He was in great health, still doing conventions right up to the end. Remember him from Masters of the Universe with Dolph Lungren and Courtney Cox.
491
helloiamabearMar 27, 2026
+141
He was just at Dragoncon this summer and he seemed so full of joy. I'm so sad.
141
SRSgoblinMar 28, 2026
+90
But on the flip side, it seems like he was enjoying life up til the very end. And that's pretty sweet. That's the dream for most of us, I think.
90
UnsignedRealityCheckMar 28, 2026
+1
My grandfather lived up to 96, but for the last 30 years he spent in wheelchair almost completely immobile due to spending his life never doing any physical activities. He was sharp as a razor until the end, but couldn't do anything except sit there. That served me as a wake up call to keep my health up, because what's the point of retirement if you're just going to sit there waiting to die. No thanks.
1
Uncommented-CodeMar 28, 2026
+1
Ditto. I'm still relatively young but I don't fall into the young category anymore. I've decided I want to keep doing at least one sport and work out a bit every day at home *now* so that I don't have to build that habit when I'm closer to 60 than 20.
My grandma, bless her heart, turned 80 this year and she's still active in her hiking community. She regularly goes for walks that take multiple hours. I'm not sure who is fitter between the two of us.
1
Deofol7Mar 28, 2026
+7
Yup. Watched his panels from my hotel room
7
DeadpoolAndFriendsMar 27, 2026
+47
Everyone always talks about how much Frank Langella stole the show in that movie, but James Tolkan's role was hilarious! I love That movie as a kid, and he was one of my favorite parts.
47
Fickle-Aardvark6907Mar 28, 2026
+17
Nobody takes potshots at Lubik!
17
Cyke101Mar 28, 2026
+1
*chk-CHK*
**EAT LEAD, SLACKERS!**
1
bengringo2Mar 27, 2026
+30
He showed up at every con. One of those actors you got the feeling he legitimately loved the roles he played. I remember him talking at a panel for 40 minutes straight and at the time he was like 85.
30
FoxMcCloudOwnsSlippyMar 27, 2026
+1794
RIP. The man delivered one of the best lines in Simpson/Bruckheimer cinema
"Son, your ego is writing checks your body can't cash"
1794
KentuckyFriedEelMar 27, 2026
+126
“You’re a slacker!”
126
clarkejoseph49Mar 28, 2026
+31
That’s right I’m a slacker, you gave me Detention last week.
31
hawaiianbryMar 28, 2026
+26
The school burned down six years ago!!
26
FizzyBeverageMar 28, 2026
+14
*So you’re the sonofabitch who’s been stealing my newspapers…*
14
seanwd11Mar 27, 2026
+729
Not as good as 'You'll be flying a cargo plane full of rubber dog shit out of Hong Kong!!!'
729
dropkickninjaMar 27, 2026
+98
First thing that came to my mind.
"If you screw up just this much, just this much..."
98
dr_neurdMar 28, 2026
+1
I can almost smell the cigar nub
1
jcat47Mar 28, 2026
+114
"and you a******, you're lucky to be here"
114
arsenalgooner77Mar 28, 2026
+40
That is my favorite line in Top Gun, mostly because it’s preceded by the line that sets up the new one. Although as a like 9 year old when the original came out I had no idea it would lead to a sequel 40 years later or whatever and it was still a great line back then.
40
TzunamitomMar 28, 2026
+25
That, and of course “Top…Gun?!?”.
25
5easonalDepre55ionMar 28, 2026
+1
“With a series of high-speed passes over five air control towers… and one Admiral’s daughter.”
“Penny Benjamin.”
1
butt__cheexMar 28, 2026
+25
Thank you sir!
25
5easonalDepre55ionMar 28, 2026
+1
Thank you, sir.
1
RedBaronSportsCardsMar 27, 2026
+50
Not his line but my favorite is: "I want some butts!" (and then fast foward to the volleyball scene)
50
Zackeous42Mar 28, 2026
+11
"Playing with the boys!"
11
FoxMcCloudOwnsSlippyMar 27, 2026
+28
So good
Edit: Should have replied, 'Yes, Sir!!'
