Key Points
Julia Roberts was one of Tom Skerritt’s costars who paid tribute to him after his death.
Skerritt and Roberts played father and daughter in the drama with Sally Field.
THE Top Gun the actor’s family confirmed the news to Weekly Entertainment.
Julia Roberts remembered her Steel Magnolias teammate Tom Skerritt in the hours following his death Thursday.
Skerritt, 93, played Roberts’ father, Drum, in one of his first memorable roles, that of Shelby Eatenton Latcherie, in the 1989 film.
It was a long time ago, but Roberts still had fond memories: “The bright light of a gentle man. RIP,” she captioned a photo of her and Skerritt in a scene from the film.
The film about a close-knit group of women living in a small Louisiana town also starred Sally Field (as Shelby’s mother M’Lynn), and Dolly Parton (Truvy), Olympia Dukakis (Clairee), Shirley MacLaine (Ouiser) and Daryl Hannah (Annelle).
The sweet scene shared by Roberts depicts the characters in one of the tearjerker’s happiest moments: a Christmas party at which Skerritt’s Drum recently learned that her daughter is expecting a baby.
After he gets everyone’s attention, she says “Daddy” to remind him to keep the news quiet.
“Don’t worry, honey,” Skerritt’s character says. “I’m not going to tell them you’re pregnant…”
After the spectators cheered, he added: “I’m just going to tell them I’m going to be a grandfather!”
The news worries M’Lynn. Although Shelby wants to become a mother, doctors have advised her not to have children because she suffers from diabetes. But in the moment, Skerritt’s and Roberts’ characters are filled with joy.
While Steel Magnolias revolves primarily around women, Skerritt’s character is memorable, not only for the party scene but for the earlier moments in which he shoots in his backyard in order to scare away birds before Shelby’s wedding to Dylan McDermott’s character, Jackson.
Ouiser de MacLaine alleges that the noise stresses his dog.
Since news of Skerritt’s death broke on Wednesday, other former co-stars have paid tribute to the actor who was also known for his work in films including Top Gun, CRUSH, A river runs through itAnd Contactas well as TV series from the 90s Picket fences.
Tom Skerritt on May 11, 2023
Credit: Mat Hayward/Getty
Lauren Holly, who co-starred with Skerritt on the CBS series that aired from 1992 to 1996, wrote that she “loved Tom Skerritt.”
“I had the chance to work with him on more than one project, but the first was Picket fences“, remembers the actress. “He was our leader. His example made those years so joyful and we all loved and respected him so much. He cared deeply for his family, both those at home and those at work. He cared deeply about his planet and all of its inhabitants. He had a huge impact on my life, and so many of the memories I have of him include bursts of paralyzing laughter. Rest easy my friend. I will think of you often.”
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Skerritt won an Emmy in 1993 for playing the show’s Sheriff Jimmy Brock.
Actress Kathy Baker, who played his wife on the David E. Kelley series, called him her “dear friend.”
“He taught me so much over our four years Picket fences“, she said in a statement to Weekly EntertainmentPEOPLE’s sister publication. “I couldn’t have asked for a more gracious and kind actor to work with, and it was very special to share the incredible unfolding of the show with him.”
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