J.A. Preston
Born: 1932-11-13 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
James Allen Preston Sr. (born November 13, 1932) is an American actor. Preston is best known for his role as Ozzie Cleveland on the NBC primetime television series Hill Street Blues which originally aired from 1981 until 1987. Preston was born November 13 (1932) in Washington, D.C. In addition to his role on Hill Street Blues, Preston is also known for his roles as Leo Daltry in Dallas, Richard Matthews in Santa Barbara, court-martial judge Col. J. A. Randolph, USMC in the 1992 film A Few Good Men, and the minor but important role of a USAF Major General in Air Force One (1997). He was a series regular in the short-lived CBS sitcom All's Fair which ran just one season (1976-77). In it he played an assistant to conservative newspaper columnist Richard Barrington (played by Richard Crenna). Preston also appeared on the NBC television series The A-Team as a judge (Col. Thomas Milo) presiding over a military tribunal convened to try the A-Team. He also appeared in 3 episodes of Martin as Gina’s (Tisha Campbell-Martin) father Dr. Cliff Waters.
Filmography
1997
- Contact as Senator (uncredited)
- House of Frankenstein
1996
- The Sentinel as Mel Wilkenson
- Harvest of Fire as Sheriff Garrison
1994
- Chicago Hope
- Touched by an Angel as Waters
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle as Man
- MacShayne: Winner Takes All as Pete Webb
1993
- seaQuest DSV as Charles
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman as General Zeitlin
- The Gifted as Jacob (Adult)
1992
- Martin as Dr. Cliff Waters
- A Few Good Men as Judge Randolph
- Captain Ron as Magistrate
- Steel Justice as Jeremiah J. Jones
1991
- Aftermath: A Test of Love as Det. Boland
1990
- Law & Order as Congressman Ronald Eaton
- Fire Birds as General Olcott
- Narrow Margin as Martin Larner
- The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson as Wendell Smith
1989
- Tales from the Crypt as Harry
1988
- The George McKenna Story as Mr. McKenna
1987
- 21 Jump Street as Principal George Messiah
- Desperate as Wiggee
1985
- Moonlighting as Dr. Nealy
- Amazing Stories as Prof. Bertram Carver
- Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins as Conn MacCleary
- Hollywood Beat as Walker
1984
1983
- The A-Team as Judge
- Hardcastle and McCormick as Vic Dutton
1982
- T. J. Hooker as Dr. Ross
- The New Odd Couple as Charles Walker
1981
- Hill Street Blues as Ozzie Cleveland (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Simon & Simon as Police Lt. 'Mule' Muldower - Internal Affairs
- Gimme a Break!
- Body Heat as Oscar Grace
- The White Lions as Aniel
1980
- High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane as Alonzo
- The Plutonium Incident as Dr. Samuels
1979
- Hart to Hart as Mr. Pruitt
- Roots: The Next Generations as President Harper
- Americathon as Morty
- Real Life as Dr. Ted Cleary
1978
- Dallas as Leo Daltry
1977
- James at 16 as Hazeltine
- Carter Country
1976
- Quincy, M.E. as Judge Saunder MacMillan
- Silver Streak as Waiter (uncredited)
- Two-Minute Warning as Policeman
1975
- The Jeffersons
- Wonder Woman as Jazreel
1974
1973
- The Spook Who Sat by the Door as Dawson
1971
- All in the Family as Elmo 'Black Elmo' Bridgewater