From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv



James Tolkan, 'Top Gun' and 'Back to the Future' Actor, Dies at 94
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James Tolkan, best known for roles in "Top Gun" and the "Back to
the Future" franchise, died on Thursday in Saranac Lake, N.Y. He
was 94. 

News of Tolkan's death was announced by Michael Klastorin, a unit
publicist on "Back to the Future Part II" and "Back to the Future
Part III," as well as by writer-producer Bob Gale and on the
franchise's website.

Tolkan's career spanned more than five decades. His first TV credit
was for the 1960 series "Naked City" and his last credit was for
the 2015 film "Bone Tomahawk." Though Tolkan is perhaps most
recognized for his work in the "Back to the Future" trilogy, in
which he played principal Mr. Strickland in the 1985 original and
1989 sequel. In 1990, he returned as the grandfather of his
character for the third film.  

Tolkan is also known for his appearance in "Top Gun." In Tony
Scott's 1986 action film, Tolkan played Commander Tom Jardian, also
known by the nickname Stinger, alongside stars Tom Cruise, Val
Kilmer, Meg Ryan and more. 

He also had roles in films including "WarGames," "Stiletto,"
"Abduction," "They Might Be Giants," "The Amityville Horror,"
"Off Beat," "Armed and Dangerous" and more. He had roles in TV
shows like "Leverage," "A Nero Wolfe Mystery," "The Pretender,"
"Early Edition," "Nowhere Man," "Cobra" and "The Wonder Years,"
among others. 

Tolkan was born on June 20, 1931 in Calumet, Michigan and attended
Coe College and the University of Iowa after joining the U.S. Navy.
He ultimately traveled to New York, where he studied at The Actors
Studio with Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg.

Tolkan is survived by his wife, Parmelee, whom he met on the set of
"Pinkville," an off-Broadway play, in 1971. 

An obituary on the Back to the Future website asked for donations to
your local animal shelter, animal rescue organization or Humane
Society chapter.



<https://variety.com/2026/film/news/james-tolkan-dead-top-gun-back-to-the-future-1236701891/>





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From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

On 3/27/26 5:28 PM, Your Name wrote:

   James Tolkan, 'Top Gun' and 'Back to the Future' Actor, Dies at 94
   ------------------------------------------------------------------
   James Tolkan, best known for roles in "Top Gun" and the "Back to
   the Future" franchise, died on Thursday in Saranac Lake, N.Y. He
   was 94.

I always really liked Tolkan. I remember him fondly from the short-lived
TV series "The Hat Squad" which this obit fails to even mention. I also
do remember him from Michael Dudikoff's "Cobra" syndicated TV series.

   News of Tolkan's death was announced by Michael Klastorin, a unit
   publicist on "Back to the Future Part II" and "Back to the Future
   Part III," as well as by writer-producer Bob Gale and on the
   franchise's website.

   Tolkan's career spanned more than five decades. His first TV credit
   was for the 1960 series "Naked City" and his last credit was for
   the 2015 film "Bone Tomahawk." Though Tolkan is perhaps most
   recognized for his work in the "Back to the Future" trilogy, in
   which he played principal Mr. Strickland in the 1985 original and
   1989 sequel. In 1990, he returned as the grandfather of his
   character for the third film.

   Tolkan is also known for his appearance in "Top Gun." In Tony
   Scott's 1986 action film, Tolkan played Commander Tom Jardian, also
   known by the nickname Stinger, alongside stars Tom Cruise, Val
   Kilmer, Meg Ryan and more.

   He also had roles in films including "WarGames," "Stiletto,"
   "Abduction," "They Might Be Giants," "The Amityville Horror,"
   "Off Beat," "Armed and Dangerous" and more. He had roles in TV
   shows like "Leverage," "A Nero Wolfe Mystery," "The Pretender,"
   "Early Edition," "Nowhere Man," "Cobra" and "The Wonder Years,"
   among others.

   Tolkan was born on June 20, 1931 in Calumet, Michigan and attended
   Coe College and the University of Iowa after joining the U.S. Navy.
   He ultimately traveled to New York, where he studied at The Actors
   Studio with Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg.

   Tolkan is survived by his wife, Parmelee, whom he met on the set of
   "Pinkville," an off-Broadway play, in 1971.

   An obituary on the Back to the Future website asked for donations to
   your local animal shelter, animal rescue organization or Humane
   Society chapter.

<https://variety.com/2026/film/news/james-tolkan-dead-top-gun-back-to- the-future-1236701891/>

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2