James Tolkan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Tolkan
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Tolkan autographing a Back to the Future poster in 2019
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| Born |
James Stewart Tolkan
June 20, 1931 |
| Education | University of Iowa Coe College Eastern Arizona College Actors Studio |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1960–2015 • 2021 • 2024 |
| Spouse(s) |
Parmelee Welles
(m. 1971) |
James Stewart Tolkan (born June 20, 1931) is an American actor. He is famous for playing Mr. Strickland, the strict principal, in the Back to the Future movies. He also played Mr. Strickland's ancestor, Marshal James Strickland, in Back to the Future Part III.
Besides the Back to the Future films, James Tolkan has been in many other popular movies. These include Top Gun (1986), Masters of the Universe (1987), and Dick Tracy (1990).
Contents
Early Life and Education
James Tolkan was born in Calumet, Michigan, on June 20, 1931. His father, Ralph M. Tolkan, was a cattle dealer.
He went to several colleges, including the University of Iowa and Coe College. He also studied acting at the Actors Studio. Tolkan served in the US Navy for a short time. He had to leave the service early due to a heart condition.
Acting Career Highlights
James Tolkan is best known for his role as Principal Gerald Strickland in the Back to the Future movies. Mr. Strickland was the very strict principal of Hill Valley High School. He often called students like Marty McFly and Biff Tannen "slackers."
Tolkan played this role again in Back to the Future Part II. In this movie, he even fought off criminals in a future version of 1985, still calling them "slackers." In Back to the Future Part III, he played Mr. Strickland's grandfather, Chief Marshal James Strickland. He also voiced these characters in the animated TV series.
Other Notable Film Roles
Tolkan has appeared in many other well-known films.
- In Top Gun (1986), he played Commander Tom "Stinger" Jardian. He was the tough commanding officer of the F-14 fighter jet squadron.
- He was an FBI agent named George Wigan in the movie WarGames.
- In Masters of the Universe, he played Detective Lubic.
- He also appeared in the movie Dick Tracy as a character named "Numbers."
- Tolkan had a funny dual role in the comedy Love and Death, where he played both Napoleon and someone who looked just like him.
Television Appearances
James Tolkan has also been a guest star on many TV shows. Some of these include Remington Steele, Miami Vice, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He was also part of the cast for the TV series A Nero Wolfe Mystery. In this show, he played more than a dozen different characters and even directed two episodes.
Images for kids
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Tolkan autographing a Back to the Future poster in 2019
See also
In Spanish: James Tolkan para niños
