James Tolkan, Back to the Future Star, Dead at 94
Back to the Future fans are mourning a treasured cast member.
James Tolkan—known for his role as Gerard Strickland in the films—died March 26, his rep confirmed to USA Today. He was 94.
“The news is sadly true about James,” Tolkan’s rep John Alcantar told the outlet. “James was a beloved professional who lived a good, full life.”
Confirmation of Tolkan’s death comes after news of his passing was posted on the franchise’s official website. No cause of death was given.
Though his career spanned more than five decades beginning with an impressive 25-year theater run, Tolkan’s most recognized work appeared in the Back to the Future trilogy, where he played the no-nonsense vice principal of Hill Valley High School in both the 1985 film and the 1989 sequel opposite Michael J. Fox, Christpher Lloyd, and Lea Thompson. For the third film, he returned as the grandfather of his character.
After hearing of his death, Fox paid tribute to his costar’s life.
“RIP the great James Tolkan. You were definitely no slacker,” he wrote on Instagram Stories March 27 in reference to one of the late actor’s most iconic lines in the films. “Grateful to know you, act with you, and direct you in Tales from the Crypt.”
Fox added, “I’ll miss you pal.”
Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images
In addition to the cult classic franchise, Tolkan—who is survived by his wife Parmelee—was also widely known for his role as Commander Tom Jardian in Tony Scott’s 1986 action film Top Gun alongside stars Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan and more.
“It was very special because everybody felt right from the beginning that we were going to be a success and we were,” Tolkan said in a 2012 interview of his time working on the film, later joking that “Tony Scott the director had me smoking a big cigar for so long that I did turn green in front of the camera one day. But I recovered.”
Prior to his death, the WarGames actor reflected on the everlasting legacy of the films he’s been a part of.
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
“It’s absolutely amazing. We’re talking about movies we did more than 30 years ago,” Tolkan said in a 2019 interview at New Jersey Horror Con & Film Festival, “and people are still interested and coming back and they show their interest.”
But the Love and Death actor noted how even though he’s been able to act in some of Hollywood’s most iconic films, he’s most proud of his roots in theater, specifically as an original cast member of Glengarry Glen Ross.
“I enjoy doing movies but it’s not really my forte but I certainly enjoy it,” he explained. “I’ve been very lucky.”
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