J.A. Preston
Acting • Born 1932-11-13
Biography
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 credits
Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins
Movie • 1985
Conn MacCleary
Narrow Margin
Movie • 1990
Martin Larner
MacShayne: Winner Takes All
Movie • 1994
Pete Webb
Body Heat
Movie • 1981
Oscar Grace
Fire Birds
Movie • 1990
General Olcott
High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane
Movie • 1980
Alonzo
Aftermath: A Test of Love
Movie • 1991
Det. Boland
The White Lions
Movie • 1981
Aniel
Steel Justice
Movie • 1992
Jeremiah J. Jones
Desperate
Movie • 1987
Wiggee
Harvest of Fire
Movie • 1996
Sheriff Garrison
The Plutonium Incident
Movie • 1980
Dr. Samuels
Silver Streak
Movie • 1976
Waiter (uncredited)
The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson
Movie • 1990
Wendell Smith
A Few Good Men
Movie • 1992
Judge Randolph
Contact
Movie • 1997
Senator (uncredited)
Captain Ron
Movie • 1992
Magistrate
The Gifted
Movie • 1993
Jacob (Adult)
Black Cop
Movie
Narrator
The Spook Who Sat by the Door
Movie • 1973
Dawson
Two-Minute Warning
Movie • 1976
Policeman
Infiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who Sat by the Door
Movie • 2011
Real Life
Movie • 1979
Dr. Ted Cleary
Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle
Movie • 1994
Man
The George McKenna Story
Movie • 1988
Mr. McKenna
Americathon
Movie • 1979
Morty
Good Times
TV • 1974
Martin
TV • 1992
Dr. Cliff Waters
seaQuest DSV
TV • 1993
Charles
All in the Family
TV • 1971
Elmo 'Black Elmo' Bridgewater
The Jeffersons
TV • 1975
Punky Brewster
TV • 1984
Wonder Woman
TV • 1975
Jazreel
Gimme a Break!
TV • 1981
Dallas
TV • 1978
Leo Daltry
Chicago Hope
TV • 1994
Rodney Helpurn
Carter Country
TV • 1977
Amazing Stories
TV • 1985
Prof. Bertram Carver
Hart to Hart
TV • 1979
Mr. Pruitt
Moonlighting
TV • 1985
Dr. Nealy
The A-Team
TV • 1983
Judge
Tales from the Crypt
TV • 1989
Harry
21 Jump Street
TV • 1987
George Messiah
House of Frankenstein
TV • 1997
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
TV • 1993
General Zeitlin
The Sentinel
TV • 1996
Mel Wilkenson
Hill Street Blues
TV • 1981
Ozzie Cleveland (archive footage) (uncredited)
Law & Order
TV • 1990
Congressman Ronald Eaton
Touched by an Angel
TV • 1994
Waters
The New Odd Couple
TV • 1982
Charles Walker
James at 16
TV • 1977
Hazeltine
Hardcastle and McCormick
TV • 1983
Vic Dutton
Hill Street Blues
TV • 1981
Ozzie Cleveland
Simon & Simon
TV • 1981
Police Lt. 'Mule' Muldower - Internal Affairs
T. J. Hooker
TV • 1982
Dr. Ross
Quincy, M.E.
TV • 1976
Judge Saunder MacMillan
Hollywood Beat
TV • 1985
Walker
Roots: The Next Generations
TV • 1979
President Harper
Jake and the Fatman
TV • 1987