Actor Tom Skerritt, known for Alien and Top Gun, dies aged 93
In short
American actor Tom Skerritt has died at the age of 93, Russian outlets reported on 22 and 23 October. RBC, citing Reuters and his family, said he died on 21 October of natural causes. He was known for Alien, M*A*S*H (Военно-полевой госпиталь) and Top Gun.
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American actor Tom Skerritt has died at the age of 93, Russian outlets reported late on 22 October and early on 23 October. TASS carried a short report attributed to AP. [ 1 , 3 ]
RBC wrote that he died on 21 October of natural causes, citing the Reuters agency, which in turn cited his family. RBC named his best-known films as Alien, M*A*S*H (Военно-полевой госпиталь) and Top Gun. [ 2 ]
RIA Novosti said a magazine reported the death. The agency quoted a statement from his family: "We deeply mourn his passing. The whole world knew Tom for his outstanding acting career, and we knew him as a man with a sense of humour, curiosity, wisdom and generosity." [ 3 ]
RIA Novosti, citing the publication, said he was remembered for his masculine looks and thick moustache. Over a career of sixty years he played strong, self-assured men, often in positions of responsibility. [ 3 ]
According to RIA Novosti, he first turned down the role of the captain of the spaceship Nostromo in Alien (1979), fearing that the film's whole budget would go on special effects. He changed his decision after learning who would direct the project. In Top Gun (1986) he played the head of the school where the main character learns to fly. RIA Novosti also listed M*A*S*H, Thieves Like Us and The Dead Zone among his films. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The documents give no consequences beyond the death itself. Russian outlets covered it as the loss of an actor known for several well-known films and for a screen career of about sixty years.
Key facts
- Tom Skerritt died at the age of 93. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- RBC, citing Reuters and his family, said he died on 21 October of natural causes. [ 2 ]
- TASS headlined its report with an attribution to AP. [ 1 ]
- He was known for the films Alien, M*A*S*H (Военно-полевой госпиталь) and Top Gun. [ 2 , 3 ]
- In Top Gun (1986) he played the head of the school where the main character trains as a pilot. [ 3 ]
- His family said the world knew him for his acting career, while they knew him as a person with humour, curiosity, wisdom and generosity. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The date and cause of death. Only RBC, citing Reuters and the family, gives 21 October and natural causes; the other documents do not state them.
- Where he died. None of the documents gives a place of death.
- Which magazine RIA Novosti cited as its source. The name is missing from the article text provided; RIA's report says only that a magazine reported the death.