James Tolkan, best known for his iconic roles as Principal Strickland in the “Back to the Future” trilogy and as strict commanding officer Tom “Stinger” Jardian in “Top Gun,” has passed away at the age of 94. The actor died on Thursday, March 26, in Saranac Lake, New York, though the news of his death was not immediately publicized

A member of the production team from Robert Zemeckis’ films told PEOPLE about the last time they saw Tolkan: “I saw him at a convention last October. We sat side by side meeting fans. He was fantastic with people, always willing to take a photo up close, just like he did with Michael J. Fox in the film, calling them ‘lazy’ in a playful way.”

“Every time I had the chance to see James, it was truly enjoyable. As tough and intimidating as Principal Strickland was, James Tolkan was the exact opposite — one of the kindest people you could meet,” the source added.

Early Life and Career

Tolkan was born in Michigan, later moving to Chicago after his parents’ divorce, and eventually settling in Tucson, Arizona, where he graduated from Amphitheater High School in 1949.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War before relocating to New York City to study acting under Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg. Tolkan was a member of the original Broadway cast of “Glengarry Glen Ross”, which recently returned to Broadway in 2025 starring Kieran Culkin, Bob Odenkirk, and Bill Burr.

Director Sidney Lumet cast him in several films, including Serpico (1973) with Al Pacino, Prince of the City (1981), and Family Business (1989), where he played a judge.

Iconic Roles

One of Tolkan’s most beloved roles was Principal Strickland in the 1985 hit Back to the Future, directed by Robert Zemeckis. He portrayed a strict yet comedic high school principal who often called his students, especially Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), “lazy.” He reprised the role in Back to the Future Part II and played an ancestor of Strickland in Back to the Future Part III.

Tolkan also appeared in the 1980s blockbuster Top Gun, playing Tom Cruise’s commanding officer. He continued acting in film and television projects until 2011, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances across stage and screen.