Julia Roberts honors “Steel Magnolias” dad Tom Skerritt upon his death at 93

Raechal ShewfeltFri, October 23, 2026 at 4:22 AM UTC

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Tom Skerritt and Julia Roberts in ‘Steel Magnolias’Credit: TriStar Pictures/EverettKey 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 costarring Sally Field.

The Top Gun actor’s family confirmed the news to Entertainment Weekly.

Julia Roberts remembered her Steel Magnolias costar Tom Skerritt in the hours after his death on Thursday.

Skerritt, 93, played Roberts’ dad, Drum, in one of her early but memorable roles, that of Shelby Eatenton Latcherie, in the 1989 movie.

It was a long time ago, but Roberts still had good memories: “A shining light of a gentle man. RIP” she captioned a photo of herself and Skerritt in a scene from the film.

The film about a close-knit group of women living in small-town Louisiana also costarred Sally Field (as Shelby’s mom, M’Lynn), and Dolly Parton (Truvy), Olympia Dukakis (Clairee), Shirley MacLaine (Ouiser), and Daryl Hannah (Annelle).

The sweet scene Roberts shared depicts the characters in one of the tearjerker’s happier moments: a holiday party in which Skerritt’s Drum has recently learned that his daughter is expecting a baby.

After he gets everyone’s attention, she says, “Daddy,” as a reminder to keep the news quiet.

“Don’t worry, honey,” Skerritt’s character says. “I’m not going to tell them you’re pregnant...”

After cheers from onlookers, he adds, “I’m just gonna tell them that I’m gonna be a granddaddy!”

The news causes M’Lynn to worry. While Shelby wants to be a mother, doctors have advised her not to have a child because she’s has diabetes. But in the moment, both Skerritt and Roberts’ characters are filled with joy.

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While Steel Magnolias revolves mostly around the women, Skerritt’s character is memorable, not only for the party scene but for earlier moments in which he shoots into his yard in order to scare away the birds ahead of Shelby’s wedding to Dylan McDermott’s character, Jackson.

MacLaine’s Ouiser alleges that the noise is stressing out her dog.

Since news of Skerritt’s death broke Wednesday, other former costars have paid tribute to the actor who was also known for his work in movies including Top Gun, MASH, A River Runs Through It, and Contact, as well as ’90s TV series Picket Fences.

Tom Skerritt on May 11, 2023Credit: Mat Hayward/Getty

Lauren Holly, who costarred with Skerritt on the CBS series, which aired from 1992 to 1996, wrote that she “adored Tom Skerritt.”

“I was lucky enough to work with him on more than one project, but the first was Picket Fences,” the actress recalled. “He was our leader. His example made those years such a joy and we all loved and respected him so much. He cared deeply for his family — both the one at home and the one at work. He cared deeply for his planet, and all of its inhabitants. He had a huge impact on my life, and so many memories I have of him include sharing fits of crippling 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 portrayed his spouse on the David E. Kelley series, called him her “dear friend.”

“He taught me so much during our four years on Picket Fences,” she said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly’s sister publication PEOPLE. “I couldn’t have asked for a more gracious and kind actor to work with, and it was very special to share with him the incredible run of the show.”

on Entertainment Weekly

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