Actor James Tolkan of 'Top Gun' and 'Back to the Future' fame dies at 94

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Actor James Tolkan of 'Top Gun' and 'Back to the Future' fame dies at 94
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James Tolkan, known for his roles as authoritarian figures in the “Back to the Future” and “Top Gun” films, has died. He was 94.

FILE - Back to the Future: The Musical is playing at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway in New York on Friday, Nov. 16, 2023. James Tolkan, known for his roles as authoritarian figures in the “Back to the Future” and “Top Gun” films, has died.

He was 94. 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 Tolkan died “peacefully,” but no cause of death was given. In “Back to the Future,” Tolkan portrayed the bow tie-wearing vice principal Gerald Strickland, who eyeballed students for trouble in the halls of the fictitious Hill Valley High School — in particular Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox. “You got a real attitude problem, McFly,” Tolkan’s character says in the 1985 film. “You’re a slacker. You remind me of your father when he went here. He was a slacker, too.” Tolkan also appeared in “Top Gun” as commanding officer Tom “Stinger” Jardian. Near the end of the film, when Jardian asks Tom Cruise’s character, Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, about his choice for future duty, Mitchell replies that he wants to be a Top Gun instructor.Born in Calumet, Michigan, Tolkan served in the Navy during the Korean War and eventually made his way to New York, where he spent a quarter century acting in theater roles. He was a member of the original ensemble cast of “Glengarry Glen Ross.”James Tolkan, known for his roles as authoritarian figures in the “Back to the Future” and “Top Gun” films, has died. He was 94. 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 Tolkan PORTLAND, Maine — Hundreds of striking employees at one of the U.S. Navy’s biggest shipbuilding contractors voted Saturday to approve a deal with Bath Iron Works, ending a weeklong strike. Members of the Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement that goes into effect immediately, the shipyard said. Approval followed ST. PAUL, Minn. — The third round of “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump’s administration is happening Saturday across the U.S., with Minnesota hosting the flagship rally in St. Paul. Demonstrations are also taking place in Europe.WASHINGTON — The number of Americans wounded in the Iran war has grown beyond 300, with more than two dozen troops injured this week from attacks on a Saudi air base. Iran fired six ballistic missiles and 29 drones at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan air base in an attack Friday that injured at least With spring break in full swing, airline passengers continued to wait it out at major U.S. airports after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to pay Transportation Security Administration officers aimed at alleviating long security lines. Trump’s executive order on Friday instructed the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA officers immediately, although it’s GRAPEVINE, Texas — It was Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s show at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where hundreds of right-wing activists from around the country hailed him as Republicans’ clear choice for U.S. Senate. After meeting with supporters behind closed doors, Paxton crowned the day by standing before thousands as the keynote speaker WSECU Community Champion: Chrystal Ortega’s mission to feed Spokane Chrystal Ortega's tireless dedication recently earned her the WSECU Community Champions Award and a $1,000 grant to further the mission.When Shawn Tibbitts opened Tibbitts FernHill, he was just trying to survive. The small Tacoma restaurant has since earned culinary awards and praise.Wilcox Family Farms is continuing its cherished holiday tradition of giving back by donating nearly one million eggs to food banks across the South Sound region this season.Matthew Ballantyne has transformed that early awareness into action, embodying the organization's mission:"No Kid Sleeps On The Floor In Our Town."

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