J. A. Preston
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J. A. Preston | |
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Preston as Walter Ingles onGood Times,circa 1976 | |
Born | James Allen Preston November 13, 1932 Washington, D.C.,U.S. |
Education | North Carolina College |
Years active | 1968–2006 |
Known for | Ozzie Cleveland –Hill Street Blues |
Spouse |
Merilyn Alsop
(m.1957;div.1972) |
Children | 3 |
James Allen Preston[1](born November 13, 1932) is a retiredAmericanactor. Preston is best known for portraying Colonel Randolph in the movieA Few Good Menand for his role as Ozzie Cleveland on the NBC prime-time television seriesHill Street Blues.He played Conn MacCleary in the movieRemo Williams: The Adventure Begins.
Biography
[edit]Life and career
[edit]Preston was born November 13, 1932, inWashington, D.C.[2]In addition to his role onHill Street Blues,Preston is also known for his roles as Leo Daltry inDallas,Richard Matthews inSanta Barbara,court-martialjudge Col. J. A. Randolph, USMC in the 1992 filmA Few Good Men,and the minor but important role of a USAFmajor generalinAir Force One(1997). He was a series regular in the short-lived CBS sitcomAll's Fairwhich 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 seriesThe A-Teamas a judge (Col. Thomas Milo) presiding over amilitary tribunalconvened to try the A-Team. He appeared in the seriesGood Timesin the late 1975 episode, "Willona's Dilemma". He also appeared in three episodes ofMartinas Gina's (Tisha Campbell-Martin) father Dr. Cliff Waters. He was also on the Season 1, Episode 11 ofLaw & Order,"Out of the Half-Light" as Congressman Ronald Eaton.
Personal life
[edit]Preston was married to Merilyn Alsop from 1957 until divorcing in 1972. Together, Preston and Alsop had three children before their divorce: Scott, Dominique, and James Preston.[1]
Selected filmography
[edit]- 1971Mississippi Summer
- 1973The Spook Who Sat by the Dooras Dawson
- 1976Two-Minute Warningas Policeman #1
- 1976Silver Streakas The Waiter (uncredited)
- 1979Real Lifeas Dr. Ted Cleary
- 1979Roots: The Next Generationsas College President Harper
- 1979Americathonas Morty
- 1980High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kaneas Alonzo
- 1981Body Heatas Detective Oscar Grace
- 1981The White Lionsas Aniel
- 1985Remo Williams: The Adventure Beginsas CURE Agent Conn "Mac" MacCleary
- 1990Fire Birdsas General Olcott
- 1990Narrow Marginas Chief Deputy District Attorney Martin Larner
- 1992Captain Ronas Magistrate
- 1992A Few Good Menas Judge Colonel Julius Alexander Randolph
- 1997Contactas Senator (uncredited)
- 1997Air Force Oneas USAFMajor GeneralSamuel Greely (uncredited)
- 2006Sweet Deadly Dreamsas Mott
Television
[edit]- 1975All in the Familyas "Black Elmo" Bridgewater (Season 6, Episode 3 Archie, the Donor)
- 1975Good Timesas Walter Ingles (Season 3, Episode 10)
- 1978Wonder Womanas Jazreel (Season 2/Episode 15)
- 1979Hart to Hartas Lab Director (Season 1)
- 1982Little House on the Prairieas Sam Terhune (Season 8/Episode 16)
- 1984Punky Brewsteras Judge William J. Murphy (Season 1/Episode 3)
- 1986Moonlightingas Dr. Nealy (Season 2/Episode 13)
- 1986The A-Teamas the judge - Col. Thomas Mylowe (season 5/episode 2)
- 1988Hunteras Rhodes (Season 5)
- 1990Law & Orderas Congressman Ronald Eaton (Season 1/Episode 11)
- 1991Father Dowling Mysteriesas Lt. Peter Johnson (Season 3/Episode 22)
- 1992Jake and the Fatmanas Mickey Daytona
- 1992Martin– played the recurring part of Dr. Cliff Waters in three episodes: "The Parents Are Coming" in Season 1 (#7), "Thanks for Nothing"in Season 2 (#13) and also" Wedding Bell Blues "in Season 3 (#26)
- 1992Tales from the Cryptas Harry (Season 4/Episode 14)
- 1993The Jackie Thomas Showas Mr. Watson (Season 1/Episode 11)
- 1994Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Supermanas General Zeitlin (Season 1/Episode 12)
- 1994Empty Nestas Roland (Season 6/Episode 23)
- 1995SeaQuest 2032as Charles Ford (Season 2/Episode 11)
- 1996Chicago Hopeas Judge Rodney Helpurn
- 1997The Sentinelas Mel Wilkenson (Season 2/Episode 16)
- 1997Cluelessas Benjamin Davenport (Season 3/Episode 62)
Theatre
[edit]- Henry IV, Part 1–Delacorte Theater(1968)
- Henry IV, Part 2–Delacorte Theater(1968)
- Freeman–American Place Theatre(1973)[3]
References
[edit]- ^ab"Merilyn Alsop Preston Taylor: Obituary".The Capital.Annapolis, Maryland. May 1, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on November 5, 2017.RetrievedNovember 5,2017.
- ^"J. A. Preston Biography ((?)-)".FilmReference.RetrievedNovember 5,2017.
- ^"Search for J.A. Preston".Lortel Archives.
External links
[edit]- 1932 births
- Living people
- 20th-century African-American male actors
- 20th-century American male actors
- 21st-century African-American male actors
- 21st-century American male actors
- American male film actors
- American male stage actors
- American male television actors
- Broadway theatre people
- Male actors from Manhattan
- Male actors from Durham, North Carolina
- Male actors from Washington, D.C.
- North Carolina Central University alumni