
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.
Filmography (59)
MOVIEInfiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who Sat by the Door2011
TV★ 6.1House of Frankenstein1997
MOVIE★ 7.4Contact1997as Senator (uncredited)
MOVIE★ 5.8Harvest of Fire1996as Sheriff Garrison
TV★ 7.2The Sentinel1996as Mel Wilkenson
TV★ 7.2Touched by an Angel1994as Waters
TV★ 7.2Chicago Hope1994as Rodney Helpurn
MOVIE★ 7.5Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle1994as Man
MOVIE★ 5.0MacShayne: Winner Takes All1994as Pete Webb
TV★ 7.1seaQuest DSV1993as Charles
TV★ 6.9Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman1993as General Zeitlin- MOVIE★ 5.5The Gifted1993as Jacob (Adult)
MOVIE★ 7.6A Few Good Men1992as Judge Randolph
MOVIE★ 4.8Steel Justice1992as Jeremiah J. Jones
MOVIE★ 5.6Captain Ron1992as Magistrate
TV★ 7.5Martin1992as Dr. Cliff Waters
MOVIE★ 5.9Aftermath: A Test of Love1991as Det. Boland
MOVIE★ 7.2The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson1990as Wendell Smith
MOVIE★ 6.5Narrow Margin1990as Martin Larner
TV★ 7.3Law & Order1990as Congressman Ronald Eaton
MOVIE★ 5.0Fire Birds1990as General Olcott
TV★ 8.0Tales from the Crypt1989as Harry
MOVIE★ 6.3The George McKenna Story1988as Mr. McKenna
TV★ 6.2Jake and the Fatman1987
MOVIE★ 9.0Desperate1987as Wiggee
TV★ 7.321 Jump Street1987as George Messiah
MOVIE★ 6.3Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins1985as Conn MacCleary
TV★ 7.5Amazing Stories1985as Prof. Bertram Carver
TV★ 5.0Hollywood Beat1985as Walker
TV★ 7.5Moonlighting1985as Dr. Nealy
TV★ 7.3Punky Brewster1984
TV★ 6.5Hardcastle and McCormick1983as Vic Dutton
TV★ 7.5The A-Team1983as Judge
TV★ 5.8The New Odd Couple1982as Charles Walker
TV★ 6.5T. J. Hooker1982as Dr. Ross
MOVIE★ 10.0The White Lions1981as Aniel
TV★ 6.7Simon & Simon1981as Police Lt. 'Mule' Muldower - Internal Affairs
TV★ 6.7Gimme a Break!1981
MOVIE★ 7.0Body Heat1981as Oscar Grace
TV★ 7.6Hill Street Blues1981as Ozzie Cleveland (archive footage) (uncredited)
MOVIE★ 4.7High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane1980as Alonzo
MOVIE★ 6.5The Plutonium Incident1980as Dr. Samuels
TV★ 6.9Hart to Hart1979as Mr. Pruitt
MOVIE★ 3.7Americathon1979as Morty
MOVIE★ 6.6Real Life1979as Dr. Ted Cleary
TV★ 7.4Roots: The Next Generations1979as President Harper
TV★ 6.9Dallas1978as Leo Daltry
TV★ 5.8Carter Country1977
TV★ 6.8James at 161977as Hazeltine
MOVIE★ 6.7Silver Streak1976as Waiter (uncredited)
MOVIE★ 6.3Two-Minute Warning1976as Policeman
TV★ 7.5Quincy, M.E.1976as Judge Saunder MacMillan
TV★ 7.0Wonder Woman1975as Jazreel
TV★ 7.3The Jeffersons1975
TV★ 8.0Good Times1974
MOVIE★ 6.3The Spook Who Sat by the Door1973as Dawson- MOVIE★ 8.0Mississippi Summer1971
TV★ 7.8All in the Family1971as Elmo 'Black Elmo' Bridgewater- MOVIEBlack Cop—as Narrator