James Tolkan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Tolkan
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Tolkan in 2025
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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 famous for playing tough, no-nonsense characters. He is most well-known as the strict vice-principal, Mr. Strickland, in the Back to the Future movies. In the films, he famously calls Marty McFly a "slacker."
Tolkan also played Marshal James Strickland, the ancestor of his main character, in Back to the Future Part III. Some of his other memorable movie roles include parts in Top Gun (1986), Masters of the Universe (1987), and Dick Tracy (1990).
Contents
Early Life and Education
James Tolkan was born in Calumet, Michigan. His father, Ralph M. Tolkan, was a cattle dealer. In 1949, James graduated from Amphitheater High School in Tucson, Arizona, where he was a football player.
After high school, he attended several colleges, including the University of Iowa and the Actors Studio, to study acting. Tolkan also served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Sandoval. He was honorably discharged after a year for medical reasons related to his heart.
Acting Career
Tolkan's career is filled with many memorable roles, often as an authority figure.
The Back to the Future Series
Tolkan's most famous role is Principal Strickland in Back to the Future (1985). As the strict head of discipline at Hill Valley High School, his character was known for telling students like Marty McFly and Biff Tannen that they were "slackers."
He returned for Back to the Future Part II (1989), where his character bravely fights off a gang. In Back to the Future Part III (1990), he played the role of Chief Marshal James Strickland, the grandfather of Principal Strickland, in the Old West. He also voiced the character in the Back to the Future animated series in 1991.
Other Famous Roles
Besides Back to the Future, Tolkan has appeared in many other popular films.
- In Top Gun (1986), he played Commander Tom "Stinger" Jardian, the tough commanding officer of an F-14 squadron.
- In WarGames (1983), he played an FBI agent.
- In Masters of the Universe (1987), he was Detective Lubic.
- In the Woody Allen comedy Love and Death, he had a fun dual role, playing both Napoleon Bonaparte and a man who looked just like him.
- In Dick Tracy (1990), he played "Numbers," the accountant for the gangster Big Boy Caprice.
- He also had a small but notable role in the 1973 movie Serpico.
Television Appearances
Tolkan has been a guest star on many TV shows. These include Remington Steele, Miami Vice, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
From 2001 to 2002, he was a regular cast member on the A&E series A Nero Wolfe Mystery. He showed his acting range by playing more than a dozen different characters on the show. He also got to work behind the camera, directing two episodes.
Selected Filmography
Here are some of James Tolkan's most well-known movies and TV shows.
Film
- Serpico (1973) - Lieutenant Steiger
- Love and Death (1975) - Napoleon Bonaparte
- Prince of the City (1981) - District Attorney Polito
- WarGames (1983) - FBI Agent George Wigan
- Back to the Future (1985) - Principal Gerald Strickland
- Top Gun (1986) - Commander Tom "Stinger" Jardian
- Masters of the Universe (1987) - Detective Hugh Lubic
- Back to the Future Part II (1989) - Principal Gerald Strickland
- Back to the Future Part III (1990) - U.S. Marshal James Strickland
- Dick Tracy (1990) - "Numbers"
- Problem Child 2 (1991) - Mr. Thorn
- Bone Tomahawk (2015) - The Pianist
Television
- Hill Street Blues (1985) - Coach Beasley
- Remington Steele (1985–1987) - Norman Keyes
- Miami Vice (1987) - Mason Mather
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) - Dr. Oates / Dr. Bloat
- Tales from the Crypt (1991) - Sergeant McClaine
- The Wonder Years (1993) - Coach Silva
- A Nero Wolfe Mystery (2001–2002) - Played 14 different roles
- Leverage (2011) - Dean Chesny
Video Games
- Top Gun: Fire at Will (1996) - Commander Hondo (voice)
- Top Gun: Hornet's Nest (1998) - Commander Hondo (voice)
See also
In Spanish: James Tolkan para niños
