'Alien' actor Tom Skerritt dies at age 93

American actor Tom Skerritt, known for the films Alien, Field Military Hospital and Top Gun, died on October 21 at the age of 93 from natural causes, Reuters reported citing his family.

"While the world knew Tom through his distinguished acting career, we knew him through his humor, curiosity, wisdom, generosity and the love he brought to our lives," the family said in a statement.

Skerritt became famous for his role as military surgeon Duke Forrest in Robert Altman's comedy Field Military Hospital. In Ridley Scott's horror film Alien, he played the captain of the Dallas spaceship.

Skerritt began his acting career in 1962 and has appeared in more than 170 films and TV series. His other roles include instructor Mike Metcalfe in Top Gun and Drum Eaton in Steel Magnolias. The actor also starred in the films “Where the river flows”, “Contact”, “Hologram for the king” and “East of the mountains”.