Tom Skerritt, the steady screen presence who flew with Tom Cruise in "Top Gun" and commanded the doomed crew of "Alien," has died. He was 93.

Family says he died peacefully

His family shared that the actor passed away Wednesday of natural causes. Relatives said they were "heartbroken by his loss" and described a man full of humor, curiosity, wisdom and generosity.

They added that he cared deeply about imagination, creativity and the craft of telling stories. Service to others mattered to him too, along with the natural world and the veterans he spent years supporting.

Six decades on screen

Skerritt worked in film and television for about 60 years. His big break came in 1970 with the war comedy "M*A*S*H."

In 1979 he took the captain's chair as Dallas in the sci-fi thriller "Alien." Seven years later he became Viper, the veteran instructor teaching Cruise's hotshot pilot in "Top Gun."

An Emmy for small-town drama

Television gave him one of his proudest honors. As Sheriff Jimmy Brock on the series "Picket Fences," he won an Emmy in 1993.

He also played a stern minister in "A River Runs Through It" and turned up in "Steel Magnolias" and "Contact." He later made Seattle his home, where he died.

Detroit roots and military service

Skerritt was born in Detroit. Before acting he served in the US Air Force. He later became a vocal advocate for veterans.

He is remembered by fans as one of Hollywood's most dependable character actors, the kind of performer who made every scene feel grounded.