James Tolkan, known for his roles as the school principal in Back to the Future and the commanding officer in Top Gun, has died age 94.
Tolkan passed away peacefully in Saranac Lake, New York, on Thursday (local time), a statement posted to the Back to the Future website said.
No cause of death was listed.
“Actor James Tolkan, son of Ralph Tolkan and Margery Sibola, passed away peacefully in Saranac Lake, NY on March 26, 2026. He was 94,” the statement reads.
“After a short Navy career during the Korean War, and stints at three colleges, he got on a bus for New York City with $75.00 in his pocket and found a cold water flat where the rent equalled his VA check.
“He went to work on the docks and enrolled with both Stella Adler and Lee Strasburg to learn the art of acting.
“He spent 25 years in New York theatre, from off off Broadway to the great White Way. Notably, he was a member of the original ensemble cast of the “Glengarry Glen Ross.”
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The actor led a 55-year-long career across film, TV and stage.
He was best known for his role as Officer “Stinger” Jardian in Top Gun, and the Hill Valley High School Vice Principal with a hatred for “slackers,” Mr. Strickland in Back to the Future.
He reprised his role as Mr Strickland in the 1989 sequel Back to the Future II, and also played Strickland’s wild west ancestor in Back to the Future III.
Tolkan has also starred in films in the early 1980’s, including Wolfen, Prince of the City, Author! Author! and WarGames.
His first on-screen appearance came in the 1960s, guest-starring in TV series like The Three Sisters and Stiletto.
He appeared alongside Al Pacino in the 1973 cop drama Serpico, and later played two roles as Napoleon and a lookalike in the 1975 satire Love and Death.
After his role in Back to the Future, he was offered his role in Top Gun, playing Tom “Stinger” Jardian, Commander of the USS Enterprise Carrier Air Group.
The character yells at Tom Cruise’s Maverick and Anthony Edwards’ Goose early in the blockbuster.
His character later briefs the graduated pilots on their first mission.
Around the same time he landed the role, he also became a series regular on the CBS sitcom Mary, which lasted for one season between 1985 and 1986.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Parmelee, and his three nieces.
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