Buford Tannen

Lore & Background

Buford Tannen is one of Hill Valley's outlaws during the 1880s. He comes from a long line of bullies in Hill Valley, most of whom harassed members of the McFly family. Like his descendant Biff, Buford is portrayed by Thomas F. Wilson. He is specifically identified as one of the Tannen family members who harassed McFly family members, continuing the pattern of conflict that spans generations in Hill Valley.

In Their Own Story

In Back to the Future Part III, Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen is introduced as an outlaw in Hill Valley during the 1880s. He is part of a long line of bullies who have harassed members of the McFly family across different time periods. Like his descendant Biff Tannen, Buford shares the same actor Thomas F. Wilson, visually linking the generations of Tannen antagonists. His presence in the 1880s establishes that the Tannen family's aggression toward the McFly family has deep historical roots.

Reader's Guide

Buford Tannen serves as the 1880s iteration of the Tannen family bully, continuing a pattern of harassment against the McFly family that spans generations. As one of Hill Valley's outlaws during the 1880s, he represents the historical origin point of the Tannen-McFly conflict seen throughout the trilogy. His role in Part III establishes that the Tannen family's antagonistic relationship with the McFly family predates the events of the first two films by nearly a century.

Did You Know?

• Buford Tannen is portrayed by Thomas F. Wilson, the same actor who plays his descendant Biff Tannen.
• He is one of Hill Valley's outlaws during the 1880s.
• Buford comes from a long line of bullies in Hill Valley who harassed members of the McFly family.
• He is specifically identified as one of the Tannen family members who harassed McFly family members.