‘Back to the Future’ Actor Norman Alden Dies at Age 87

Veteran character actor Norman Alden, whose professional credits spanned decades and stretched from television and animation to film, passed away on July 27 of natural causes, The Hollywood Reporter writes. Alden was 87.

Calling Alden prolific undermines his massive contributions to the entertainment industry. Though he’s best known for playing tough guys in ‘Tora! Tora! Tora!’ and ‘Semi-Tough,’ he also appeared in ‘Back to the Future’ (where he played diner owner Lou), Tim Burton’s ‘Ed Wood’ (where he played a cameraman), 'They Live' and ‘Patch Adams,’ with Robin Williams.

Alden’s television credits are staggering. He had a multi-episode run on ‘Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.’ He appeared on such iconic shows as ‘Perry Mason,’ ‘Bonanza,’ ‘The Andy Griffith Show,’ ‘My Three Sons,’ ‘Hogan’s Heroes,’ ‘Dallas,’ ‘The Rockford Files’ and many, many more.

But Alden’s contributions to animated voice-work, alone, would get him a mention on ScreenCrush. For years, he lent his voice to the character of Aquaman for the ‘Super Friends’ cartoon series, acting alongside legendary vocal talents like Casey Kasam (who voiced Robin) and Danny Dark (who voiced Superman).

Alden according to THR, is survived by his children Brent and Ashley, his grandson Zooey and his life partner, Linda Thieben.