1931 - 2026
James Tolkan American Actor
21
Rest in Peace James Tolkan.
Passed away on 26th March, 2026 aged 94.
James Tolkan dating history
Relationships
James Tolkan was previously married to Parmelee Welles (1971).
About
American Actor James Tolkan was born James Stewart Tolkan on 20th June, 1931 in Calumet, Michigan, USA and passed away on 26th Mar 2026 Adirondack Health, Saranac Lake, New York, USA aged 94. He is most remembered for his roles as Napoleon Bonaparte in the 1975 comedy film Love and Death, District Attorney Polito in the 1981 epic neo-noir crime drama film Prince of the City, FBI Agent George Wigan in the 1983 techno-thriller film WarGames, Howard Simpson in the 1984 Southern Gothic drama film The River, Principal Gerald Strickland in the 1985 science fiction film Back to the Future and its 1989 sequel film Back to the Future Part II, Norman Keyes in the NBC detective fiction series Remington Steele, Commander Tom "Stinger" Jardian in the 1986 action drama film Top Gun, Detective Hugh Lubic in the 1987 sword and sorcery film Masters of the Universe, U.S. Chief Marshal James Strickland in the 1990 science fiction Western film Back to the Future Part III, "Numbers" in the 1990 crime action film Dick Tracy, Captain Mike Ragland in the CBS crime drama series The Hat Squad, Dallas Cassel in the syndicated action adventure series Cobra, Dan "Iceberg" Eagan in the 1996 neo-noir action comedy film Underworld, and Thomas Knight Sr. in the 2006 courtroom drama film Heavens Fall. His zodiac sign is Gemini.
James Tolkan is a member of the following lists: American film actors, American television actors and Actors from Michigan.
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Relationship Statistics
| Type | Total | Longest | Average | Shortest |
|---|
| Married | 1 |
55 years, 3 months
|
-
|
-
|
|---|
| Total | 1 |
55 years, 3 months
|
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|
-
|
|---|
Details
| First Name |
James
|
| Middle Name |
Stewart
|
| Last Name |
Tolkan
|
| Full Name at Birth |
James Stewart Tolkan
|
| Birthday |
20th June, 1931
|
| Birthplace |
Calumet, Michigan, USA
|
| Died |
26th March, 2026
|
| Place of Death |
Adirondack Health, Saranac Lake, New York, USA
|
| Height |
5' 6" (168 cm)
|
| Build |
Average
|
| Eye Color |
Blue
|
| Hair Color |
Bald
|
| Zodiac Sign |
Gemini
|
| Sexuality |
Straight
|
| Ethnicity |
White
|
| Nationality |
American
|
| High School |
Amphitheater High School
|
| University |
University of Iowa, Coe College, Eastern Arizona College
|
| Occupation Text |
Actor
|
| Occupation |
Actor
|
| Claim to Fame |
his roles as Napoleon Bonaparte in the 1975 comedy film Love and Death, District Attorney Polito in the 1981 epic neo-noir crime drama film Prince of the City, FBI Agent George Wigan in the 1983 techno-thriller film WarGames, Howard Simpson in the 1984 Southern Gothic drama film The River, Principal Gerald Strickland in the 1985 science fiction film Back to the Future and its 1989 sequel film Back to the Future Part II, Norman Keyes in the NBC detective fiction series Remington Steele, Commander Tom "Stinger" Jardian in the 1986 action drama film Top Gun, Detective Hugh Lubic in the 1987 sword and sorcery film Masters of the Universe, U.S. Chief Marshal James Strickland in the 1990 science fiction Western film Back to the Future Part III, "Numbers" in the 1990 crime action film Dick Tracy, Captain Mike Ragland in the CBS crime drama series The Hat Squad, Dallas Cassel in the syndicated action adventure series Cobra, Dan "Iceberg" Eagan in the 1996 neo-noir action comedy film Underworld, and Thomas Knight Sr. in the 2006 courtroom drama film Heavens Fall
|
| Year(s) Active |
1960–present, 1960–2015, 1960–2024
|
James Stewart Tolkan (June 20, 1931 – March 26, 2026) was an American character actor. He is best known for his roles as high school vice-principal in charge of discipline Mr. Strickland in Back to the Future (1985) and Back to the Future Part II (1989), and as the character's ancestor, Marshal James Strickland, in Back to the Future Part III (1990). His other memorable film roles include Serpico (1973), Love and Death (1975), Prince of the City (1981), Top Gun (1986), Masters of the Universe (1987), Dick Tracy (1990), and Problem Child 2 (1991).
