New Delhi, March 28 -- Actor James Tolkan, who was popularly known for the Back to the Future trilogy, Tom Cruise's commanding officer in Top Gun, passed away on Thursday in Saranac Lake, New York. He was 94. His death was confirmed by a family spokesperson, as reported by Hollywood Reporter.

News of Tolkan's death was shared by writer-producer Bob Gale and also announced on the franchise's official website. "Actor James Tolkan, son of Ralph Tolkan and Margery Sibola, passed away peacefully in Saranac Lake, NY on March 26, 2026. He was 94," it read.

Born in Calumet, Michigan, in 1931, James Tolkan had a Hollywood career spanning decades.

At 14, following his parents' divorce, Tolkan reached Tucson, where he graduated from Amphitheater ...