Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen

A Hill Valley outlaw from the 1880s who harasses Seamus McFly and embodies the Tannen legacy of aggression.

Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen is a notorious outlaw in Hill Valley during the 1880s, portrayed by Thomas F. Wilson alongside his descendant Biff. As one of the town's outlaws, he represents the violent origins of the Tannen family's history of bullying the McFly clan. In Back to the Future Part III, Marty McFly encounters Buford while traveling back in time, where the antagonist harasses Seamus McFly, Marty's great-great-grandfather.

Quick Facts

Role: Outlaw
First appears: Back to the Future Part III

Lore & Background

Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen is part of a long line of bullies in Hill Valley, most of whom harassed members of the McFly family. Specifically, he is identified as one of Hill Valley's outlaws during the 1880s. His presence in this era connects directly to the modern-day conflict seen in the first two films, where Biff Tannen, his descendant, continues the tradition of harassment against George and Marty McFly. While Seamus McFly is harassed by Buford, he differs from his descendants in how he handles it. This generational link highlights the persistent nature of the antagonism within the franchise's timeline.

Reader's Guide

Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen appears strictly as a historical figure in the 1880s timeline within Back to the Future Part III. He is portrayed by Thomas F. Wilson, who also plays his descendants Biff and Griff Tannen. The character serves as the physical manifestation of the Tannen family's bullying legacy during Marty's journey to the past.