Julia Roberts shared an Instagram tribute to Tom Skerritt after her Steel Magnolias co-star died on Oct. 21 at 93.
“A shining light of a gentle man. RIP,” Roberts wrote, adding a broken-heart emoji.
They appeared together in the 1989 film, where he played the husband of Sally Field’s character, in a cast that also included Dolly Parton.
His family announced his death on Oct. 22. “While the world knew Tom through his remarkable acting career, we knew him for his humour, curiosity, wisdom, generosity and the love he brought into our lives,” they said.
Skerritt’s roles spanned decades: Captain Arthur Dallas in Alien, flight instructor Mike “Viper” Metcalf opposite Tom Cruise in Top Gun, and Sheriff Jimmy Brock in Picket Fences. The television role earned him 2 Emmy nominations and a 1993 win for outstanding lead actor in a drama series.
His work also included MASH, A River Runs Through It and Contact. Away from the screen, he helped establish the Red Badge Project, which supports military veterans through storytelling and creative writing.
“He cared deeply about imagination, creativity, storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world and helping others find and share their own voices,” his family said.
He’s survived by his wife, Julie Tokashiki, his 5 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.