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James Stewart Tolkan (born June 20, 1931) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as high school vice-principal in charge of disciplineCraig Shaw Gardner: Back to the Future Part II (novelization) (page 105) 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). Other memorable film roles include Love and Death (1975), (1986), Masters of the Universe (1987), Dick Tracy (1990), and Problem Child 2 (1991).


Early life
Tolkan "Miss Welles Wed to Actor". The New York Times. August 29, 1971. was born in Calumet, Michigan, the son of Dale Nichols and Ralph M. Tolkan, a cattle dealer.

Tolkan graduated from Amphitheater High School in Tucson, Arizona, in 1949, where he played on the football team. He then attended the University of Iowa, , the and Eastern Arizona College. Tolkan served in the U.S. Navy onboard the USS Sandoval, but he had an issue with his heart; within a year, he was discharged for medical reasons.


Career
Tolkan is perhaps best known for his role in the 1985 film Back to the Future as the strict Hill Valley High School vice principal Gerald Strickland; the character refers to , his father, and derisively as "slackers". He reprised the role in the 1989 sequel Back to the Future Part II, in which unnamed gang members make a drive-by assault on him in a dystopian 1985; he also refers to these criminals as "slackers" as he shoots back. In 1990, he played the part of Strickland's grandfather Chief Marshal James Strickland in Back to the Future Part III. Tolkan would again reprise his role as Strickland, and the character's ancestors and descendants, in the 1991 animated series spin-off.

Other well-known roles include an FBI agent in and Stinger, the no-nonsense commanding officer of 's embarked F-14 squadron in the 1986 box-office hit . He portrayed the role of cold and determined District Attorney Polito in 's Prince of the City. He played the obsequious and evasive union treasurer Lou Brackman in 1986’s Armed and Dangerous. He appeared in the 1987 film Masters of the Universe as Detective Lubic. He had a dual role in the comedy Love and Death, playing both and a look-alike. He appeared as Big Boy Caprice's accountant "Numbers" in the 1990 film Dick Tracy. He appeared in (1973) in a small but notable role as a policeman who accuses Serpico of having a homosexual encounter with another policeman in a men's room.

Tolkan has made guest appearances on many TV shows, including The Hat Squad, Naked City, , and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. A member of the repertory cast of A Nero Wolfe Mystery (2001–02), he played more than a dozen varied roles in the A&E TV series and also directed two episodes ("Die Like a Dog" and "The Next Witness").


Filmography

Film
+ James Tolkan film credits
Unknown
Edwards
Mr. Brown
The Man's Contact Man
Dark Glasses
Lieutenant Steiger (as James Tolkin)
Napoleon Bonaparte
Off-Duty Cop
The Coroner
"Baldy", Medical Examiner
District Attorney Polito
Conferee
Lieutenant Glass
FBI Agent George Wigan
Voice of The Bishop
Maynard
Howard Simpson
Hanley
Principal Gerald Strickland
Turner
Harry
Commander Tom "Stinger" Jardian
Lou Brackman
The Kennel Master
Detective Hugh Lubic
Mr. Bjornstead
Colonel William Tansey
Benny Pistone
Detective Joe Hanley
Captain Coolidge
Principal Gerald Strickland
Colonel Freeman
Judge In 2nd Trial
Sal Nichols
U.S. Marshal James Strickland
"Numbers"
"Patch"
Vince
Mr. Thorn
Agent Sterling
Senior US Treasury Agent Jerry Levitt
Dan "Iceberg" Eagan
Quon
Host
"Dutch"
Thomas Knight Sr.
The Pianist
2024Tom Wilson: Humbly Super Famous Himself


Television
+ James Tolkan television credits
1960Naked CityEvan HumboldtEpisode: "The Man Who Bit a Diamond in Half"
1962Armstrong Circle TheatreStefan MalwitzEpisode: "The Man Who Refused to Die"
1969N.Y.P.D.McCloudEpisode: "The Night Watch"
1983American PlayhouseBillyEpisode: "Wings"
1985Hill Street BluesCoach BeasleyEpisode: "Queen for a Day"
1985–1986MaryLester Mintz13 episodes
1985–1987Norman Keyes
1987Mason MatherEpisode: "Amen ... Send Money"
1988Dr. Alex ThompsonTV movie
1988Leap of FaithDr. SiegelTV movie
1989The EqualizerRugerEpisode: "The Visitation"
1989The Case of the Hillside StranglersLt. Ed HendersonTV movie
1990Sunset BeatRay ParkerEpisode: "One Down, Four Up"
1990The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirDr. Oates / Dr. BloatEpisode: "Day Damn One"
1991Tales from the CryptSergeant McClaineEpisode: "The Trap"
1992Tequila and BonettiUnknownEpisode: "Fetch This, Pal"
1992Lieutenant TonelliTV movie
1992The Hat SquadMike RaglandEpisode: "The Widow Marker"
1992Back to the FutureCivil Defense WardenEpisode: "Marty McFly PFC"
1993The Wonder YearsCoach SilvaEpisode: "Hulk Arnold"
1993–1994CobraDallas Cassel22 episodes
1994Beyond BetrayalJoe MaloneyTV movie
1995Lieutenant TonelliTV movie
1996Nowhere ManCommander Cyrus QuinnEpisode: "Heart of Darkness"
1996Coach PhillipsEpisode: "Hoops"
1997Love in AmbushAgent PriceTV movie
1997The PretenderFBI Special Agent KorkosEpisode: "Dragon House"
2001–2002Nero Wolfe
2011LeverageDean ChesnyEpisode: "The Cross My Heart Job"
2013Phil SpectorLarry FidlerTV movie
2021Expedition: Back to the FutureStrickland / GuardSeason 1, episode 1


Video games
  • 1996: - Commander Hondo
  • 1998: - Commander Hondo


External links
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