28
Hank_Scorpio_ObGynMar 27, 2026
+38
You still got the number to that truck driving school?
38
seanwd11Mar 27, 2026
+17
Truckmasters? Hell yes I do.
17
What-a-CrockMar 28, 2026
+12
I want to bust your butt but I can’t
12
JazzlikeEntry8288Mar 28, 2026
+14
I gotta send someone from this squadron to Miramar!
14
CasinoMarginaleMar 28, 2026
+4
One of my all time favorite movie lines
4
oldmanbellyMar 28, 2026
+3
That always sounded like the best job ever. If you crashed that plane, you’d bounce because of all the rubber poop.
3
SeaworthinessOk2646Mar 28, 2026
+3
Unironically it establishes so much in that scene about the characters
3
kennedye2112Mar 28, 2026
+53
"Bull-*shit* ten minutes, this thing'll be over in *two* minutes! Get on it!"
53
faceisamapoftheworldMar 28, 2026
+15
This is the one. This is peak.
15
LightenUpPhrancisMar 28, 2026
+1
250 miles? *Get 'em outta here.*
1
grandmofftalkinMar 28, 2026
+36
"Do not fire unless fired upon."
36
innominatearteryMar 28, 2026
+8
There are 6 bogeys, sir
8
addictedpunkMar 27, 2026
+21
That’s because you’re a slacker!
21
1wrx2subarusMar 28, 2026
+22
Man, I’m gonna miss this actor.
The sweat, just dripping, as these lines get delivered.
I’d say he topped Tom Cruise by a mile on Top Gun. 🔥🛩️
22
ElbowSkinCellarWallMar 28, 2026
+11
That quote always comes to my mind when I see that guy. Great line and great delivery. Maybe it's the nostalgia speaking, but he was damn good in that role: there's not much to the role itself but I think he managed to infuse some life and character into it that lot of other actors would have overlooked.
11
LiquadoMar 28, 2026
+9
His hard “C”s were a thing of legend. RIP
9
JimmypowergamerMar 28, 2026
+1
Not to mention an almost throwaway line that turned into half the plot of the sequel:
"... with a history of high-speed passes over five air control towers, **and one admiral's daughter!**"
1
SheikYobootiMar 28, 2026
+6
You two characters…are going to Top Gun…
6
CreativeGeniusPRBKRMar 28, 2026
+4
Gentlemen. Good luck gentlemen
4
cryptoliptoMar 28, 2026
+2
“Goddammit! I want some butts!”
2
ResevoirPupsMar 27, 2026
+962
Slacker!
962
biZarrmeggeDonMar 27, 2026
+286
Just like his old man.
286
djankylosaurMar 27, 2026
+198
"No McFly ever amounted to anything in the history of Hill Valley"
198
Jeffffff4587Mar 27, 2026
+83
Well, history is gonna change
83
What-a-CrockMar 28, 2026
+46
Goddamn it, Maverick
46
PayneTrain181999Mar 28, 2026
+2
NeXt PlEaSe
2
nevertrickedMar 28, 2026
+29
"Now you got exactly three seconds to get off my porch with your nuts intact! One!"
29
FizzyBeverageMar 28, 2026
+10
Eat lead, SLACKERS! 🤣
10
riegspsych325Mar 28, 2026
+1
*Heyyy, Strickland!*
1
LamlotMar 27, 2026
+66
F***, he was still alive? He for sure was not a slacker.
66
grumblyoldmanMar 28, 2026
+16
The cheque finally bounced. RIP
16
jscarletMar 28, 2026
+24
Jeez, didnt that guy ever have hair?!
24
PayneTrain181999Mar 28, 2026
+16
EAT LEAD SLACKERS!
16
ifeelpinMar 27, 2026
+6
RIP to a legend of my childhood.
6
jayson2112Mar 28, 2026
+5
Didn’t that guy ever have hair?
5
hibbitydibbidyMar 28, 2026
+7
I WANT SOME BUTTS!
7
MaxxDashMar 28, 2026
+3
Am I to math that he was only in his 50s during these iconic roles?!
3
dinosauriacMar 28, 2026
+6
They actually did some pretty good old/young age makeup in the Back to the Future trilogy, what with them covering a 130 year timeframe. Strickland largely feels the same but does get extra wrinkles in '85.
