James Tolkan, Back to the Future’s ‘Mr. Strickland’, Has died at age 94
Saranac Lake, New York — Actor James Tolkan, son of Ralph Tolkan and Margery Sibola, passed away peacefully in Saranac Lake, NY on March 26, 2026. He was 94.
Born in Calumet, Michigan in 1931, Tolkan, at age 14, cycled through Chicago after his parents divorced and wound up in Tuscon, Arizona where he graduated Amphitheater High School in 1949. 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 equaled 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 theater, from off off Broadway to the great White Way. Notably, he was a member of the original ensemble cast of the “Glengarry Glen Ross.”
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 he was cast in “War Games.” His most memorable film roles were as Mr. Strickland in “Back to the Future” (1985) for director Robert Zemeckis, and as Tom Cruises's CO “Stinger” in “Top Gun” (1986). He had a dual role in Woody Allen's “Love and Death,” and appeared in numerous films and TV shows through 2011.
Tolkan is survived by his wife of 54 years, Parmelee, and three nieces in Des Moines, IA. Jim adored animals and would appreciate donations in his memory to your local animal shelter, animal rescue organization or Humane Society chapter.
