KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 23 -- Tom Skerritt, the Emmy-winning US actor who spent a lifetime playing steady, wry figures of authority in films such as Top Gun and Alien, has died at 93.

Skerritt died last Wednesday of natural causes, news wire France 24 reported today, citing a statement from his family.

"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," the statement said.

The family added that he cared deeply about storytelling, service, veterans, the natural world and helping others find their own voices.

Skerritt grew up in a middle-class Detroit household, the son of a small businessman and a housewife, with two brothers.

Aft...