'Back to the Future' star has sadly died

Character actor James Tolkan, best known for playing tough authority figures, including in the Back to the Future franchise, has died at the age of 94.

He passed away on Thursday in Saranac Lake, New York, a family spokesperson stated, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Tolkan's esteemed career on-screen and on stage

Tolkan built a long and varied career across film, television, and stage. He took on dual roles as Napoleon and his double in Woody Allen’s Love and Death (1975), and later appeared as the shady accountant “Numbers,” who works for Big Boy Caprice (Al Pacino), in Warren Beatty’s Dick Tracy (1990).

He also collaborated multiple times with Hollywood directing supremo, Sidney Lumet, appearing as a cop in Serpico (1973), a determined district attorney in Prince of the City (1981), and a judge in Family Business (1989).

On Broadway, he originated the role of salesman Dave Moss in the original 1984–85 run of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross, a part later played by Ed Harris in the 1992 film version.

Tolkan became especially recognizable for his portrayal of the stern Hill Valley High principal Mr. Strickland in Back to the Future (1985) and its sequel, before returning as Strickland’s grandfather in Back to the Future Part III (1990). His delivery of the word “slackers” became so iconic that fans often asked him to repeat it in person just for fun.

He brought that same intensity to Top Gun (1986), where he played Tom “Stinger” Jardian, memorably reprimanding Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell for his reckless flying.

His film credits also included The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973), The Amityville Horror (1979), Wolfen (1981), WarGames (1983), Masters of the Universe (1987), True Blood (1989), and Opportunity Knocks (1990).

Born June 20, 1931, in Calumet, Michigan, Tolkan moved around in his early years after his parents divorced, spending time in Chicago before settling in Tucson, Arizona, where he graduated from Amphitheater High School in 1949. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he attended Coe College and the University of Iowa.

Tolkan made his screen debut in 1960 on an episode of ABC’s Naked City, and in 1966 stepped into a major stage role, replacing Robert Duvall as villain Harry Roat in the original Broadway production of Wait Until Dark. His final appearance in film was in 2015’s Bone Tomahawk.

On television, he had recurring roles as insurance investigator Norman Keyes on Remington Steele and appeared in multiple roles across 21 episodes of A Nero Wolfe Mystery, where he also directed a few installments.

Tolkan is survived by his wife, Parmelee, a costume and scenery painter who worked at the American Place Theater. The two met during the 1971 off-Broadway production of Pinkville, where he was acting and she worked as a prop assistant.

In his memory, the family has suggested donations be made to local animal shelters, rescue organizations, or Humane Society chapters.

Featured Image. Credit: Universal