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