Biff Family

A dynasty of bullies spanning three centuries.

The Tannen family serves as the primary antagonistic force across the Back to the Future franchise, defined by a multi-generational legacy of bullying and abuse. At its center is Biff Howard Tannen, portrayed by Thomas F. Wilson, who acts as the main villain in the first two films. He harasses George McFly and manages to alter history in the second film, when his aged self steals Doc Brown's time machine to give his teenage self a sports almanac. The family represents a persistent threat that shifts with the timeline, ranging from high school bullies to corrupt rulers.

Quick Facts

Primary antagonist: Biff Tannen

Lore & Background

Biff Tannen comes from a long line of bullies in Hill Valley who have consistently harassed members of the McFly family. In 1955, George McFly has no friends for support and is targeted by Biff and his gang. In the 1985 that follows Marty's trip to 1955, Biff runs a door-to-door car-waxing service. However, in the alternate 1985 created when the aged Biff gives his teenage self a sports almanac from 2015, Biff becomes a wealthy man who murdered George McFly in 1973 on his way to receive an award, staging it as a mugging. In this dystopian timeline, Biff forces Lorraine into marriage and runs a criminal empire.

Reader's Guide

To understand the Tannen family, one must track their actions across specific time periods. In 1955, Biff is a high school bully targeting George McFly. In 2015, his grandson Griff is part of a gang with Data, Spike and Whitey. The most significant turning point occurs when the aged Biff steals Doc's time machine in 2015 and gives his teenage self a sports almanac, creating a dystopian 1985. This timeline is characterized by George's death in 1973 and Lorraine's forced marriage to Biff. Marty undoes Biff's alternate timeline by recovering the almanac in 1955 and burning it.

Did You Know?

Thomas F. Wilson portrays both Biff Tannen in the main timeline and his ancestor Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen in the Old West.
Biff's ancestor Buford Tannen was one of Hill Valley's outlaws during the 1880s.