James Tolkan, an American actor known for roles in Back to the Future, Top Gun and Dick Tracy, died on March 26, 2026, at age 94.
He was best known for playing the strict high school vice-principal Mr. Strickland in Back to the Future (1985) and Back to the Future Part II (1989), and the character’s ancestor, Marshal James Strickland, in Back to the Future Part III (1990).
His other film credits included Serpico (1973), Love and Death (1975), Prince of the City (1981), Masters of the Universe (1987), Viper (1988) and Problem Child 2 (1991).
James Stewart Tolkan (June 20, 1931 – March 26, 2026) was an American character actor. He was best known for portraying the strict high school vice‑principal Mr. Strickland in Back to the Future (1985) and Back to the Future Part II (1989), and the character’s ancestor, Marshal James Strickland, in Back to the Future Part III (1990). His other notable film credits included Serpico (1973), Love and Death (1975), Prince of the City (1981), Top Gun (1986), Masters of the Universe (1987), Viper (1988), Dick Tracy (1990), and Problem Child 2 (1991).