Tom Skerritt, Star of 'Steel Magnolias', Dies at 93 of Natural Causes
- Tom Skerritt, the Emmy Award-winning actor beloved for decades of iconic roles, passed away on Wednesday, 21 October 2026
- His family released a heartfelt statement describing the qualities that made him so much more than just a celebrated Hollywood star
- Tribute messages from fans and industry peers flooded social media following the news of his death
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Source: Getty Images
Hollywood has lost one of its most enduring talents. Tom Skerritt, whose career spanned more than six decades and gifted audiences with some of cinema's most memorable characters, died on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
He was 93. His family confirmed that he passed away from natural causes.
Skerritt rose to international prominence through a string of landmark films, including the 1979 sci-fi horror classic Alien, the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun, and later Steel Magnolias, Turning Point, and Contact. On television, he earned an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Sheriff Jimmy Brock in the long-running drama series Picket Fences, cementing his reputation as a performer equally at home on the big and small screens.
A family's farewell to Tom Skerritt
In a deeply personal statement, his family offered a portrait of the man behind the roles. "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. He cared deeply about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world and helping others find and share their own voices," the statement read.
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Rotten Tomatoes shared the news on Instagram on Thursday, 22 October 2026, drawing an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow creatives who had admired Skerritt's work across generations.
Source: Getty Images
Fans and co-stars pay their respects
Tributes came swiftly and in large numbers. Below is a selection of the reactions:
@kchenoweth wrote: "❤️i loved his work so much!"
@mrsg2004 said: "Steel Magnolias ❤️ An incredible career! Rest easy now, Viper 🙏"
@joshlucas shared: "Great Actor, Great Human. Great Father. Great Man. RIP Tom."
@aramiinhoss wrote: "May he rest in peace 😢🕊💔"
@pink_pasha said: "No way 😢 He was a great actor. RIP Tom 🕊❤️"
Francis Duru's grieving family confirms his death
In a previous report from Briefly News, Nollywood was left in a state of mourning following the death of one of its most recognisable veterans, Francis Duru, leaving fans across the continent in mourning.
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Source: Briefly News
