J.A. Preston
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
Credits
- 2011 · Infiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who Sat by the Door as
- 1997 · House of Frankenstein as
- 1997 · Contact as Senator (uncredited)
- 1996 · Harvest of Fire as Sheriff Garrison
- 1996 · The Sentinel as Mel Wilkenson
- 1994 · Touched by an Angel as Waters
- 1994 · Chicago Hope as
- 1994 · Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle as Man
- 1994 · MacShayne: Winner Takes All as Pete Webb
- 1993 · Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman as
- 1993 · seaQuest DSV as Charles
- 1993 · The Gifted as Jacob (Adult)
- 1992 · A Few Good Men as Judge Randolph
- 1992 · Steel Justice as Jeremiah J. Jones
- 1992 · Captain Ron as Magistrate
- 1992 · Martin as
- 1991 · Aftermath: A Test of Love as Det. Boland
- 1990 · The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson as Wendell Smith
- 1990 · Narrow Margin as Martin Larner
- 1990 · Law & Order as Congressman Ronald Eaton
- 1990 · Fire Birds as General Olcott
- 1989 · Tales from the Crypt as Harry
- 1988 · The George McKenna Story as Mr. McKenna
- 1987 · Desperate as Wiggee
- 1987 · 21 Jump Street as Principal George Messiah
- 1985 · Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins as Conn MacCleary
- 1985 · Amazing Stories as Prof. Bertram Carver
- 1985 · Moonlighting as Dr. Nealy
- 1984 · Punky Brewster as
- 1983 · The A-Team as Judge
- 1982 · The New Odd Couple as Charles Walker
- 1981 · The White Lions as Aniel
- 1981 · Gimme a Break! as
- 1981 · Body Heat as Oscar Grace
- 1981 · Hill Street Blues as Ozzie Cleveland (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1980 · High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane as Alonzo
- 1980 · The Plutonium Incident as Dr. Samuels
- 1979 · Hart to Hart as Mr. Pruitt
- 1979 · Real Life as Dr. Ted Cleary
- 1978 · Dallas as Leo Daltry
- 1977 · Carter Country as
- 1977 · James at 16 as Hazeltine
- 1976 · Silver Streak as Waiter (uncredited)
- 1976 · Two-Minute Warning as Policeman
- 1975 · Wonder Woman as Jazreel
- 1975 · The Jeffersons as
- 1974 · Good Times as
- 1973 · The Spook Who Sat by the Door as Dawson
- 1971 · All in the Family as Elmo 'Black Elmo' Bridgewater
- Future · Black Cop as Narrator