Matt Skerritt: Tom Skerritt’s Son Changing Lives Through Documentary Films

Matt Skerritt is not your average filmmaker. He is a creative force in the socially conscious documentary space, with a knack for conveying from-the-heart storytelling that connects with individuals on a deep emotional level. As a director and owner of Skerritt Creative, Matt has made a name for himself in documentary and unscripted storytelling, working often with top brands and platforms like Amazon, Microsoft, and Sony Music. His films have tackled timely subjects like mental health, anxiety, and family dynamics, and his work has been both timely and transformative.

Matt may not be as recognizable as actors in front of the camera, but his influence behind the camera is growing exponentially with each passing year. With a background in visual media and a Hollywood family tradition, Matt has infused passion, purpose, and professionalism into every project. This article is a closer look at who Matt Skerritt is, his life growing up, his relationship with his famous father, his work in film, and where his career might be headed in the future.

Quick Bio

Who is Matt Skerritt?

Matt Skerritt is an American film director, producer, and filmmaker acclaimed for his powerful documentary filmmaking. He is the lead founder of Skerritt Creative LLC, a Seattle production company that majors in documentary-style, unscripted, and multi-camera productions. His productions are consistently formatted to a wide range of platforms—from theatrical releases to broadcast television and streaming services. Matt’s documentaries are acclaimed for being emotionally charged and for shedding light on social issues.

One of his most popular projects is the documentary “Angst,” which addresses the mental health struggles of adolescents and young adults. By producing content that educates and inspires, Matt has established himself within the industry. He merges cinematic storytelling with documentary tales, and his hands-on approach has earned him a reputation as both a creative and compassionate director.

Early Life

Matt Skerritt was born on December 13, 1967, in California into a family of artists. As the son of the actor Tom Skerritt and the artist Charlotte Shanks, Matt was exposed early to the world of performance, storytelling, and visual design. This had a lasting effect on his perspective and shaped his professional goals. His upbringing was full of structure as well as creative freedom, which exposed him to various forms of art at an early stage.

His own life also mirrors this creative lineage. While details of his formal education remain scarce to the public eye, it is clear that Matt pursued studies in visual and media arts. Having grown up among the sets and studios of his parents’ work, he had instilled in him the powerful sense of storytelling’s influence—a drive that would eventually compel him to documentary filmmaking and media production.

Career Beginnings

Matt began on various production crews, doing whatever was necessary to learn filmmaking from the ground up. With an interest in unscripted content, he was drawn to real stories being told in real time. In the process, he mastered multi-camera operations, editing, and visual storytelling. The technical proficiency became a signature of his work and set him apart in the competitive media production business.

One of Matt’s earliest high-profile projects to gain widespread attention was “Angst,” a documentary covering anxiety in youth. Debuting as part of a larger campaign to raise awareness for mental health, the documentary was screened in schools and communities across the country. The film showcased Matt’s unique talent for coupling emotional storytelling with educational impact. It spawned further collaboration and solidified Matt’s status as a director who uses film to create measurable change.

Who is Matt Skerritt’s Father?

Matt Skerritt’s father is the legendary actor Tom Skerritt, whose Hollywood career has spanned more than half a century. Tom is renowned for his roles in blockbuster films like Top Gun, Alien, Steel Magnolias, and the television series Picket Fences, for which he won an Emmy Award. His impact in film and television has earned him a respected figure in show business. Tom’s influence on Matt is evident, not just in the sense of name recognition, but in Matt’s love of cinematic storytelling.

Despite his father’s fame, Matt established himself in the industry. Rather than pursuing the acting path of his father, he chose to focus on the creative process behind the camera. Doing so allowed him to step out of the shadow of Tom Skerritt and forge his own reputation. However, growing up with a parent active in acting gave Matt exposure to information and guidance in the field that undoubtedly worked to his advantage as a producer and director.

Matt Skerritt’s Physical Appearance

Matt Skerritt has a grounded and professional appearance that mirrors his personality and work ethic. With his salt-and-pepper hair, casual sense of style, and calm demeanor, Matt comes across as likable and introspective. Not a Hollywood celebrity in the traditional sense, he carries a confident presence that translates through interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.

While his height and weight are not publicly recorded, his social media and industry event photographs portray him as a humble and grounded person. Rather than conveying glamour or celebrity, Matt appears to be someone who is interested in the art of storytelling. His image is that of a director who is committed to substance over style, making him relatable to emerging creatives and future collaborators.

Net Worth

There are no official records of Matt Skerritt’s net worth as of 2025, but it’s safe to believe that his ongoing work with international brands and successful movie campaigns ensure a stable financial status. His production studio has secured deals with industry giants like Sony Music, Amazon, and Microsoft, and his content has been shown in schools, theaters, and on digital platforms around the world.

In addition to earnings from directing and producing, Matt likely earns money from consulting, speaking, and licensing his material for use in educational settings. Although he maintains a relatively low financial profile, his professional trajectory indicates long-term financial success in the entertainment and media sector.

Social Media

Matt Skerritt is on Instagram as @mskerritt, where he occasionally gives behind-the-scenes insight into his professional and personal life. While posts are not frequent, the updates he shares give insight into his creative process, projects, and causes that he supports. The site includes photos shot at movie locations, inside industry events, and from family outings, giving the viewer an eye on the man behind the camera.

His social media following is modest by influencer and celebrity standards, but that appears to be by design. Matt’s use of his platforms is not for fame but for connection—with collaborators, audiences, and fellow creatives who share his interest in impactful storytelling. He also advocates for mental health awareness, which is in line with the subject matter of his documentary projects.

Future Prospects and Vision

Looking ahead, Matt Skerritt gives no indication of easing up. With a developing portfolio and a widening network, he persists in tackling projects addressing profound, human-oriented topics. Mental illness, interpersonal relationships, social justice, and education are probably going to be fundamental topics of his future work. Matt has also spoken about an interest in incorporating new technology such as VR and AR into storytelling, so his upcoming work is likely to be even more boundary-pushing in terms of creativity.

Beyond filmmaking, Matt will be playing a greater role in media advocacy and education. With projects involving schools, non-profits, and corporate clients, he is shaping the ways documentary content can be utilized to enact change. As audiences call for more authentic and meaningful content, Matt Skerritt is well placed to lead the next generation of social impact filmmakers.