'LAW & amp; ORDER' Actor decides to appear as arrogant judge on 'SVU'

He decided the role was too challenging to pass up.
By DAVE MASON
SCRIPPS HOWARD
Tom Skerritt decided it was time to poke his head out from behind the computer.
The Emmy-winning "Picket Fences" star has been writing four screenplays, a novelization of two of those screenplays, and a play.
"I have to confess I don't watch much television, and I'm only peripherally aware of what's on television," Skerritt said. "There hasn't been much worth doing out there as an actor. But when I read (a 'Law & amp; Order: SVU') script, I thought (it) was really challenging."
So challenging that Skerritt was persuaded to leave his computer desk for the New York City set of "Law & amp; Order: SVU," where he guest-starred as a judge. The episode is scheduled to air May 11 on NBC.
"I play an arrogant caught-up-with-himself elitist who gets his (comeuppance)," Skerritt said last week during a teleconference with reporters.
Skerritt also ventured into a starring role as Adm. Theodore McKee, leader of a post-9/11 task force, in "Homeland Security," an NBC movie that aired Easter Sunday.
The easygoing, personable star, whose more than 80 movies include "MASH" (1970), "Top Gun" (1986) and "Steel Magnolias" (1989), said he gets recognized both from major films and obscure ones he has forgotten.
"Do you have a list in front of you?" he said with a chuckle.
One of his favorite roles is that of the Rev. Maclean, the father in the Robert Redford-directed "A River Runs Through It" (1992).
"It touched me in a lot of ways," Skerritt said. "I was very surprised by how much I drew from my father (to play the role)."
It was directing that brought Skerritt to film classes at UCLA, but he found himself drawn into acting.
Asked about those who have inspired or influenced him, Skerritt credited "a long list of people. It's everyone from the high-school love affair that didn't work out to the English teacher who read my paper in college and thought it was wonderful and the teacher in high school who sent me to the principal's office because my paper was really good and thought I had no hand in writing it.
"In any case, it's all of that, including my brothers, who are the two nicest men I've known, and my lady, Julie, who's the top of the draw." Skerritt and his wife have three daughters and one son.