James Tolkan
Born in Calumet, Michigan, USA — Jun 20 1931• Died Mar 26 2026
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Biography
Fiery, forceful and intimidating character actor James Tolkan 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. James Stewart Tolkan was born on June 20, 1931 in Calumet, Michigan. His father, Ralph M. Tolkan, was a cattle dealer. James attended the University of Iowa, Coe College and Eastern Arizona College. After serving a year-long stint in the United States Navy, Tolkan went to New York and studied acting with both Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler…
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James Tolkan's Credits
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Miami Vice
Mason Mather
The Equalizer
Ruger
The Wonder Years
Coach Silva
The Pretender
FBI Special Agent Korkos
Naked City
Evan Humbolt, Mail Clerk
Early Edition
Coach Philips
Hill Street Blues
Leverage
Dean Chesny
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Dr. Oates
Back to the Future
Mr. Strickland
Remington Steele
Norman Keyes
Tales from the Crypt
Sgt. McClaine ("segment "The Trap")
Nowhere Man
Commander Cyrus Quinn
Top Gun
Stinger
Back to the Future Part II
Strickland
A Nero Wolfe Mystery
Richard Wragg
Back to the Future Part III
Marshal Strickland
The Hat Squad
Mike Ragland
The Wonderful World of Disney
The Kennel Master
Cobra
Dallas Cassel
WarGames
Wigan
Masters of the Universe
Detective Lubic
Serpico
Steiger
Bone Tomahawk
Pianist
Dick Tracy
Numbers
Mary
Lester Mintz
Armed and Dangerous
Lou Brackman
Author! Author!
Lt. Glass
Love and Death
Napoleon
Wolfen
Baldy
Iceman
Maynard
The Amityville Horror
Coroner
Back in Time
Self
The River
Howard Simpson
Problem Child 2
Mr. Thron
Prince of the City
George Polito
Family Business
Judge
Made in Heaven
Mr. Bjornstead
Boiling Point
Levitt
Turk 182!
Hanley
Off Beat
Harry
Sketch Artist
Tonelli
Underworld
Dan 'Iceberg' Eagan
Hanky Panky
Conferee
Stiletto
Edwards
Heavens Fall
Thomas Knight, Sr.
Driving Me Crazy
Vince
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
The Man's contact man
They Might Be Giants
Mr. Brown
Phil Spector
Judge Fidler
True Blood
Det. Joseph Hanley
Split Decisions
Benny Pistone
Hangfire
Patch
Tales from the Future
Self
Second Sight
Coolidge
Independence
Tom Paine
Sketch Artist II: Hands That See
Tonelli
The Three Sisters
Opportunity Knocks
Sal
Little Spies
Kennel Master
7 Times Lucky
Dutch
The Case of the Hillside Stranglers
Lt. Ed Henderson
Weekend War
Dr. Alex Thompson
Question of Faith
Doctor Siegel
Looking Back to the Future
Self
Ministry of Vengeance
Colonel Freeman
Viper
William Tansey
Flanagan
Turner
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying
Agent Sterling
Love in Ambush
Agent Price
The Werewolf of Washington
Dark Glasses
Wings
Billy
Robo Warriors
Quon
Guns: A Day in the Death of America
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