James Tolkan

James Tolkan, the veteran actor who had small but memorable roles in "Top Gun" and "Back to the Future," died March 26, 2026, in Saranac Lake, New York at the age of 94.

Though Tolkan is best known for playing Tom Cruise's commanding officer in "Top Gun" and for being the mean Vice Principal Strickland in the "Back to the Future" series, he had a long and successful career in film and on television dating to 1960.

Born in Michigan, Tolkan played football at Eastern Arizona College before serving in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He later earned his degree at the University of Iowa, and he was a classmate of Warren Beatty in acting school.

Though he had a few small television roles starting in 1960, his big screen debut came in the 1966 film "The Three Sisters." Starting with 1973's "Serpico," he became a regular in Sidney Lumet's work, also appearing in "Prince of the City" and "Family Business." He also played the coroner in "The Amityville Horror," was an FBI agent in "WarGames," played the character Numbers in "Dick Tracy," and most recently was in the 2015 western horror film "Bone Tomahawk."

But it was his work as the ornery Mr. Strickland that he is best known for, playing the vice principal in "Back to the Future" and its sequel, and playing Strickland's ancestor in "Back to the Future Part III."

"I loved this man," actress Lea Thompson said on Threads. "What a kind beautiful wonderful actor and friend. He loved his work his family and his fans. We had so many good times with our #backtothefuture family."

He was also a regular on television, with parts in "Hill Street Blues," "Miami Vice," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "The Wonder Years," and many others. Some of his longest roles were playing Dallas Cassel in "Cobra," and 13 episodes of the Mary Tyler Moore-led sitcom "Mary."

He also directed several episodes of "Nero Wolfe," in addition to appearing in 21 of them.

Tolkan also did stage work. That was where he met his wife, Parmelee, who was doing props at the American Place Theater when he was there to perform in "Pinkville" in 1971. They married that same year.

He is survived by his wife. His family asks that donations in his memory be made to your local animal shelter, animal rescue organization, or Humane Society chapter.

By Eric San Juan

(Image: L. Cohen/WireImage)