Top Gun actor James Tolkan dies at 94

Actor James Tolkan, best known for his role in the Back to the Future films, has died at the age of 94. He died on March 26, 2026, in Saranac Lake, New York, according to reports.

Tolkan’s death marks the end of a decades-long career across film, television and theatre. Widely recognised for playing the stern Principal Gerald Strickland in the first two films of the iconic sci-fi franchise, Back to the Future (1985 and 1989). In Back to the Future III (1990), he played Marshall James Strickland, the grandfather of his character from the first two films of the series.

Tolkan became a familiar face through a



series of authoritative and often intimidating characters.

While his portrayal of the strict school principal Strickland in the Back to the Future series remains one of his most enduring performances, the late actor is also widely known for his role of Commander Tom 'Stinger' Jardian alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun (1986).

Earlier in his career, he featured in films like Prince of the City (1981), directed by Sidney Lumet, and worked with Woody Allen in Love and Death (1975). His other memorable roles have come in films such as Serpico (1973), Masters of the Universe (1987), Dick Tracy (1990) and Problem Child 2 (1991).