penned in the caption: 'A shining light of a gentle man. RIP,' followed by a broken heart emoji. 

Kathy Baker, who worked with Skerritt on the '90s drama series Picket Fences, said that her 'heart is broken' upon hearing the news of the actor's death. 

She had played the character of Dr. Jill Brock, while Skerritt had portrayed Sheriff Jimmy Brock on the show which aired from 1992-1996.

'My heart is broken to hear of the passing of dear, lovely, loving, Tom, my TV husband, my partner, my darling friend,' Baker said in a statement to People. 

'He taught me so much during our four years on Picket Fences,' the actress further reflected. 

'I couldn't have asked for a more gracious and kind actor to work with, and it was very special to share with him the incredible run of the show.' 

Lauren Holly had also been a cast member on Picket Fences and uploaded a photo of herself and Skerritt on the series. 

In the caption, Holly wrote that she had 'adored' Skerritt and 'was lucky enough to work with him on more than one project, but the first was Picket Fences.'

She continued, 'He was our leader. His example made those years such a joy and we all loved and respected him so much. 

'He cared deeply for his family-both the one at home and the one at work. He cared deeply for his planet, and all of its inhabitants.'

Holly told her followers that Skerritt 'had a huge impact on my life, and so many memories I have of him include sharing fits of crippling laughter. Rest easy my friend. I will think of you often.' 

Justin Shenkarow also appeared in Picket Fences as Matthew Brock and paid tribute to his late co-star. 

Alongside a clip from the show, he wrote, 'Rest easy Tom. You'll be incredibly missed, thank you for gracing us with your presence and it was such a privilege working with you on Picket Fences.'

And over the video, he added the additional message: 'You were loved by so many and I will miss you tremendously. 

'I'm incredibly grateful that I had the privilege of working with you on Picket Fences. You're a legend.' 

Following his death, Skerritt's family told The Hollywood Reporter, 'We are heartbroken by his loss.

'While the world knew Tom through his remarkable acting career, we knew him for his humor, curiosity, wisdom, generosity and the love he brought into our lives,' they continued.

'He cared deeply about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world and helping others find and share their own voices.'

Skerritt, who has five children, married his third wife, Julie Tokashiki, in 1998. 

He appeared in many classic films throughout his six-decade career, but his most iconic role is arguably playing Dallas, captain of the Nostromo, in Ridley Scott's masterpiece Alien.

The film became a landmark of science-fiction cinema and launched a franchise that continued with Aliens, Alien 3, Alien: Resurrection and, more recently, the 2024 film Alien: Romulus.

While Skerritt never appeared in any of the sequels, he did reprise his role as Dallas in the 2014 video game Alien: Isolation, which has been lauded as one of the greatest video games ever made.

Skerritt also starred alongside Tom Cruise in the original Top Gun movie, taking on the role of Mike 'Viper' Metcalf.

Some of his other memorable projects include Steel Magnolias, Robert Redford's A River Runs Through It, and 1977's The Turning Point, which was nominated for 11 Academy Awards.

Another one of his most iconic early roles was playing Captain Augustus 'Duke' Forrest in Robert Altman's 1970 film M*A*S*H.

Skerritt was also a prolific television actor, nabbing an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for the family drama Picket Fences.

In 1987, he joined the sixth season of the hit sitcom Cheers, playing Evan Drake, one of the bosses at the Lillian Corporation.

He also appeared in Brothers & Sisters, The West Wing, Will & Grace, Roseanne, Cannon, and The Twilight Zone.

Skerritt even had a theatre career, appearing as the narrator in a 2004 production of Our Town at Seattle’s Intiman Theatre.

He made his Broadway debut in 2013 in a stage adaptation of John Grisham’s A Time to Kill.

His later screen work included the 2025 Western drama Broke, starring Wyatt Russell and Dennis Quaid.

In addition to his Emmy, Skerritt is a three-time SAG Award nominee and is both a Saturn Award and Western Heritage Award winner.

In 2022, he received the International Press Academy's honorary Mary Pickford Award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to the Entertainment Industry.

He shared three children with his first wife Charlotte Shanks, whom he split from in 1972.

Skerritt went on to marry Sue Oran from 1977 to 1992, and they had one son together.

He also has a daughter with his third and final wife Julie Tokashiki.

Away from acting, Skerritt supported military veterans and helped establish the Red Badge Project, an organization that uses storytelling and creative writing to assist veterans.

Skerritt is survived by his wife, his five children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.