US EditionJames Tolkan, ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Back to the Future’ Actor, Dies at 94
James Tolkan, known for his role as Tom "Stinger" Jardian in Top Gun and appearances in Back to the Future sequels, died at age 94 after a long career in film and TV.
- Character actor James Tolkan, best known for playing Gerald Strickland in 'Back to the Future' and the no-nonsense commander Stinger in 'Top Gun', died Thursday in Saranac Lake, New York.
- Tolkan's 55-year career was defined by his portrayal of intense, intimidating authority figures, ranging from his Broadway role as salesman Dave Moss in 'Glengarry Glen Ross' to numerous film and television appearances.
- The actor gained wide recognition in the 1985 hit 'Back to the Future' as Hill Valley High School vice principal Mr. Strickland, who memorably berated characters like Marty McFly as "slackers."
- In the 1986 blockbuster 'Top Gun', he played Commander Tom Jardian, nicknamed Stinger, who famously scolded Maverick with the line, "Your ego is writing checks your body can't cash."
- Tolkan is survived by his wife, Parmelee, whom he met on the set of the 1971 play 'Pinkville'. His final screen credit was the 2015 Kurt Russell western 'Bone Tomahawk'.
274 Articles
274 Articles
The actor, known for his roles in "Back to the Future" or "Top Gun", has received many moving tributes.
'Back To The Future' and 'Top Gun' star James Tolkan dies at 94
“Slacker! You’re too much like your old man. No McFly ever amounted to anything in the history of Hill Valley!” These are the infamous words of James Tolkan from the iconic Back to the Future movies, who has died at the ripe old age of 94. Back to the Future Tolkan did several movie roles while still based in New York City, including “Prince of the City” (1981) for director Sidney Lumet, but moved his career to California and Canada in 1983 when…
Sydney Morning Herald
James Tolkan, tough-talking actor in Back to the Future and Top Gun, dies at 94
From a nose-to-nose close-up scene with Michael J Fox’s Marty McFly, the late star’s disdain for slackers etched itself into the minds of a generation.
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