‘Back to the Future’ Star James Tolkan Dies at 94, Known for ‘Top Gun’ Role

James Tolkan, renowned for his portrayal of the stern Mr. Strickland in the Back to the Future series, the commanding officer “Stinger” Jardian in Top Gun, and a member of the original Broadway ensemble of Glengarry Glen Ross, passed away on Thursday in Saranac Lake, NY, after a distinguished 55-year career in film, television, and theater. He was 94 years old.

His death was confirmed through the official Back to the Future website, which reported he died peacefully, though no cause of death was provided.

Born June 20, 1931, in Calumet, MI, Tolkan briefly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War before he pursued acting in New York City. His career began in local theater, leading to appearances in nine Broadway productions, including a notable role as salesman Dave Moss in the original staging of Glengarry Glen Ross from 1984-85.

Tolkan’s early screen roles included guest appearances on 1960s TV shows like Naked City and N.Y.P.D., as well as roles in films such as The Three Sisters and Stiletto. By the 1970s, he was appearing alongside Al Pacino in Sidney Lumet’s 1973 film Serpico and played dual roles as Napoleon and a lookalike in Woody Allen’s 1975 satire Love and Death. He also appeared as a coroner in the 1979 horror film The Amityville Horror.

RELATED: Diane Keaton Dies: Oscar-Winning ‘Annie Hall’ & ‘The Godfather’ Actress Was 79

In the 1980s, Tolkan took on roles in films including Wolfen, Prince of the City, Author! Author! (again with Pacino), and WarGames before landing his iconic roles in the mid-1980s.

He starred in the immensely popular 1985 film Back to the Future as Mr. Strickland, the vice principal of Hill Valley High School who famously despised “slackers,” as he often labeled George McFly (Crispin Glover) and later Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox). He reprised his role in the 1989 sequel Back to the Future II and portrayed Strickland’s ancestor in Back to the Future III in 1990.

Tolkan gained further recognition for his role as Tom “Stinger” Jardian, the Commander of the USS Enterprise Carrier Air Group in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun, directed by Tony Scott. He memorably reprimanded Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Goose (Anthony Edwards) and later briefed the newly graduated Top Gun pilots on their first mission. In a notable scene, he reluctantly offers Maverick his choice of duty and reacts with mock dismay when Maverick opts to become a Top Gun instructor, uttering, “God help us.”

During this period, Tolkan secured his first regular role on television, appearing as the possibly mob-connected fiancé of Mary Tyler Moore’s neighbor in the CBS sitcom Mary, which aired for one season from 1985-86. He later starred as Captain Mike Ragland in the CBS police drama The Hat Squad in 1992-93, portraying a career police officer who raises three foster children who become cops under his command in their adult lives. This show also lasted only one season.

Tolkan continued to secure significant TV roles into the late 1990s and early 2000s, including as a recurring character in the 2001-02 A&E period drama Nero Wolfe, where he also directed two episodes, and as a regular in the syndicated adventure series Cobra in 1993-94. In Cobra, he played Dallas Cassel, the boss of ex-Navy SEAL “Scandal” Jackson (Michael Dudikoff), who leads a secretive organization that helps victims failed by the justice system. The series aired for 22 episodes.

Additionally, Tolkan guest-starred in popular TV series such as Hill Street Blues, American Playhouse, Miami Vice, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Tales from the Crypt, The Wonder Years, Early Edition, and The Equalizer. His film roles included appearances in Prince of the City, Masters of the Universe, and Iceman, as well as Family Business, Opportunity Knocks, and playing Numbers in Warren Beatty’s 1990 film Dick Tracy.

Tolkan’s final appearances were in the 2013 TV movie Phil Spector, portraying the judge in the trial of the disgraced producer, and as a pianist in the 2015 Kurt Russell Western Bone Tomahawk.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Parmele, and three nieces. His family has requested that donations in his memory be made to a local animal shelter, rescue organization, or Humane Society chapter.