Actor James Tolkan, best known for his roles in the “Back to the Future” franchise and the “Top Gun” films, has died at the age of 94.
This is reported by Variety.
Tolkan died in Saranac Lake, New York, on March 26, 2026. His death was announced by family representatives, as well as screenwriter and producer Bob Gale.
The actor is survived by his wife, Parmelee, whom he met on the set of “Pinkville,” an off-Broadway play, in 1971.
Tolkan's career spanned more than five decades, with his first television work being the 1960 series Naked City and his last being the 2015 film Bone Tomahawk.
About the actor
Tolkan was born on June 20, 1931, in Calumet, Michigan, and after joining the U.S. Navy, he attended Coe College and the University of Iowa. He eventually moved to New York City, where he studied at the Actors Studio with Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg.
Tolkan is best known for his work in the Back to the Future trilogy, where he played the school principal Mr. Strickland in the original 1985 film and the 1989 sequel. In 1990, he returned as his character's grandfather in the third installment.
Tolkan is most famous for his appearance in the film “Top Gun.” In Tony Scott's 1986 action film, he played Commander Tom Jardian, also known as Stinger, alongside stars Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, and others.
The actor also starred in such films as “War Games” (1983), “Stiletto” (1969), “Maybe They Were Giants” (1971), “The Amityville Horror” (1979), “Unconventional Rhythm” (1986), “Armed and Dangerous” (1986) and others.
Tolkan has played roles in television series such as “Counterweight”, “The Secret of Nero Wolfe”, “The Adventurer”, “Morning Show”, “The Man from Nowhere”, “Cobra” and “The Wonder Years”, among others.