Actor James Tolkan, best known for playing authoritarian figures in the 1980s classics Back To The Future and Top Gun, has died aged 94. Tolkan died on Thursday in Lake Placid, New York, where he lived, according to his booking agent. A brief obituary published on the Back To The Future website said Tolkan died “peacefully”, but no cause of death was given. Arguably Tolkan’s best-known role was as Mr Strickland in Back To The Future (Alamy/PA)“You got a real attitude problem, McFly,” Tolkan’s character says in the 1985 film. James Tolkan was best known for playing authoritarian figures (Alamy/PA)“God help us,” Tolkan’s character replies, laughing.

Source: Irish Examiner March 29, 2026 14:11 UTC