J.A. Preston
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.
Known For
Law & Order
The A-Team
Dallas
Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Quincy, M.E.
Chicago Hope
All Movies (27)
- Infiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who Sat by the Door2011
- Contact1997 · as Senator (uncredited)
- Harvest of Fire1996 · as Sheriff Garrison
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle1994 · as Man
- MacShayne: Winner Takes All1994 · as Pete Webb
- The Gifted1993 · as Jacob (Adult)
- A Few Good Men1992 · as Judge Randolph
- Steel Justice1992 · as Jeremiah J. Jones
- Captain Ron1992 · as Magistrate
- Aftermath: A Test of Love1991 · as Det. Boland
- The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson1990 · as Wendell Smith
- Narrow Margin1990 · as Martin Larner
- Fire Birds1990 · as General Olcott
- The George McKenna Story1988 · as Mr. McKenna
- Desperate1987 · as Wiggee
- Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins1985 · as Conn MacCleary
- The White Lions1981 · as Aniel
- Body Heat1981 · as Oscar Grace
- High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane1980 · as Alonzo
- The Plutonium Incident1980 · as Dr. Samuels
- Americathon1979 · as Morty
- Real Life1979 · as Dr. Ted Cleary
- Silver Streak1976 · as Waiter (uncredited)
- Two-Minute Warning1976 · as Policeman
- The Spook Who Sat by the Door1973 · as Dawson
- Mississippi Summer1971
- Black Cop— · as Narrator
All TV Shows (33)
- House of Frankenstein1997
- The Sentinel1996 · as Mel Wilkenson
- Touched by an Angel1994 · as Waters
- Chicago Hope1994 · as Rodney Helpurn
- seaQuest DSV1993 · as Charles
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman1993 · as General Zeitlin
- Martin1992 · as Dr. Cliff Waters
- Law & Order1990 · as Congressman Ronald Eaton
- Tales from the Crypt1989 · as Harry
- Jake and the Fatman1987
- 21 Jump Street1987 · as George Messiah
- Amazing Stories1985 · as Prof. Bertram Carver
- Hollywood Beat1985 · as Walker
- Moonlighting1985 · as Dr. Nealy
- Punky Brewster1984
- Hardcastle and McCormick1983 · as Vic Dutton
- The A-Team1983 · as Judge
- The New Odd Couple1982 · as Charles Walker
- T. J. Hooker1982 · as Dr. Ross
- Simon & Simon1981 · as Police Lt. 'Mule' Muldower - Internal Affairs
- Gimme a Break!1981
- Hill Street Blues1981 · as Ozzie Cleveland (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Hill Street Blues1981 · as Ozzie Cleveland
- Hart to Hart1979 · as Mr. Pruitt
- Roots: The Next Generations1979 · as President Harper
- Dallas1978 · as Leo Daltry
- Carter Country1977
- James at 161977 · as Hazeltine
- Quincy, M.E.1976 · as Judge Saunder MacMillan
- Wonder Woman1975 · as Jazreel
- The Jeffersons1975
- Good Times1974
- All in the Family1971 · as Elmo 'Black Elmo' Bridgewater