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.
Photos
Movies (27)
Infiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who Sat by the Door
2011
Contact
1997 · Senator (uncredited)
Harvest of Fire
1996 · Sheriff Garrison
Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle
1994 · Man
MacShayne: Winner Takes All
1994 · Pete Webb
The Gifted
1993 · Jacob (Adult)
A Few Good Men
1992 · Judge Randolph
Steel Justice
1992 · Jeremiah J. Jones
Captain Ron
1992 · Magistrate
Aftermath: A Test of Love
1991 · Det. Boland
The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson
1990 · Wendell Smith
Narrow Margin
1990 · Martin Larner
Fire Birds
1990 · General Olcott
The George McKenna Story
1988 · Mr. McKenna
Desperate
1987 · Wiggee
Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins
1985 · Conn MacCleary
The White Lions
1981 · Aniel
Body Heat
1981 · Oscar Grace
High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane
1980 · Alonzo
The Plutonium Incident
1980 · Dr. Samuels
Americathon
1979 · Morty
Real Life
1979 · Dr. Ted Cleary
Silver Streak
1976 · Waiter (uncredited)
Two-Minute Warning
1976 · Policeman
The Spook Who Sat by the Door
1973 · Dawson
Mississippi Summer
1971
Black Cop
· Narrator
TV shows (32)
House of Frankenstein
1997
The Sentinel
1996 · Mel Wilkenson
Touched by an Angel
1994 · Waters
Chicago Hope
1994 · Rodney Helpurn
seaQuest DSV
1993 · Charles
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
1993 · General Zeitlin
Martin
1992 · Dr. Cliff Waters
Law & Order
1990 · Congressman Ronald Eaton
Tales from the Crypt
1989 · Harry
Jake and the Fatman
1987
21 Jump Street
1987 · George Messiah
Amazing Stories
1985 · Prof. Bertram Carver
Hollywood Beat
1985 · Walker
Moonlighting
1985 · Dr. Nealy
Punky Brewster
1984
Hardcastle and McCormick
1983 · Vic Dutton
The A-Team
1983 · Judge
The New Odd Couple
1982 · Charles Walker
T. J. Hooker
1982 · Dr. Ross
Simon & Simon
1981 · Police Lt. 'Mule' Muldower - Internal Affairs
Gimme a Break!
1981
Hill Street Blues
1981 · Ozzie Cleveland (archive footage) (uncredited), Ozzie Cleveland
Hart to Hart
1979 · Mr. Pruitt
Roots: The Next Generations
1979 · President Harper
Dallas
1978 · Leo Daltry
Carter Country
1977
James at 16
1977 · Hazeltine
Quincy, M.E.
1976 · Judge Saunder MacMillan
Wonder Woman
1975 · Jazreel
The Jeffersons
1975
Good Times
1974
All in the Family
1971 · Elmo 'Black Elmo' Bridgewater