Net Worth Ranker
What Is Tom Skerritt’s Net Worth?
Tom Skerritt, a seasoned American actor with a career spanning seven decades, has accumulated a considerable net worth. As of 2025, Tom Skerritt’s net worth is estimated to be $12 million. This financial standing is largely attributed to his extensive work in both film and television. While specific breakdowns of his earnings from individual projects or endorsements are not publicly available, his consistent presence in successful productions has undoubtedly contributed to his wealth.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on August 25, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan, Tom Skerritt’s early life provided a foundation for his future acting career. He attended Mackenzie High School and later pursued higher education at Wayne State University and UCLA. Prior to his college years, Skerritt served a four-year tour of duty in the US Air Force as a classifications specialist. His entry into the entertainment industry began with his film debut in the 1962 war film “War Hunt,” directed by Denis Sanders. He followed this with a role in Sanders’ drama “One Man’s Way” the following year. Skerritt’s early roles laid the groundwork for a long and successful career. Further specific details regarding his initial salary or contract terms for these early roles are not publicly documented.
Film and Television Career Highlights
Skerritt’s film career gained momentum in the 1970s with his role as Captain Augustus Bedford ‘Duke’ Forrest in Robert Altman’s acclaimed war comedy “M*A*S*H” (1970). The following year, he appeared in Blake Edwards’s “Wild Rovers” and Hal Ashby’s “Harold and Maude.” Throughout the 1970s, he took on roles in various films, including “Fuzz,” Altman’s “Thieves Like Us,” and the horror film “The Devil’s Rain.” A significant turning point in his career came with his role in Ridley Scott’s science-fiction horror film “Alien” (1979). Specific box office figures for these films, detailing Skerritt’s direct earnings, are not accessible. In the 1980s, Skerritt continued to appear in notable films such as “Top Gun” (1986), “Wisdom,” “Poltergeist III,” and “Steel Magnolias” (1989). The success of “Top Gun,” in particular, likely contributed significantly to his income during that period, although exact salary figures remain undisclosed.
The 1990s saw Skerritt in films such as “The Rookie” (1990), “Poison Ivy” (1992), “Knight Moves” (1992), and “A River Runs Through It” (1992). Later in his career, he appeared in “Contact” (1997), “Smoke Signals” (1998), and “Texas Rangers” (2001). He has continued to work steadily in film, with roles in “Tears of the Sun,” “Swing,” “Beer for My Horses,” “Whiteout,” “Ted” (2012), “Redwood Highway,” and “Field of Lost Shoes.”
In television, Skerritt debuted in 1962 with guest roles on “Combat!” and “The Virginian.” He had recurring roles in several shows throughout the 1960s, including “Death Valley Days,” “12 O’Clock High,” and “Gunsmoke.” In 1983, he starred as Dr. Thomas Ryan on the short-lived ABC medical drama series “Ryan’s Four.” From 1987 to 1988, Skerritt played Evan Drake in the sixth season of the sitcom “Cheers.” A major television role for Skerritt was as Sheriff Jimmy Brock on the CBS family drama series “Picket Fences,” which ran from 1992 to 1996. His performance earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1993. While his salary for “Picket Fences” has not been publicly disclosed, it was likely a significant source of income during the show’s run.
After “Picket Fences,” Skerritt continued to appear in television films and miniseries, including “The Grid,” “Category 7: The End of the World,” and “Brothers & Sisters.” His consistent work in television has contributed to his financial stability. Again, specific contract details and episode-by-episode earnings are not publicly available.
Real Estate Investments
Since the late 1980s, Tom Skerritt has maintained a residence in Washington. In 1980, Tom and Sue Oran bought a property on Lopez Island. By 1989 they completed construction on a home that they turned into a bed and breakfast called Edenwild, which still operates today under different owners. Currently, Tom splits his time between a home along the shores of Lake Washington, a house in Seattle, and another property on Lopez Island. Tom purchased the Seattle home in 1998 for $760,000. This Seattle home is estimated to be worth around $4 million as of 2025. Further details regarding the precise location of his Lopez Island property or the current valuation of his Lake Washington home are not publicly available. The increase in value of his real estate holdings contributes to Tom Skerritt’s overall net worth.
Personal Life and Relationships
Tom Skerritt has been married three times. He married his first wife, Charlotte Shanks, in 1957, and they had three children: Andy, Erin, and Matt. They divorced in 1972. Skerritt married his second wife, Susan “Sue” Oran, in 1977, and they had a son named Colin. They divorced in 1992. In 1998, he married Julie Tokashiki, and they have a daughter named Emi. Details about any settlements or financial arrangements related to his divorces are not publicly accessible.
Awards and Recognition
Tom Skerritt’s career has been marked by critical acclaim and industry recognition. He won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in “Picket Fences” in 1993. This award, along with other nominations and accolades, has enhanced his reputation and likely contributed to increased opportunities and earnings in the entertainment industry. Specific details regarding the financial impact of these awards on his subsequent contracts are not publicly disclosed.