6
Leroyp331Mar 28, 2026
+2
Fantastic character acting. Strickland was an all time iconic movie /TV principal.
2
Adequate_ImagesMar 27, 2026
+570
Only 94? Slacker!
570
End3rW1gg1nMar 27, 2026
+91
Sad when they go that young.
91
Archie204Mar 27, 2026
+37
WHEN THEY GO!?
37
probablyuntrueMar 27, 2026
+15
What is this, the fuckin UN NOOOOW?
15
PlastasticMar 28, 2026
+1
What's next, you get to F*** HER FOR A MILLION!?
1
GreensentryMar 28, 2026
+1
Take it easy. We’re not making a western here.
1
BrutoN82Mar 27, 2026
+13
Whatever happened there...
13
LifesJobberMar 28, 2026
+4
WHATEVER HAPPENED THERE?!?!?!
4
Mad-Mad-Mad-Mad-MikeMar 27, 2026
+16
94 years old... just a fuckin' kid
16
Flashy_Jello_9520Mar 28, 2026
+6
Could run for Congress!!
6
yarmulkeMar 28, 2026
+3
Struck down in his prime
3
CCG14Mar 27, 2026
+18
Gonna have you flying cargo planes of rubber dog shit outta Hong Kong!
18
Punchable_HairMar 28, 2026
+13
94? That means that he was 23 in 1955. Jesus, did that guy ever have hair?
13
StoneGoldXMar 27, 2026
+16
That's what happens when you mouth writes checks your ass can't cash.
16
garfodie81Mar 27, 2026
+4
Cut down in his prime.
4
Glass-Ad-4168Mar 27, 2026
+2
Came here to say just this!
2
racer_24_4evrMar 27, 2026
+210
Hopefully he’s reading a nudie mag with a belt of scotch in his office in the afterlife.
210
redmascMar 27, 2026
+85
Oh LàLà, oh LàLà!?
85
FizzyBeverageMar 28, 2026
+14
Nah it ain’t homework cuz… *I ain’t at home.*
14
beegtunaMar 28, 2026
+5
Seconded
5
exophrineMar 27, 2026
+260
You might talk about *BACK TO THE FUTURE* and *TOP GUN*
Where's the love for his role in *MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE*???
260
Beneficial-Bee9266Mar 27, 2026
+41
Yes! Masters of the Universe is what I thought of first. Was just talking with my brother about this movie last weekend, including about him specifically in this role.
41
PrezofcalendarsMar 27, 2026
+18
Me too!! I remember watching that movie so much as a kid. Wish they made the sequel but from what I remember that production was cursed
18
johnnyboy8707Mar 27, 2026
+7
I forgot he was in that one. Loved that movie as a kid. R.I.P
7
MistrblankMar 27, 2026
+17
As a He-man kid, I was so confused by that movie. But as I’ve grown that movie is f****** awesome. And right now I’m not looking forward to the cheese we’re getting soon.
I’m honestly sad we didn’t get the sequel indicated at the end.
17
WaltMittyMar 27, 2026
+9
Frank Langella gets well-deserved credit for going all on in with his performance. Tolkan also did a fantastic job balancing seriousness and camp.
I hope the cast of the first MOTU movie gets love during promotion for the new movie.
9
Guy626Mar 28, 2026
+4
My thought exactly! Childhood favorite and I still watch and love it to this day.
4
johnnyblazed81Mar 28, 2026
+2
That's what I'll always remember him from, MOTU
2
Jester1525Mar 28, 2026
+2
I had forgotten he was in Masters of the Universe until I watched it the other day.. I was so excited to see him because I've always loved him in all his roles.. Such a great no-nonsense tough guy..
2
KheshireMar 28, 2026
+2
What's amazing is he's memorable in Masters of the Universe while playing a character that does absolutely nothing for the plot
2
MaskatronMar 27, 2026
+2
Red Letter Media just did an excellent video on this one. There’s some fun mashups with his other roles.
https://youtu.be/jFyQHowI6ZU?t=0h16m51s
2
VRomero32Mar 27, 2026
+74
RIP Principal Strickland and the Moody Admiral in Top Gun who believed in Maverick!
