James Tolkan, the cherished character actor renowned for his role as the strict principal in the “Back to the Future” series, passed away on Friday at the age of 94.
Tolkan left an indelible mark on audiences with his portrayal of Mr. Strickland, the stern head of Hill Valley High School, in Robert Zemeckis’ 1985 classic, “Back to the Future.” Known for his memorable admonishment of “slackers,” Tolkan’s character became a cultural icon.
He reprised this iconic role in the 1989 sequel, “Back to the Future Part II,” where he famously confronted a group of criminals, once again branding them as “slackers” during a tense drive-by shooting scene.
The following year, Tolkan took on the role of Strickland’s grandfather in “Back to the Future Part III.” His connection to the franchise continued with his voice work for the animated spin-off series.
Beyond the “Back to the Future” films, Tolkan is fondly remembered for his portrayal of Stinger, the commanding officer to Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards in the 1986 blockbuster, “Top Gun.”
Bob Gale, co-writer of “Back to the Future,” confirmed Tolkan’s peaceful passing at his home in Lake Placid, New York. The news was reported by TMZ.
Beloved character actor James Tolkan, best known as the principal in the Back to the Future franchise, died this Friday at the age of 94; pictured last October in New Jersey
Tolkan featured in Robert Zemeckis’ original 1985 Back to the Future movie as Hill Valley High School chief Mr. Strickland, pictured in the film with Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly
Among Tolkan’s best-remembered character was Stinger, the commanding officer of Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards’ characters in the 1986 classic Top Gun
Born to a cattle trader in the Wisconsin village Calumet in 1931, Tolkan endured a ‘very difficult’ childhood with his father in and out of jail, and himself started ‘running with a gang and quit school at 15,’ he told the military-themed We Are the Mighty.
He spent a year in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War before being discharged over a heart problem, then went to college on the GI Bill to study arts and music, whereupon he caught the acting bug and later pursued a drama degree.
Although he ‘was scared to death and didn’t know what I was getting into,’ he caught a $75 Greyhound fare to New York City and embarked on a career as an actor.
He acted in a smattering of New Hollywood classics, playing a cop in Sidney Lumet’s 1983 picture Serpico starring Al Pacino as a NYPD whistleblower.
Tolkan made two other pictures with Lumet – the 1981 movie Prince of the City led by Treat Williams and the 1989 crime comedy Family Business with Sean Connery, Dustin Hoffman and Matthew Broderick.
Decades later, he described Lumet as his ‘favorite’ filmmaker to work with, hailing him as ‘so disciplined, so brilliant…you would want to emulate him…to work with him was a privilege, he made it a pleasure.’
Tolkan also played Napoleon Bonaparte in the 1975 picture Love and Death, written and directed by Woody Allen, who led the cast opposite Diane Keaton.
His memorable films include the 1983 picture WarGames starring Michael Broderick as a computer hacker who inadvertently sets off a chain of events that might trigger World War III between the United States and the Soviet Union.
However his best-known character roles were two hardboiled men in charge in the 1980s – the principal in Back to the Future and a commanding officer in Top Gun.
‘Tom Cruise was most impressive. I knew he was going to be great right from the beginning,’ Tolkan reflected of his experience on Top Gun.
Meanwhile Michael J. Fox, the leading man of Back to the Future, was ‘the easiest actor I have ever worked with,’ Tolkan raved. ‘He is so talented and loose.’
Another of his memorable pictures was the 1990 comic book adaptation, directed by Warren Beatty, who starred opposite his paramour at the time Madonna.
Tolkan featured as a mafia accountant called Numbers who works for the mobster played by Al Pacino – reuniting the two actors 17 years after Serpico.
His first love, however, remained the stage, where his work included the original 1984 Broadway production of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross.
Tolkan played the role of Dave Moss, latter immortalized by Ed Harris in the 1992 movie of the iconic workplace machismo satire.
He continued working onscreen as well, guest-starring on such classic series as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Wonder Years and Tales from the Crypt.
Through the end of his life, Tolkan enjoyed the affection he received from Back to the Future fans, who would ask him to call them ‘slackers.’
As recently as last year, he attended a Back to the Future fan expo where he and Michael J. Fox enjoyed a warm and goofy reunion on camera.
