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James Tolkan

Actor | Director

Fiery, forceful and intimidating character actor James Tolkan has carved out a nice little niche for himself in both movies and television alike as a formidable portrayer of fierce and flinty hard-boiled tough guy types. Tolkan was born on June 20, 1931, in Calumet, Michigan. His father, Ralph M. Tolkan... See full bio »

Born:

James S. Tolkan
in Calumet, Michigan, USA
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Still of Jeff Fahey and James Tolkan in True Blood Still of James Tolkan in True Blood James S. Tolkan as Thomas Knight Sr. in Heavens Fall
4 photos | 68 videos | 16 news articles »

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Known For


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Filmography

Jump to: Actor | Director | Thanks | Self
Hide HideActor (78 titles)
2012 Untitled Phil Spector Biopic (TV movie) (filming)
Judge Fidler
 
2011 Leverage (TV series)
Dean Chesny
– The Cross My Heart Job (2011) … Dean Chesny
 
2006 Heavens Fall
Thomas Knight, Sr.
 
2004 Seven Times Lucky
Dutch
 
2001-2002 A Nero Wolfe Mystery (TV series)
Avery Ballou / Benedict Aiken / Bernard Quest / …
– Cop Killer (2002) … Ed Graboff
– The Silent Speaker: Part 2 (2002) … FBI Agent Richard Wragg
– The Silent Speaker: Part 1 (2002) … FBI Agent Richard Wragg
– Help Wanted, Male (2002) … Ben Jenson
– Too Many Clients: Part 2 (2002) … Benedict Aiken
See all 21 episodes »
 
1999 Wings: Thrill of Flight
Host
 
1997 The Pretender (TV series)
FBI Special Agent Korkos
– Dragon House: Part 1 (1997) … FBI Special Agent Korkos
– Dragon House: Part 2 (1997) … FBI Special Agent Korkos
 
1997 Love in Ambush
Agent Price
 
1997 Robo Warriors
Quon
 
1996 Early Edition (TV series)
Coach Philips
– Hoops (1996) … Coach Philips
 
1996 Underworld
Dan 'Iceberg' Eagan
 
1996 Nowhere Man (TV series)
Commander Cyrus Quinn
– Heart of Darkness (1996) … Commander Cyrus Quinn
 
1996 Top Gun: Fire at Will (Video Game)
Commander Hondo
 
1995 Sketch Artist II: Hands That See (TV movie)
Tonelli
 
1994 Beyond Betrayal (TV movie)
Joe Maloney
 
1993-1994 Cobra (TV series)
Dallas Cassel
– Aces and Eights (1994) … Dallas Cassel
– Precious (1994) … Dallas Cassel
– Lorinda (1994) … Dallas Cassel
– Haunted Lives (1994) … Dallas Cassel
– A Few Dead Men (1994) … Dallas Cassel
See all 22 episodes »
 
1994 River of Stone
 
1993/I Boiling Point
Levitt
 
1993 The Wonder Years (TV series)
Coach Silva
– Hulk Arnold (1993) … Coach Silva
 
1992-1993 The Hat Squad (TV series)
Mike Ragland
– Lifestyles of the Rich and Infamous (1993) … Mike Ragland
– The Widow Marker (1992) … Mike Ragland
– Pilot (1992) … Mike Ragland
 
1992 Bloodfist IV: Die Trying (video)
Agent Sterling
 
1992 Sketch Artist (TV movie)
Lt. Tonelli
 
1992 Tequila and Bonetti (TV series)
– Fetch This, Pal (1992)
 
1991 Problem Child 2
Mr. Thorn
 
1991 Tales from the Crypt (TV series)
Sgt. McClaine
– The Trap (1991) … Sgt. McClaine
 
1991 Driving Me Crazy
Vince
 
1991 Hangfire
Patch
 
1990 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (TV series)
Dr. Oates
– Day Damn One (1990) … Dr. Oates
 
