Council Biography

Tom Skerritt, winner of the Emmy for Best Actor for his starring role in CBS's Emmy winning drama series, PICKET FENCES is one of the most versatile and acclaimed of American actors on both the big and small screen. From his early role in Robert Altman's classic comedy, M*A*S*H, to a roster of films which includes, THE TURNING POINT, ALIEN, A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, TOP GUN, CONTACT to the Disney film, THE OTHER SISTER, co-starring Diane Keaton and Juliette Lewis, his work continues to be a study in the strength of subtlety in an array of television and film productions.

Most recently he starred in two high-profile projects. In a new version of HIGH NOON for TBS, Skerritt reprised the Gary Cooper role of the Sheriff, forced to choose between his duty and his new bride. He also filmed the CBS mini-series JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS: A LIFE, playing Joseph Kennedy. He also will be seen in Miramax's film release TEXAS RANGERS. Two other recent projects were Lifetime's AMERICAN DAUGHTER and CBS's mini-series, AFTERSHOCK, Skerritt is also in pre-production to direct his first feature film, expected to film this year.

Skerritt's TV project, the Emmy nominated CBS/Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, WHAT THE DEAF MAN HEARD, co-starring Matthew Modine, Judith Ivy and James Earl Jones, broke all viewing records for Hallmark projects since 1991. With DIVIDED BY HATE, for the USA network, he managed to juggle directing and acting simultaneously when he starred as the leader of a controversial religious cult. Skerritt had also directed several episodes of PICKET FENCES, while starring as sheriff Jimmy Brock, including one that featured his son Matt. His first directing was an earlier ABC-TV after school special, A QUESTION OF SEX, which dealt with the issue of disseminating birth control information on high school campuses.

Born in Detroit, Skerritt studied at Wayne State University and at UCLA. Originally interested in directing, he was performing in a Los Angeles theatre production, which led to his being cast in his first film, WAR HUNG (1961) where he met another young hopeful named Robert Redford.

In addition to the highly successful M*A*S*H, Skerritt can count several classics among the more than 35 films he has made. He played the understanding husband of Shirley MacLaine's nemesis in STEEL MAGNOLIAS and the fanatic fly-fishing-minister father of Brad Pitt and Craig Sheffer in A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT, directed by Robert Redford. Co-starring with Jodie Foster in CONTACT, Skerritt played a less noble character as her ruthlessly ambitious superior.

His roles run the gamut from comedy, science fiction, Western and thrillers to psychological dramas, romance and murder mystery. In the television medium, Skerritt has starred in literally dozens of television productions. They include guest appearances in several major series, including a highly acclaimed six-episode stint on CHEERS as Kirstie Alley's boss. He has also starred in thrillers including THE CHINA LAKE MURDERS, THE HEIST and RED KING, WHITE KNIGHT; touching dramas such as the NBC mini-series HUNG FOR THE UNICORN KILLER, based on the true story about the Ira Einhorn case, MILES TO GO with Jill Clayburgh, POKER ALICE, with Elizabeth Taylor, CHILD IN THE NIGHT with Jobeth Williams and GETTING UP AND GOING HOME with Blythe Danner, Julianne Phillips and Roma Downey; and historical dramas such as TWO FOR TEXAS with Kris Kristofferson for TNT.

Over the years, Skerritt declined numerous TV series offers, but finally agreed to star in PICKET FENCES. The opportunity of working with creator David E. Kelley and co-star Kathy Baker proved to be too much of a temptation for him, even though it meant him living and working away from his home in Seattle.

Seeing Skerritt in TOP GUN convinced the Marciano brothers, owners of Guess?Jeans, to fashion several spectacularly successful advertising campaigns around Skerritt's Hemingwayesque good looks, highlighting him as their first celebrity model. Since then Skerritt has made a few rare forays into the tv commercial area.

In an equally rare theatre appearance, Skerritt co-starred with Lee Remick in the Los Angeles theatrical production of LOVE LETTERS, marking Remick's last appearance before her death from cancer. He has also re-teamed with PICKET FENCES co-star Kathy Baker for several charity performances of LOVE LETTERS, including one to benefit the Laguna Art Museum.

Another important involvement for Skerritt is his restaurant and microbrewery, The Spur, in Crested Butte, Colorado, which is managed by his daughter and son-in-law. A portion of the proceeds of the operation's profits as well as the annual Red Lady Open golf tournament, help to benefit Crested Butte's Adaptive Sports Center, aiding spinal trauma rehabilitation and research. Although heavy work demands do not leave much time to spare, Skerritt tries to indulge in his favorite creative hobby, painting, in Seattle where he resides.