Tom Skerritt

Tom Skerritt (also credited as Tom Skerrit and Thomas Roy Skerritt) is an American screen actor born on August 25, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan. With a career that began in the early 1960s, he became a familiar presence across both film and television, building a reputation for steady, character-driven performances.

Over the decades, Skerritt has amassed an extensive body of work, appearing in dozens of feature films and hundreds of TV episodes. He is widely recognized for standout roles in M*A*S*H (as Duke Forrest) and Top Gun (as Viper), and for later film appearances such as A River Runs Through It (Rev. Maclean) and Contact (David Drumlin). His range also extends to genre and drama titles including Poltergeist III, Desperation, Maid to Order, and Steel Magnolias.

On television, Skerritt reached a major career peak with the acclaimed drama series Picket Fences, earning industry recognition that included a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Known internationally (including as Τομ Σκέριτ), he remains a respected figure whose longevity reflects both craft and versatility.