image of J.A. Preston
Birthday: Nov 13, 1932
Place of Birth: Washington, District of Columbia, USA

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
Movie Cast Year
Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins Conn MacCleary 1985
Narrow Margin Martin Larner 1990
MacShayne: Winner Takes All Pete Webb 1994
Body Heat Oscar Grace 1981
Fire Birds General Olcott 1990
High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane Alonzo 1980
Aftermath: A Test of Love Det. Boland 1991
The White Lions Aniel 1981
Steel Justice Jeremiah J. Jones 1992
Desperate Wiggee 1987
Harvest of Fire Sheriff Garrison 1996
The Plutonium Incident Dr. Samuels 1980
Silver Streak Waiter (uncredited) 1976
The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson Wendell Smith 1990
A Few Good Men Judge Randolph 1992
Contact Senator (uncredited) 1997
Captain Ron Magistrate 1992
The Gifted Jacob (Adult) 1993
Black Cop Narrator 1970
The Spook Who Sat by the Door Dawson 1973
Two-Minute Warning Policeman 1976
Infiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who Sat by the Door 2011
Real Life Dr. Ted Cleary 1979
Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle Man 1994
The George McKenna Story Mr. McKenna 1988
Series Cast Year
Good Times 1974
Martin 1992
seaQuest DSV Charles 1993
All in the Family Elmo 'Black Elmo' Bridgewater 1971
The Jeffersons 1975
Punky Brewster 1984
Wonder Woman Jazreel 1975
Gimme a Break! 1981
Dallas Leo Daltry 1978
Chicago Hope 1994
Carter Country 1977
Amazing Stories Prof. Bertram Carver 1985
Hart to Hart Mr. Pruitt 1979
Moonlighting Dr. Nealy 1985
The A-Team Judge 1983
Tales from the Crypt Harry 1989
21 Jump Street Principal George Messiah 1987
House of Frankenstein 1997
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman 1993
The Sentinel Mel Wilkenson 1996
Hill Street Blues Ozzie Cleveland (archive footage) (uncredited) 1981
Law & Order Congressman Ronald Eaton 1990
Touched by an Angel Waters 1994
The New Odd Couple Charles Walker 1982
James at 16 Hazeltine 1977
Hardcastle and McCormick Vic Dutton 1983
Hill Street Blues Ozzie Cleveland 1981
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