74
Stan_Halen_Mar 28, 2026
+17
Commander. He would report to a rear admiral.
17
MaxxDashMar 28, 2026
+10
In Top Gun, everyone’s a Rear Admiral
10
bdreynoldsMar 28, 2026
+9
Except Pete Mitchell, he only went from O-3 to O-6 in 36 years
9
Who_is_homerMar 28, 2026
+3
He was clearly a slacker!
3
tanguero81Mar 27, 2026
+20
If you think that's what believing in someone looks like, we need to talk about your childhood.
20
james2183Mar 27, 2026
+110
Eat lead, slackers! He was so menacing in his roles. Loved it.
110
DeadpoolgoesboopMar 27, 2026
+24
I loved the alternate 85 timeline Strickland!
24
Winter-Pressure-5394Mar 27, 2026
+53
If you were ever caught slacking off in the 80s, this guy would let you know. RIP.
53
PayneTrain181999Mar 28, 2026
+15
“Tardy slip for you Ms. Parker, and one for you McFly I believe that makes 4 in a row.”
15
albatrossSKYMar 27, 2026
+46
Problem child principle!
46
That_Performance_802Mar 28, 2026
+6
That's where I will remember him from
6
johnnycyberpunkMar 28, 2026
+2
THIS ONE CAN’T WAIT TILL RECESS
2
ThePreciseClimberMar 28, 2026
+1
What about Gilbert Gottfried, tho?
1
FizzyBeverageMar 28, 2026
+2
Wearing the diaper at parent night ☠️
2
AdrianCoyoteMar 27, 2026
+48
“Remember that word, son. Discipline.”
RIP James Jolkan. 💐
48
KirkAFurMar 27, 2026
+5
Beat me to it
5
FizzyBeverageMar 28, 2026
+3
Any brawlin’, it’s 15 days in the county jail!
3
tfbillcMar 27, 2026
+55
Did that guy ever have hair?
55
CicerMar 27, 2026
+22
No just like Patrick Stewart.
22
LuciferFallsMar 27, 2026
+8
I don't remember that line in the movie.
8
Dismal-Yoghurt4801Mar 28, 2026
+17
It was right before he said “To boldly go back to the future”
17
twobits9Mar 28, 2026
+11
I think you meant baldly
11
Dismal-Yoghurt4801Mar 28, 2026
+5
I stand corrected!
5
haribobossesMar 28, 2026
+2
Patrick Stewart had hair. See "I, Claudius"
Seriously though, "I, Claudius" rules
2
Buzz_Buzz_Buzz_Mar 28, 2026
+4
That was the joke in BTTF
4
Salarian_AmericanMar 28, 2026
+2
One of his ancestors did. In Back to the Future III
2
Deadfantasy3Mar 27, 2026
+20
Omg, all these years. All the times I’ve seen these movies and I just realized he plays both characters. RIP
20
Only_I_ForgiveMar 27, 2026
+22
The only man to take in Skeletor with a shotgun. Legend.
22
ShortBusScholarMar 27, 2026
+19
Fun fact, he was in the debut production of Glengarry Glen Ross when it premiered as a play along with Joe Mantegna and JT Walsh.
19
Punchable_HairMar 28, 2026
+7
The rare interesting fact among all of the Top Gun and Back to the Futute quotes, which I also enjoy.
7
zoom518Mar 27, 2026
+13
From my vague memories it seemed like he was also playing Strickland in the 80’s Masters of the Universe movie.
13
DeadpoolgoesboopMar 27, 2026
+3
Strickland the cop version.
3
yoyoyouoyouoMar 27, 2026
+13
He’s in friends of Eddie Coyle for only one scene and I love it. He’s also in Serpico but I think my personal favorite is Masters of the Universe. He blows away a bunch of Skeletor storm troopers with a sawed off.
13
menwithrobotsMar 27, 2026
+12
This man had some amazing and memorable line deliveries. RIP
12
wutangclanthug9mmMar 27, 2026
+12
“Rubber dog shit outta Hong Kong”
12
Depeche_Mood82Mar 27, 2026
+10
"You screw up just this much. You’ll be flying a cargo plane full of rubber dog shit out of Hong Kong" I have avoided rubber dog shit all my life. Thank you, sir.
