J. A. Preston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
J. A. Preston
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Preston as Walter Ingles on Good Times, circa 1976
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| Born |
James Allen Preston
November 13, 1932 Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Education | North Carolina College |
| Years active | 1968–2006 |
| Known for | Ozzie Cleveland – Hill Street Blues |
| Spouse(s) |
Merilyn Alsop
(m. 1957; div. 1972) |
| Children | 3 |
James Allen Preston (born November 13, 1932) is a retired American actor. He is famous for playing important characters in many movies and TV shows. You might know him as Colonel Randolph in the movie A Few Good Men. He also played Ozzie Cleveland in the TV series Hill Street Blues. Another one of his roles was Conn MacCleary in the movie Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins.
Contents
About James Allen Preston
Early Life and Career Beginnings
James Allen Preston was born on November 13, 1932, in Washington, D.C.. He started his acting career in the late 1960s. Over the years, he became known for his strong performances in both movies and television.
Famous Roles in Movies and TV
Preston had many memorable roles. Besides Hill Street Blues, he played Leo Daltry in the TV show Dallas. He was also Richard Matthews in Santa Barbara.
In the 1992 film A Few Good Men, he played a court-martial judge named Colonel J. A. Randolph. A court-martial is a military court that decides if a soldier has broken rules. Preston also had a small but important role in the 1997 movie Air Force One. In this film, he played a major general in the U.S. Air Force. A major general is a high-ranking officer in the military.
Preston also appeared in the CBS sitcom All's Fair in 1976. He played an assistant to a newspaper writer. He was also in an episode of The A-Team as a judge. He played Walter Ingles in the TV series Good Times. Later, he appeared in three episodes of Martin as Dr. Cliff Waters, the father of a main character. He also had a role in an early episode of Law & Order.
Personal Life
James Allen Preston was married to Merilyn Alsop. They were married from 1957 until 1972. They had three children together: Scott, Dominique, and James Preston.
Selected Movies and TV Shows
Movies
- 1973 The Spook Who Sat by the Door as Dawson
- 1976 Two-Minute Warning as Policeman #1
- 1979 Real Life as Dr. Ted Cleary
- 1981 Body Heat as Detective Oscar Grace
- 1985 Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins as CURE Agent Conn "Mac" MacCleary
- 1990 Fire Birds as General Olcott
- 1992 A Few Good Men as Judge Colonel Julius Alexander Randolph
- 1997 Air Force One as USAF Major General Samuel Greely
Television Series
- 1975 All in the Family as "Black Elmo" Bridgewater
- 1975 Good Times as Walter Ingles
- 1978 Wonder Woman as Jazreel
- 1982 Little House on the Prairie as Sam Terhune
- 1984 Punky Brewster as Judge William J. Murphy
- 1986 The A-Team as the judge - Col. Thomas Mylowe
- 1990 Law & Order as Congressman Ronald Eaton
- 1992 Martin – played Dr. Cliff Waters in three episodes
- 1994 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman as General Zeitlin
- 1995 SeaQuest 2032 as Charles Ford
Theatre Performances
James Allen Preston also performed in plays on stage.
- Henry IV, Part 1 – Delacorte Theater (1968)
- Henry IV, Part 2 – Delacorte Theater (1968)
- Freeman – American Place Theatre (1973)
