Tom Skerritt remembered by co-stars Julia Roberts, Lauren Holly and more after his death at 93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tributes have begun pouring in for Tom Skerritt, who died on Wednesday, October 21, at the age of 93.
His death was announced by his family, who stated that the Emmy-winning star died of natural causes.
Julia Roberts pays tribute to Tom Skerritt
The statement shared with PEOPLE also noted that “he was a loving husband to Julie; father to Andy, Erin, Matt, Colin, and Emiko; grandfather to Sara, Maddison, Sunny, Louisa, and Georgia; and great-grandfather to Marigold and Ravi. We are heartbroken by his loss.”
Following the announcement, many of Skerritt’s former co-stars shared tributes of their own.
Julia Roberts, who played Skerritt’s on-screen daughter in the 1989 film ‘Steel Magnolias’, took to Instagram to share a throwback photo of the two. In the caption, she simply wrote, “A shining light of a gentle man. RIP."
Kathy Baker mourns her ‘Picket Fences’ co-star
Kathy Baker, who co-starred with Skerritt in ‘Picket Fences’, called him “my darling friend.”
She shared, “My heart is broken to hear of the passing of dear, lovely, loving Tom, my TV husband, my partner, my darling friend. He taught me so much during our four years on Picket Fences. I couldn’t have asked for a more gracious and kind actor to work with, and it was very special to share with him the incredible run of the show.”
Lauren Holly remembers Tom Skerritt as ‘our leader’
Lauren Holly, who also worked with Skerritt on ‘Picket Fences’, remembered him in a social media post.
Sharing a throwback photo of the two, she penned, “I adored Tom Skerritt. I was lucky enough to work with him on more than one project, but the first was Picket Fences. He was our leader.”
The 62-year-old actress also spoke about the late actor, known for his work in ‘Top Gun’, and the profound impact he had on her life. “Rest easy my friend. I will think of you often,” she added.
Justin Shenkarow also paid tribute to Skerritt by sharing footage from ‘Picket Fences’.
He wrote, “Rest easy Tom. You’ll be incredibly missed, thank you for gracing us with your presence and it was such a privilege working with you on Picket Fences.”
Tom Skerritt’s family shares heartfelt tribute
Throughout Skerritt’s long career, he delivered several memorable performances. However, his family remembered him for qualities that extended beyond his work, saying they “knew him for his humor, curiosity, wisdom, generosity, and the love he brought into our lives.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the love and support being shown by his friends, colleagues, and fans. We ask for privacy as our family grieves. Information regarding a memorial will be shared at a later date,” the family’s statement added.