10
zanemnMar 27, 2026
+18
Cause of death was writing a check, his body could not cash. RIP.
18
MatmanreturnsMar 27, 2026
+7
Jesus, didn’t that guy ever have hair?
7
helen269Mar 27, 2026
+6
He never did.
He never will.
6
LettuceCMar 27, 2026
+14
I guess I'll have to tell him about the MiG some other time.
14
SpaghettiNCoffeeMar 27, 2026
+5
RIP Strickland. We will all try not to be slackers
5
ahf95Mar 28, 2026
+5
James Tolkan? As in James R. R. Tolkan? I didn’t know he was in Back to the Future or Top Gun, but I loved Lord of the Rings.
5
fart_fig_newtonMar 27, 2026
+5
Just watched this slacker the other day in Masters of the Universe. Reaching 94 is a hell of a milestone, RIP.
5
HappHazzard31Mar 27, 2026
+3
Also in the Masters of the Universe movie. RIP.
3
Mundane-Dare-2980Mar 27, 2026
+5
Also the original Dave Moss in Glengarry, no? Or one of the first. Perfect casting.
5
GrizknizMar 27, 2026
+5
Dude was in a ton of movies from my childhood
5
MabvllMar 27, 2026
+3
He's gone off to fly that cargo plane full of rubber dogshit out of Hong Kong into the great beyond.
3
Rufus_XSarsaparillaMar 27, 2026
+5
Dang, I loved him in A Nero Wolfe Mystery....
5
whittlingcanbefatalMar 28, 2026
+2
So many different roles and brilliant performances!
2
DukeRaoul123Mar 27, 2026
+3
I remember it was odd seeing him with hair in The Friends of Eddie Coyle.
3
Sorry_Shoulder1607Mar 27, 2026
+3
One of my fave small parts of his was as a judge in the film 'Family Business'. Connery calls him a bald-headed prick at his sentencing.
3
HiawathaSM2Mar 27, 2026
+3
Watched Problem Child 2 allot growing up. Always on tv. RIP Mr. Thorn.
3
NYtoJersMar 27, 2026
+3
Eat Lead slackers!
3
JohnnyWeaponMar 27, 2026
+3
Absolute legend of character actors.
3
tangcameoMar 27, 2026
+3
I was always hoping he and Donald Pleasance would play brothers from another mother in some movie.
3
IceCoughyMar 27, 2026
+3
Living to that age, anything but a slacker!
3
just_say_maybeMar 27, 2026
+4
RIP Detective Lubic 🙏🙏
4
gold167Mar 27, 2026
+4
RIP 🪦 what a great age 🙏🏾
4
EctoRiddlerMar 27, 2026
+2
Damn!
2
Stripped-ThiefMar 27, 2026
+2
omg he was such an iconic part of my childhood movies 😭 that "you're a slacker mcfly!" scene lives rent free in my head.
2
Fusion_4_FredyMar 27, 2026
+2
Strickland!
2
Turbulent_Quality451Mar 27, 2026
+2
bigger than life actor, sad to hear. he added so much to those classics, R.I.P.
2
noaffectsMar 27, 2026
+2
Rest in Peace. He was in some of my favorite movies ever
2
OohDeLaLiMar 27, 2026
+2
Not gonna lie, I thought the poor man had passed away a while ago. He was great in other classics like D*** Tracy too. May he slack in peace.
2
mlee117379Mar 27, 2026
+2
RIP
2
Archie204Mar 27, 2026
+2
94, just a kid
2
Archie204Mar 27, 2026
+2
You know, you've got a real attitude problem Maverick. You're a slacker! You remind me of your father when he served here, he was slacker too. I noticed your name is on the roster for the Top Gun auditions today. Why even bother, Maverick? You don't have a chance. You're too much like your old man. No Mitchell ever amounted to anything in the history of US Navy!
2
RoughTangelo6766Mar 27, 2026
+2
nobody takes potshots at lubic!
2
firedrakesMar 27, 2026
+2
meet him years ago,. very nice dude and a whole person when fans meet him to!
