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