James Tolkan Dies: ‘Back to the Future’ and ‘Top Gun’ Actor was 94

Actor James Tolkan, who was perhaps best known for his roles as Michael J. Fox‘s belittling high school principal, Mr. Strickland, in Robert Zemeckis‘ Back to the Future and Tom Cruise‘s hardline commanding officer, Commander Tom “Stinger” Jardian, in Tony Scott‘s Top Gun, has died at age 94.

His passing was announced via the official Back to the Future website. According to the statement, he passed away peacefully in Saranac Lake, New York, but did not mention the cause of death.