Back to the Future star James Tolkan dies aged 94 as tributes flood in
Back to the Future star, James Tolkan, has died at the age of 94.The actor, who was also in the original Top Gun film, "passed away peacefully" at his home in Saranac Lake, New York, on Thursday, March 26 a statement on the official Back to the Future website reads.It shares James is survived by his wife of 54 years, Parmelee, and his three nieces in Des Moines, Iowa.The sad announcement states: "Actor James Tolkan, son of Ralph Tolkan and Margery Sibola, passed away peacefully in Saranac Lake, NY on March 26, 2026. He was 94.READ MORE: The 'scary' Birmingham tunnel residents won't walk through 'even in the daytime'"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 Amphitheatre 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 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 Broadway to the great White Way."Notably, he was a member of the original ensemble cast of the 'Glengarry Glen Ross.'"It went on: "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.READ MORE: Birmingham's biggest halal food court opens its doors to floods of Brummies"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."Tributes have since flooded in for the star, with many taking to social media to share their sadness.One person said: "RIP James Tolkan Back to the Future, Top Gun, Masters of the Universe (really great in that) & come on, he even played Napoléon in Love and Death way back in 1975. Whatever part he had, the man always made an impression."Another added: "God Speed James Tolkan, 94 years of a life well lived. Seven decades of film work is incredible. Love And Death, Amityville Horror, Turk 182, Top Gun, Back to the Future, on an on. One of the best to ever play a hard a** ever."