2
TPE247LifeMar 27, 2026
+2
That guy looked 94 in '94.
2
cornellartworksMar 27, 2026
+2
Bullshit 10 minutes, this thing will be over in two minutes. GET ON IT.
2
Interesting-Risk6446Mar 27, 2026
+2
RIP Legend.
2
OldmannorrisioMar 27, 2026
+2
I loved that bald homie, rip
2
vcjr78Mar 28, 2026
+2
And you, a******, you don’t deserve to be here!
Thank you sir!
2
cadcamm99Mar 28, 2026
+2
You remember one thing, you screw just this much, you’ll be flying a cargo plane full of rubber dog shit jet out of Hong Kong
2
DayzlikethisMar 28, 2026
+2
he made me afraid of bald people when I was younger.
2
DoctorEnnMar 28, 2026
+2
He was also a regular in the lesser-known but wonderful *Nero Wolfe* adaptations starring Maury Chaykin.
2
clarkejoseph49Mar 28, 2026
+2
He’s about to kick the slackers out of Heaven now.
2
tiffyp_01Mar 28, 2026
+2
Just a few weeks ago I was watching Masters Of The Universe and I really enjoyed his role as the bizarrely antagonistic yet extremely helpful detective. He constantly delivers lines like "Sure, I'll help you out. How about we go for a little ride?" like he's being sarcastic and he's going to hinder the heroes by throwing them in jail, but he's actually being sincere and just takes them where they need to go. Also he's the only character to even get an arc in that movie for some reason...?
Anyway, he was a fantastic actor and at 94 I'm sure he lived a very full life. May he rest in peace
2
FrankyRollinsMar 28, 2026
+1
Awwww he was in all my favourite movies as a kid. Masters of the Universe anyone?! He was a cop on earth but when skeletor was destroyed he found a hot woman on Eternia and stayed there haha! I’ll always remember that. RIP James.
1
CrispyHoneyBeefMar 27, 2026
+2
It’s sad when they go young like that
2
ant-farm-keyboardMar 27, 2026
+1
“I know the sound of sweet Lady Liberty”
1
Creative_Knowledge75Mar 27, 2026
+1
Not Principal Strickland! 😢
1
TheDawiWhispererMar 27, 2026
+1
No one takes potshots at Lubik!
1
Unusual_Resident_784Mar 27, 2026
+1
Was good to see him pop up in Bone Tomahawk alongside fellows 80's movie royalty Sean Young and Jamison Newlander in 2015. Top Gun, Back To The Future, Masters of the Universe and Wolfen in which surprisingly he did have hair but not much.
1
MetaNemesisMar 27, 2026
+1
I remember him mostly from Back to the Future and Masters of the Universe.
1
obeythedMar 27, 2026
+1
Loved him in Masters of the Universe, RIP
1
SymynMar 27, 2026
+1
He was excellent as the wrestling coach on The Wonder Years.
"Some kids have got what it takes, others just make excuses."
1
GirthEE75Mar 27, 2026
+1
I still remember him wanting to put people on a stick in that old unfrozen caveman movie, Iceman. Only saw it once in the theater as a kid, but still remember that guy he played.
1
CrimsonGear80Mar 27, 2026
+1
did he ever have hair?
RIP
1
TouristOpentotravelMar 27, 2026
+1
Slacker.
1
truckturner5164Mar 27, 2026
+1
The second best thing about Masters of the Universe (behind Frank Langella), but I'll always remember him for playing Kevin's wrestling coach in one episode of The Wonder Years. RIP.
1
tearsandpain84Mar 27, 2026
+1
Murdered.
1
monty_kurnsMar 27, 2026
+1
If you haven’t seen the Miami Vice episode “Amen, Send Money” with him and Brian Dennehy as rival televangelists, do yourself a favor and watch it. Both were fantastic in it.
1
kwan2Mar 27, 2026
+1
I'm going to send you up against the best.
1
DustieBottomsMar 27, 2026
+1
You don't own that plane, the tax payers do! Son, your ego is writing checks your body can't cash!!!
1
MMachine17Mar 27, 2026
+1
Thank you, James Tolkan, for preventing slackers. May you rest in peace.
197 Comments