While I was going through what notable people had passed away in November I came upon Tm Skerritt a Actor I’ve grown up with all my life. He is someone that became part of our lives without us even realizinghow many times we’ve welcomed them into our living rooms.
We might remember seeing these Actresses and Actors from one favorite movie, a television series we watched every week, or a character who made us laugh. But then we start looking through their work and discover something surprising: we’ve been watching them for years!
That’s exactly what happened when I started looking back at the career of Tom Skerritt. And let me tell you, I could spend quite a while going through this man’s filmography! Which lead me to movies and tv shows I’ve watched all my life but also new shows I can’t wait to check out.
Did you know Tom Skerritt passed away on October 21, 2026, at the age of 93. Can you imagine living to be 93? Wouldn’t that be amazing. His career covered more than six decades, with memorable appearances in movies and television shows that many families still enjoy today.
The first thing that caught my attention was MAS*H. My dad would have absolutely loved Tom Skerritt because he appeared in the original 1970 movie as Captain Augustus “Duke” Forrest. My father in law as well and even my brother would have liked learning this.
Now, I have to admit that I don’t remember Duke Forrest from MAS*H. When I think about the television show, I remember Hot Lips Houlihan, the doctors she was always getting mixed up with, and Frank making me laugh out loud. Then there was the dude who dressed up as a women to get sent home.
But Tom played Duke in the movie, not the television series. That explains why I wasn’t connecting the character with the show I remember. I can just imagine my dad enjoying this discovery. He would have loved having another reason to revisit MAS*H! Looks like I need to watch it in memory of my dad. Movie night anyone?
And speaking of shows my dad would have enjoyed, Tom also appeared in Gunsmoke. My dad, my father-in-law, and my brother all loved Westerns. I know they would have enjoyed seeing him in that series. As for me I can take #Gunsmoke or leave it but I did like Festus and his Mule Ruth and do did David. What about you?
David and Charlie might recognize Tom from Alien. I won’t be joining them for that movie, thank you very much! Laughing out loud. I already know I wouldn’t sleep afterward. But Top Gun? Now we’re talking! Tom played Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf, the instructor who helped shape the pilots in the movie.
Take me to the danger zone with Tom Cruise! Yes, I absolutely remember Top Gun. David loves that movie, too, so I know this is one we could enjoy revisiting together. Move over, John Travolta I may have a new husband Tom Cruise! Now, I’ve got another movie night to plan.
Tom also appeared in The Dead Zone, but that’s another one I’ll probably leave for somebody else. I know my limits when it comes to movies that are going to keep me awake Another movie I remember Tom from is Steel Magnolias. He played Drum Eatenton, the protective father and husband of M’Lynn, played by Sally Field. I remember him, and I remember enjoying his character.
Then there’s A River Runs Through It, a movie I don’t believe I’ve ever watched. Tom played Reverend John Maclean, the father in the story. That’s another title I’m not sure I’m adding to my growing watch list but Charlie or David may want to watch it. Would you want to join them? He also appeared in Contact, although that isn’t necessarily the kind of movie I would pick first for family movie night. David or Charlie may have seen it, but I would have to ask them.
Now here’s one that made me stop and look twice. Tom Skerritt appeared in Cheers as Evan Drake, Rebecca Howe’s former boss. I love discovering things like this! I watched Cheers, but I didn’t immediately connect his name with that character. I’m going to have to find those episodes so I can watch him again.
And while we’re talking television, Tom also appeared in:
- Picket Fences
- The West Wing
- Will & Grace How did I not know that??
- The Good Wife Again, how did I miss that?
- The Closer Again…
- Brothers & Sisters
- The Grid
- The Virginian
- Gunsmoke
Picket Fences earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1993, playing Sheriff Jimmy Brock. And Will & Grace? Oh my goodness! Anyone who knows me knows how much I love that show. How did I not remember Tom appearing in it?
The Good Wife was another series I absolutely loved. And The Closer? Everybody knows I watched that one! I could keep going, and we would still have more shows to discover. The more I looked, the longer my list became. Tom appeared in The Rookie, the 1990 movie starring Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen. He also appeared in Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke, which was another surprise I wasn’t expecting but David will like knowing.
And here’s a little discovery for anyone who remembers the original Parent Trap with Hayley Mills. Tom appeared in The Parent Trap II, the 1986 television movie, playing Bill Grand. It wasn’t the original movie, but it’s still a fun connection to discover wasn’t it?
Other titles worth looking into include:
- The Turning Point
- Harold and Maude
- Ice Castles Looks like its time to re-watch this
- SpaceCamp
- Poison Ivy
- Smoke Signals
- The Other Sister
- Contact
- Journey Back to Christmas A new #Christmas movie to add to my #must-watch list
- Your Love Never Fails
- The Velveteen Rabbit
I haven’t watched all of these, and some are certainly more my cup of tea than others. But that’s part of the fun of looking back at an actor’s career. You never know what you might discover next. Plus, it gives me new movies to share with Charlie and David so they have something new to watch.
One of the reasons I enjoy researching actors, musicians, singers, movies, and television shows is that entertainment can become a wonderful starting point for homeschool lessons. You don’t have to sit down with a textbook every time you want to learn something.
A movie can lead to a conversation about history, geography, music, storytelling, filmmaking, or the time period in which it was made.Tom Skerritt’s career offers plenty of possibilities. Families could compare the original MAS*H movie with the television series, learn about the Korean War setting, explore the history of aviation through Top Gun, or talk about how a character actor can become recognizable across several generations of entertainment.
You can even make a family movie-night challenge out of it. Pick a movie or television episode, watch together, and see who recognizes the actor first. Sometimes the best lessons begin with somebody asking, “Wait a minute! Wasn’t he in that other movie?”
After spending time looking through Tom Skerritt’s career, I have several titles I’d like to revisit and a few I haven’t seen at all. I think we might start with Cheers so I can find his Evan Drake episodes. Then perhaps Top Gun with David and Charlie, because that’s one we already know we enjoy. And maybe I’ll finally watch The Parent Trap II. I had no idea Tom Skerritt was part of that movie!
That’s the wonderful thing about looking back at an actor’s work. We may think we know them from one movie, but there’s often so much more waiting to be discovered. Today, I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know Tom Skerritt a little better, revisit one of his performances, and share a memory with us.
Have you watched Tom Skerritt in MAS*H, Alien, Top Gun, Steel Magnolias, Cheers, or one of his many other productions? Which role do you remember first? And what should we watch first? I’d love to hear your suggestions! At Greatful Moments, we’re grateful for the memories, the laughter, and the stories that stay with us long after the credits roll.
GratefulMoments.com
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
