James Tolkan, the veteran actor best known for his roles as the stern Hill Valley High School principal in ‘Back to the Future’ and Tom Cruise’s strict commanding officer in ‘Top Gun’, has died at the age of 94. He passed away on March 26 in Saranac Lake, New York, a family spokesperson confirmed.
Tolkan’s career spanned decades across film, television and stage. He appeared in Woody Allen’s ‘Love and Death’ (1975), Warren Beatty’s ‘Dick Tracy’ (1990) and three Sidney Lumet films: ‘Serpico’ (1973), ‘Prince of the City’ (1981) and ‘Family Business’ (1989). On Broadway, he played Dave Moss in the original 1984-85 production of David Mamet’s ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’.
Renowned for his intense, authoritative performances, Tolkan made a lasting impression as Principal Strickland in the Back to the Future trilogy and as Tom “Stinger” Jardian in Top Gun (1986). Fans often requested he call them “slackers” in homage to his famous catchphrase. His filmography also includes ‘The Amityville Horror’ (1979), ‘WarGames’ (1983), ‘Masters of the Universe’ (1987) and ‘True Blood’ (1989).
Born on 20 June 1931 in Calumet, Michigan, Tolkan served in the US Navy before studying acting at Coe College, the University of Iowa and later at The Actors Studio in New York under Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg. He made his onscreen debut in 1960 on ABC’s Naked City and appeared in numerous television series, including ‘Miami Vice’, ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ and ‘The Wonder Years’.
Tolkan is survived by his wife, Parmelee, whom he met on the set of the 1971 off-Broadway play Pinkville. They married the same year in Lake Placid.
James Tolkan, Iconic ‘Back to the Future’ and ‘Top Gun’ Actor, Dies
