James Tolkan, 'Top Gun' and 'Back to the Future' star, dies at 94 [View all]

Source: USA Today

James Tolkan, the actor best known as the strict vice principal Gerald Strickland in the "Back to the Future" franchise and as no-nonsense "Top Gun" commander Stinger, has died. He was 94.

"The news is sadly true about James," John Alcantar, Tolkan's representative for public appearances confirms to USA TODAY. "James was a beloved professional who lived a good full life."

No cause of death was given.

Tolkan's most famous role started in 1985's "Back to the Future" as Strickland, the Hill Valley High School vice principal who refers to Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), his father (Crispin Glover), and school bully Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson) as "slackers."

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2026/03/27/james-tolkan-dies-back-to-the-future-top-gun/89356085007/