George McFly

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Lore & Background

The novelization of the film expounds on George's history of weakness, describing two incidents in which he is unable to stand up for himself. In 1955, in contrast with Marty, George did not have any friends for support and was targeted not only by Biff and his gang but also by other kids in school. He has a penchant for science fiction and writes some of his own but never allows himself to share them with anyone for fear of rejection. In 1955, Marty suggested George play the hero and save Lorraine at the dance while Marty pretends to be antagonistic towards her. Instead, he winds up witnessing Biff attempt to rape her, and rather than back down, he stood up to him. Upon seeing Biff physically shove Lorraine to the ground after she tries to get Biff off George, he gets the courage to stand up to Biff, knocking him unconscious. As a result, he and Lorraine fall in love, and George becomes popular in school for defeating Biff in a fight. During the dance, someone decided to steal Lorraine away in the middle of the song, so George showed that same courage in reclaiming his date, resulting in the kiss he and Lorraine shared. In the future, they are both married, with George working as a college professor and as a successful writer, while Biff runs a door-to-door car-waxing service. In the dystopian timeline in Part II, Biff murdered George in 1973 on his way to receive an award and then staged the death as a mugging.

In Their Own Story

George McFly's life pivots on a single rainy night in 1955. After years of being Biff Tannen's punching bag, he witnesses Biff attempt to rape Lorraine Baines. Seeing Biff shove her to the ground, George finds the courage to knock Biff unconscious. That act wins Lorraine's love, makes him popular at school, and sets him on a path to becoming a college professor and successful writer. In the dystopian timeline of Part II, Biff murders George in 1973 on his way to receive an award, staging it as a mugging.

Reader's Guide

George McFly is the father of Marty, Linda, and Dave, and the husband of Lorraine. His defining moment is standing up to Biff Tannen in 1955, which transforms him from a bullied weakling into a confident man. In the revised 1985, he is a college professor and successful science fiction author. In the alternate 1985, he is murdered by Biff in 1973.

Did You Know?

• George McFly was portrayed by Crispin Glover in Back to the Future, and by Jeffrey Weissman in Parts II and III.
• In the dystopian timeline of Part II, Biff Tannen murdered George in 1973 on his way to receive an award.
• The novelization of the first film describes two specific incidents where George was unable to stand up for himself.
• George writes science fiction stories but never shares them with anyone for fear of rejection.
• After defeating Biff in a fight in 1955, George becomes popular at school and wins Lorraine's love.