Emmy-winning actor Tom Skerritt, who starred in Hollywood megahits including the sci-fi classic "Alien," the war comedy "M*A*S*H," and the action drama "Top Gun," has died at the age of 93. Skerritt, a Detroit native whose Hollywood career spanned from the 1960s to the 2020s, died on Wednesday of natural causes, his family said in a statement. "While the world knew Tom through his remarkable acting career, we knew him for his humour, curiosity, wisdom, generosity, and the love he brought into our lives," they said. "He cared deeply about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world, and helping others find and share their own voices." Known for his rugged good looks and ability to shine in a variety of genres, Skerritt delivered memorable performances in leading and supporting roles in film and television. Skerritt's breakthrough role was a roguish US Army surgeon in director Robert Altman's 1970 Korean War black comedy "M*A*S*H," a film whose ensemble cast also included Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould and Sally Kellerman. Skerritt played Southerner Duke Forrest as the doctors at the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital stitched up wounded troops. The film, whose popularity coincided with American unease over the Vietnam War, was nominated for five Academy Awards. In director Ridley Scott's...
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