Julia Roberts has shared a goodbye to Tom Skerritt, the actor who played her father in Steel Magnolias. Following his death at 93, she posted a photograph of them together and a message on Instagram.
“A shining light of a gentle man. RIP 💔,” Roberts wrote. Meanwhile, Skerritt’s family confirmed that he died of natural causes on Wednesday, October 21.
Who did Tom Skerritt play opposite Julia Roberts?
In the 1989 film, Skerritt played Drum Eatenton, father to Roberts’ Shelby and husband to Sally Field’s M’Lynn. Alongside them, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah and Olympia Dukakis played local women.
Although the story centers on its women, Drum brings humor through his arguments with neighbor Ouiser, played by MacLaine. Meanwhile, Shelby’s illness pushes the family toward the grief that gives the film its emotional weight.
For Roberts, the role also brought her first Oscar nomination for supporting actress. Today, her tribute connects that career chapter with the loss of the man who shared those scenes.
How are Tom Skerritt’s other costars remembering him?
Beyond the big screen, Skerritt starred as Sheriff Jimmy Brock in Picket Fences, which ran from 1992 to 1996. Through that role, he won an Emmy for lead actor in a drama series.
Following the news, his costar Lauren Holly remembered his influence on the cast. “He was our leader,” she wrote. “His example made those years such a joy and we all loved and respected him so much.”
Similarly, Kathy Baker, who played his wife, described their bond in a statement to PEOPLE. “He taught me so much during our four years on Picket Fences,” she said.
Elsewhere in his career, Skerritt appeared in Alien, Top Gun, MASH, A River Runs Through It and Contact. Yet his family’s statement focused on the person behind those credits, remembering his humor, curiosity, wisdom, generosity and love.
