One of James Tolkan’s “Back to the Future” co-stars has paid tribute to the late character actor after he passed away at the age of 94. Lea Thompson played Marty McFly’s mother, Lorraine Baines McFly, in the iconic sci-fi movie, while Tolkan played Hill Valley high school principal Stanford S. Strickland.
Tolkan died on March 26 at his home in Saranac Lake, New York. His passing was said to be peaceful, but no specific cause of death has been publicly disclosed.
As well as the “Back to the Future” trilogy, Tolkan was also known for appearing in movies like 1973’s “Serpico,” 1986’s “Top Gun,” 1987’s “Masters of the Universe,” and 1990’s “Dick Tracy” (per IMDb).
Thompson became one of many of Tolkan’s co-stars to have their say on the late star. She took to her Instagram account to share her thoughts with her 466,000 followers.
Lea Thompson Praised ‘Kind,’ ‘Beautiful,’ and ‘Wonderful’ James Tolkan
Lea Thompson’s tribute to James Tolkan includes a carousel of seven photographs. Each of the images has her and Tolkan in them, while several include their “Back to the Future” co-stars alongside them. Also featured in the images are Michael J. Fox (Marty McFly), Christopher Lloyd (Emmett “Doc” Brown), Thomas F. Wilson (Biff Tannen), and others.
Thompson’s caption on her post reads, “James Tolkan. Oh boy, I loved this man. What a kind,beautiful, wonderful actor and friend. He loved his work, his family, and his fans. We had so many good times with our #backtothefuture family. Rest in peace, you were never a slacker💔 You were the best.”
It’s a lovely and heartfelt tribute. That the likes of Fox and Lloyd have also posted similar tributes showing their love for Tolkan is testament to the kind man he was.
Thompson’s Followers Expressed Their Love and Grief in the Comments Section
GettyLea Thompson’s followers flocked to the comments section of her tribute to James Tolkan. They left messages expressing their own thoughts on the actor’s sad passing.
One of Thompson’s followers said, “@lea_thompson You are lucky to have had the opportunity to work with him. Rest in peace Mr. Strickland 😢👏.”
Another follower commented, “We’re Going to Miss Him, Honey 😢 💔.”
Someone else wrote a lengthy post that read, “Thank you Mr. Strickland I know I was a slacker in high school but I didn’t get a tarty I had a hall pass I dated Marty McFly‘s girlfriend Jennifer so that way I’d be in his band no one has seen McFly travel in time through the DeLorean with Dr. Brown if I had to travel so fast it would make my head spin rest in peace to you james I will be always the slacker in high school I was the character that went to top gun.”
A user shared a memory of Tolkan in the “Back to the Future” movies, writing, “One of one of my fave lines from BTTF2 – when the gang dudes drive by and yell: Heeeeey Strickland!!!! I don’t why but it gets me every time. May he RIP. 💐”
Finally, someone commented, “I saw the doc posted this a bit ago, man was a legend! No one would mess with that man on screen ! , forever an iconic dude ! 💔🫡”
We’d like to send our sincere condolences to James Tolkan’s family and friends at this sad time. May he rest in eternal peace.
