Actor James Tolkan, recognized for his roles as a cigar-chomping naval commander in “Top Gun” and a gruff highschool administrator in “Back to the Future,” has died. He was 94.
Tolkan died Thursday in Lake Placid, New York, the place he lived, his reserving agent, John Alcantar, mentioned Saturday. A quick obituary revealed on the “Back to the Future” web site mentioned Tolkan died “peacefully,” however no explanation for loss of life was given.
In “Back to the Future,” Tolkan portrayed the bow tie-wearing vice principal Gerald Strickland, who eyeballed college students for bother in the halls of the fictitious Hill Valley High School — in explicit Marty McFly, performed by Michael J. Fox.
“You got a real attitude problem, McFly,” Tolkan’s character says in the 1985 movie. “You’re a slacker. You remind me of your father when he went here. He was a slacker, too.”
Tolkan additionally appeared in “Top Gun” as commanding officer Tom “Stinger” Jardian. Near the finish of the movie, when Jardian asks Tom Cruise’s character, Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, about his selection for future responsibility, Mitchell replies that he needs to be a Top Gun teacher.
“God help us,” Tolkan’s character replies, laughing.
Born in Calumet, Michigan, Tolkan graduated from highschool in Arizona and served in the Navy throughout the Korean War. He finally made his method to New York, the place he spent 1 / 4 century performing in theater roles. He was a member of the unique ensemble solid of “Glengarry Glen Ross.”
Tolkan is survived by his spouse of 54 years, Parmelee Welles, who mentioned in an announcement that her husband additionally was an avid artwork collector and adored animals.