Lorraine McFly

Marty's mother, who as a teenager in 1955 becomes infatuated with her own future son.

Lorraine McFly, née Baines (portrayed by Lea Thompson, voiced by Aimee Miles in Back to the Future: The Game), is married to George McFly and the mother of Marty, Linda and Dave. She is the eldest child of Sam (George DiCenzo) and Stella (Frances Lee McCain) Baines, with younger siblings Milton (Jason Hervey) and Sally (Maia Brewton). In Back to the Future, Lorraine is initially portrayed in 1985 as middle-aged, out of shape, and unhappy. In 1955, she became infatuated by Marty who was accidentally hit by her father with a car, this was in due part to Marty saving George, almost altering the timeline.

Quick Facts

First appears

Back to the Future (1985)

Spouse

George McFly

Children

Marty
Linda
Dave

Lore & Background

After Marty changes the timeline and helps George gain his confidence and self-esteem, she is shown to be fit and happily married to George in 1985. In Part II, Lorraine is still happily married to George in 2015 but they are constantly disappointed in Marty for giving in to peer pressures that make his life difficult. In the alternate 1985 timeline, George McFly is murdered by Biff Tannen in 1973, making Lorraine a widow who is then forced into marriage with Biff Tannen.

Reader's Guide

Lorraine McFly serves as the trilogy's emotional barometer, embodying both the suffocating gender roles of the 1950s and the liberating power of self-actualization. Her narrative arc transcends that of a mere plot device; she is the human cost of time travel, illustrating how external forces can dismantle a life, and how internal courage can rebuild it. While Marty drives the action, Lorraine provides the stakes: her happiness is the ultimate metric by which the timeline's success is measured.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Lorraine's children?

She raises three offspring with her husband George McFly, specifically Marty, Linda, and Dave. These siblings form the primary family unit living in Hill Valley during the events of the films.

Does Lorraine appear in Back to the Future Part II?

Yes, she appears as an elderly woman in 2015 alongside her husband George during Marty and Doc's visit to the future. Her presence confirms that their relationship remained strong after the timeline was corrected in the first film.