J.A. Preston

Acting

J.A. Preston

Born November 13, 1932Washington, District of Columbia, USA59 credits

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

Filmography

Contact
1997Contact
as Senator (uncredited)Movie
Harvest of Fire
1996Harvest of Fire
as Sheriff GarrisonMovie
The Sentinel
1996The Sentinel
as Mel WilkensonTV
Chicago Hope
1994Chicago Hope
as Rodney HelpurnTV
seaQuest DSV
1993seaQuest DSV
as CharlesTV
T
1993The Gifted
as Jacob (Adult)Movie
A Few Good Men
1992A Few Good Men
as Judge RandolphMovie
Steel Justice
1992Steel Justice
as Jeremiah J. JonesMovie
Captain Ron
1992Captain Ron
as MagistrateMovie
Martin
1992Martin
as Dr. Cliff WatersTV
Narrow Margin
1990Narrow Margin
as Martin LarnerMovie
Law & Order
1990Law & Order
as Congressman Ronald EatonTV
Fire Birds
1990Fire Birds
as General OlcottMovie
The George McKenna Story
1988The George McKenna Story
as Mr. McKennaMovie
Desperate
1987Desperate
as WiggeeMovie
21 Jump Street
198721 Jump Street
as George MessiahTV
Amazing Stories
1985Amazing Stories
as Prof. Bertram CarverTV
Moonlighting
1985Moonlighting
as Dr. NealyTV
The A-Team
1983The A-Team
as JudgeTV
The New Odd Couple
1982The New Odd Couple
as Charles WalkerTV
T. J. Hooker
1982T. J. Hooker
as Dr. RossTV
The White Lions
1981The White Lions
as AnielMovie
Simon & Simon
1981Simon & Simon
as Police Lt. 'Mule' Muldower - Internal AffairsTV
Body Heat
1981Body Heat
as Oscar GraceMovie
Hill Street Blues
1981Hill Street Blues
as Ozzie Cleveland (archive footage) (uncredited)TV
The Plutonium Incident
1980The Plutonium Incident
as Dr. SamuelsMovie
Hart to Hart
1979Hart to Hart
as Mr. PruittTV
Americathon
1979Americathon
as MortyMovie
Real Life
1979Real Life
as Dr. Ted ClearyMovie
Roots: The Next Generations
1979Roots: The Next Generations
as President HarperTV
Dallas
1978Dallas
as Leo DaltryTV
James at 16
1977James at 16
as HazeltineTV
Silver Streak
1976Silver Streak
as Waiter (uncredited)Movie
Two-Minute Warning
1976Two-Minute Warning
as PolicemanMovie
Quincy, M.E.
1976Quincy, M.E.
as Judge Saunder MacMillanTV
Wonder Woman
1975Wonder Woman
as JazreelTV
All in the Family
1971All in the Family
as Elmo 'Black Elmo' BridgewaterTV
B
Black Cop
as NarratorMovie