Steel Magnolias  (1989), Reverend MacLean in  A River Runs Through It  (1992) and National Security Advisor David Drumlin in  Contact  (1997).

8  20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

8  Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

His most recent appearance on the big screen was in the 2025 film  Broke. 

Skerritt made numerous TV appearances throughout the '60s and '70s on shows like  Combat!,   The Virginian,   Death Valley Days,   12 O'Clock High,   Gunsmoke,   The F.B.I.  and  Cannon. 

He notably played Evan Drake on  Cheers  for several episodes in the '80s, but he earned critical acclaim for playing Sheriff Jimmy Brock for the entire four-season run of  Picket Fences  between 1992 and 1996. The role won him the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1993.

In his acceptance speech at the 45th ceremony, Skerritt thanked series creator David E. Kelley and praised co-star Kathy Baker (who also won an Emmy that night).

8 AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac

8 Getty Images

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