Bio: Lean, ruggedly handsome leading man and supporting actor whose "outdoor" looks have improved with age, Tom Skerritt attended Wayne State University and UCLA. He was first noticed in a UCLA production of "The Rainmaker" before making his movie debut in War Hunt (1962). However, he spent most of the next decade in television, regularly appearing in Combat! (1962), The Virginian (1962), Gunsmoke (1955) and 12 O'Clock High (1964). Skerritt's next big break was appearing alongside Donald Sutherland and Elliott Gould in Robert Altman's biting satire M*A*S*H (1970). Several other film roles quickly followed, before he landed the plum role of Capt. Dallas of the ill-fated commercial towing vehicle Nostromo in the creepy sci-fi epic Alien (1979).Skerritt turned up again in another thriller playing a cop hunting a serial killer in the eerie The Dead Zone (1983), as a Navy Officer Flight instructor in Top Gun (1986) , in the six-chick flick Steel Magnolias (1989), and then as the poster boy for a "Guess" Jeans ad campaign utilizing his mature, weather-beaten features. Skerritt didn't neglect his TV background and reappeared on the small screen in Cheers (1982), The China Lake Murders (1990) and picked up an Emmy in 1994 for his performance as Sheriff Brock in the superb series Picket Fences (1992).Skerritt has remained continually busy for the past decade, contributing natural, entertaining and reliable performances in TV series, made-for-TV movies and major theatrical releases. He recreated the role of Will Kane in the TV production of High Noon (2000), and appeared alongside Bruce Willis in the mercenary war drama Tears of the Sun (2003).
Tivia: His acting mentor was the late Robert Altman.Acting mentor and friends of Holly Marie Combs and Lauren Holly.Seldom seen on stage, Tom appeared with the late Lee Remick in a performance of "Love Letters" in 1990, her last appearance before her death from cancer. He also performed in the same play with Kathy Baker for several benefits in the Los Angeles area. In 2004 he returned once more as the Stage Manager in a Seattle production of "Our Town".He has appeared in five films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: M*A*S*H (1970), Harold and Maude (1971), Alien (1979), Top Gun (1986) and Smoke Signals (1998).Attended Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan.Along with Ken Pogue, he is one of only two actors to appear in both The Dead Zone (1983) and The Dead Zone (2002).Plays the motorcycle cop in Harold and Maude (1971) but is billed in the credits as "M. Borman".Co-founded the Red Badge Project which helps veterans suffering from PTSD.Served in the United States Air Force.Children: Andy (b. 1962), Erin (b. 1964) and Matt Skerritt (b. 1969) with Charlotte Skerritt and Colin Skerritt (b. 1978) with Sue Skerritt.Doing commercials for the University of Kansas Medical Center. (May 2006)Has been living in the Seattle area and agreed to play the role of "The Stage Manager" in Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" at the Intiman Theater. (October 2004)Although Dallas is the third character in 'Alien' to be killed, Skerritt has outlived all of his male costars. Kane and Brett die before Dallas.Best known by the public for his starring role as Sheriff Jimmy Brock on Picket Fences (1992).Uncle of Jessica Skerritt.Despite playing husband and wife on "Picket Fences", Skerritt was actually 17 years older than his onscreen wife, Kathy Baker.