Actor James Tolkan of ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Back to the Future’ dies at 94

Actor James Tolkan, known for his roles as a Marine in “Top Gun” and a gruff high school principal in “Back to the Future,” has died. He was 94 years old.

Tolkan died Thursday in Lake Placid, New York, where he lived, his booking agent, John Alcantar, said Saturday. A brief obituary published on the Back to the Future website said that Tolkien died “peacefully,” without mentioning the cause of death.

In Back to the Future, Tolkan played bow-tie-wearing Vice Principal Gerald Strickland, who monitors the students for trouble in the halls of the fictitious Hill Valley High School — particularly Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox.

“You’ve got a real behavioral problem, McFly,” Tolkien’s character says in the 1985 film. “You’re lazy. You remind me of your father when he went here. He was lazy too.”

Tolkan also appeared in the film Top Gun as Commanding Officer Tom “Stinger” Guardian. Near the end of the film, when Tom Cruise’s character, Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, is asked by Guardian about his choice for future duty, Mitchell replies that he wants to become a Top Gun trainer.

“God help us,” Tolkien’s character responds with a laugh.

Tolkan was born in Calumet, Michigan, graduated from high school in Arizona and served in the Navy during the Korean War. He eventually made his way to New York, where he spent a quarter century acting in theatrical roles. He was a member of the original cast of “Glengarry Glen Ross”.

Tolkan left behind a wife, Parmeli Willis, after 54 years of marriage, and she said in a statement that her husband was also an avid art collector and animal lover.