James Toklan, best known for his roles in films like Back to the Future and Top Gun, died at 94 on Thursday. Now, his Back to the Future co-star, Christopher Lloyd, is honoring him in a very touching moment.
Lloyd, 87, a beloved actor known for portraying Emmett “Doc” Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy, took to Instagram on Friday to honor Tolkan just one day after his death. Pulling from one of the film’s most iconic quotes, Lloyd honored his friend with a touching memorial.
“James, where you’re going…you don’t need roads. Miss you, friend,” the actor captioned the photo, which showed the duo mugging for the camera during a recent moment. In the photo, Tolkan waved his finger at Lloyd, perhaps a callback to his role as the strict authoritarian Mr. Strickland, the bowtie-wearing boss of Hill Valley High School in the original Back to the Future film, who constantly threatened George McFly, Marty’s father, for being a “slacker.”
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When Did James Tolkan Die?
Tolkan died Thursday in Saranac Lake, New York, a family spokesperson told TheHollywood Reporter. His obituary shared a touching legacy of a man who fought tirelessly to build an acting career.
“After a stint in the U.S. Navy, he attended Coe College and the University of Iowa, came to New York with $75 in his pocket, and studied with Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg at The Actors Studio, where (Warren) Beatty was a classmate in 1956,” the piece read.
Tolkan went on to star in legendary films including Top Gun, The Friends of Eddie Coyle, Serpico, and Dick Tracy. He also had several memorable TV roles, including True Blood and A&E’s A Nero Wolfe Mystery, as well as theatrical roles, including the original Broadway production of David Mamet‘s Glengarry Glen Ross.
James Tolkan’s Best Moments in Back to the Future
We would be remiss if we didn’t close out the story with a great moment honoring Tolkan onscreen when he comes face-to-face with Marty McFly!
Related: ‘Back to the Future’ Star Dead at 94