1990 Dick Tracy
Numbers
 
1990 Back to the Future Part III
Marshal James Strickland
 
1990 Sunset Beat (TV movie)
Ray Parker
 
1990 Sunset Beat (TV series)
Ray Parker
– One Down, Four Up (1990) … Ray Parker
 
1990 Opportunity Knocks
Sal
 
1989 Family Business
Judge (as James S. Tolkan)
 
1989 Back to the Future Part II
Mr. Strickland
 
1989 Second Sight
Coolidge
 
1989 Ministry of Vengeance
Col. Freeman
 
1989 True Blood
Det. Joseph Hanley
 
1989 The Case of the Hillside Stranglers (TV movie)
Lt. Ed Henderson
 
1989 The Equalizer (TV series)
Ruger
– The Visitation (1989) … Ruger
 
1988 Split Decisions
Benny Pistone
 
1988 Leap of Faith (TV movie)
Doctor Siegel
 
1988 Viper
Col. William Tansey
 
1988 Weekend War (TV movie)
Dr. Alex Thompson (as James B. Tolkan)
 
1987 Miami Vice (TV series)
Mason Mather
– Amen... Send Money (1987) … Mason Mather
 
1987 Made in Heaven
Mr. Bjornstead
 
1987 Masters of the Universe
Detective Lubic
 
1985-1987 Remington Steele (TV series)
Norman Keyes
– The Steele That Wouldn't Die: Part 1 (1987) … Norman Keyes
– The Steele That Wouldn't Die: Part 2 (1987) … Norman Keyes
– Bonds of Steele (1986) … Norman Keyes
– Forged Steele (1985) … Norman Keyes
– Diced Steele (1985) … Norman Keyes
 
1986 Little Spies (TV movie)
The Kennel Master
 
1986 Armed and Dangerous
Lou Brackman
 
1986 Top Gun
Stinger
 
1986 Off Beat
Harry
 
1985-1986 Mary (TV series)
Lester Mintz
– Steppin' Out with Mary Brenner (1986) … Lester Mintz
– Little Jo (1986) … Lester Mintz
– And the Winner Is (1986) … Lester Mintz
– Mr. Lucky (1986) … Lester Mintz
– Table for Two (1986) … Lester Mintz
See all 13 episodes »
 
1985 Walls of Glass
Turner
 
1985 Back to the Future
Mr. Strickland
 
1985 Hill Street Blues (TV series)
Coach Beasley
– Queen for a Day (1985) … Coach Beasley
 
1985 Turk 182!
Hanley
 
1984 The River
Howard Simpson
 
1984 Iceman
Maynard
 
1983 Nightmares
Voice of The Bishop (segment "Bishop of Battle") (voice)
 
1983 WarGames
Nigan
 
1983 American Playhouse (TV series)
Billy
– Wings (1983) … Billy
 
1982 Author! Author!
Lt. Glass
 
1982 Hanky Panky
Conferee
 
1981 Prince of the City
District Attorney Polito
 
1981 Wolfen
Baldy
 
1979 The Amityville Horror
Coroner
 
1976 Independence (short)
Tom Paine
 
1975 Love and Death
Napoleon
 
1973 Serpico
Steiger (as James Tolkin)
 
1973 The Werewolf of Washington
Dark Glasses
 
1973 The Friends of Eddie Coyle
The Man's contact man
 
1971 They Might Be Giants
Mr. Brown
 
1969 Stiletto
Edwards
 
1969 N.Y.P.D. (TV series)
– The Night Watch (1969)
 
1966 The Three Sisters (as James Tolkin)
 
1962 Armstrong Circle Theatre (TV series)
Stefan Malwitz
– Episode #12.22 (1962) … Stefan Malwitz
– The Man Who Refused to Die (1962) … Stefan Malwitz
 
1960 Naked City (TV series)
Mail Clerk
– The Man Who Bit a Diamond in Half (1960) … Mail Clerk (as Jim Tolkan)
 
Show ShowDirector (1 title)
2002 A Nero Wolfe Mystery (TV series)
– Die Like a Dog (2002)
– The Next Witness (2002)
 
Show ShowThanks (1 title)
2009 Looking Back to the Future (video documentary) (special thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (3 titles)
2009 Looking Back to the Future (video documentary)
Himself
 
2006 Looking Back at the Future (documentary)
Himself
 
1990 Guns: A Day in the Death of America (TV documentary)
 

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Personal Details

Other Works:

Acted in a Broadway stage production of "Golda" which ran from November 14, 1977 to February 15, 1978 See more »

Alternate Names:

James B. Tolkan | James S. Tolkan | Jim Tolkan | James Tolkin

Height:

5' 6" (1.68 m)
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Did You Know?

Trivia:

Was the first person in mind for Strickland in Back to the Future. See more »

Star Sign:

Gemini