Acting · Washington, District of Columbia, USA · Born November 13, 1932
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.
MovieInfiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who Sat by the Door
2011
TVHouse of Frankenstein
1997
MovieContact
1997
as Senator (uncredited)
MovieHarvest of Fire
1996
as Sheriff Garrison
TVThe Sentinel
1996
as Mel Wilkenson
TVTouched by an Angel
1994
as Waters
TVChicago Hope
1994
as Rodney Helpurn
MoviePerry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle
1994
as Man
MovieMacShayne: Winner Takes All
1994
as Pete Webb
TVseaQuest DSV
1993
as Charles
TVLois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
1993
as General Zeitlin
The Gifted
1993
as Jacob (Adult)
MovieA Few Good Men
1992
as Judge Randolph
MovieSteel Justice
1992
as Jeremiah J. Jones
MovieCaptain Ron
1992
as Magistrate
TVMartin
1992
as Dr. Cliff Waters
MovieAftermath: A Test of Love
1991
as Det. Boland
MovieThe Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson
1990
as Wendell Smith
MovieNarrow Margin
1990
as Martin Larner
TVLaw & Order
1990
as Congressman Ronald Eaton
MovieFire Birds
1990
as General Olcott
TVTales from the Crypt
1989
as Harry
MovieThe George McKenna Story
1988
as Mr. McKenna
TVJake and the Fatman
1987
MovieDesperate
1987
as Wiggee
TV21 Jump Street
1987
as George Messiah
MovieRemo Williams: The Adventure Begins
1985
as Conn MacCleary
TVAmazing Stories
1985
as Prof. Bertram Carver
TVHollywood Beat
1985
as Walker
TVMoonlighting
1985
as Dr. Nealy
TVPunky Brewster
1984
TVHardcastle and McCormick
1983
as Vic Dutton
TVThe A-Team
1983
as Judge
TVThe New Odd Couple
1982
as Charles Walker
TVT. J. Hooker
1982
as Dr. Ross
MovieThe White Lions
1981
as Aniel
TVSimon & Simon
1981
as Police Lt. 'Mule' Muldower - Internal Affairs
TVGimme a Break!
1981
MovieBody Heat
1981
as Oscar Grace
TVHill Street Blues
1981
as Ozzie Cleveland (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieHigh Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane
1980
as Alonzo
MovieThe Plutonium Incident
1980
as Dr. Samuels
TVHart to Hart
1979
as Mr. Pruitt
MovieAmericathon
1979
as Morty
MovieReal Life
1979
as Dr. Ted Cleary
TVRoots: The Next Generations
1979
as President Harper
TVDallas
1978
as Leo Daltry
TVCarter Country
1977
TVJames at 16
1977
as Hazeltine
MovieSilver Streak
1976
as Waiter (uncredited)
MovieTwo-Minute Warning
1976
as Policeman
TVQuincy, M.E.
1976
as Judge Saunder MacMillan
TVWonder Woman
1975
as Jazreel
TVThe Jeffersons
1975
TVGood Times
1974
MovieThe Spook Who Sat by the Door
1973
as Dawson
Mississippi Summer
1971
TVAll in the Family
1971
as Elmo 'Black Elmo' Bridgewater
Black Cop
as Narrator
