J.A. Preston
Born
November 13, 1932 (92 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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.

Infiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who Sat by the Door
2011

House of Frankenstein
(2 episodes)
1997

Contact
Senator (uncredited)
1997

Harvest of Fire
Sheriff Garrison
1996

The Sentinel
Mel Wilkenson · (1 episode)
1996

Touched by an Angel
Waters · (1 episode)
1994

Chicago Hope
(2 episodes)
1994

Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle
Man
1994

MacShayne: Winner Takes All
Pete Webb
1994

seaQuest DSV
Charles · (1 episode)
1993

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
(1 episode)
1993
The Gifted
Jacob (Adult)
1993

A Few Good Men
Judge Randolph
1992

Steel Justice
Jeremiah J. Jones
1992

Captain Ron
Magistrate
1992

Martin
(3 episodes)
1992

Aftermath: A Test of Love
Det. Boland
1991

The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson
Wendell Smith
1990

Narrow Margin
Martin Larner
1990

Law & Order
Congressman Ronald Eaton · (1 episode)
1990

Fire Birds
General Olcott
1990

Tales from the Crypt
Harry · (1 episode)
1989

The George McKenna Story
Mr. McKenna
1988

Desperate
Wiggee
1987

21 Jump Street
Principal George Messiah · (1 episode)
1987

Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins
Conn MacCleary
1985

Amazing Stories
Prof. Bertram Carver · (1 episode)
1985

Hollywood Beat
Walker · (1 episode)
1985

Moonlighting
Dr. Nealy · (1 episode)
1985

Hardcastle and McCormick
Vic Dutton · (1 episode)
1983

The A-Team
Judge · (1 episode)
1983

T. J. Hooker
Dr. Ross · (1 episode)
1982

The White Lions
Aniel
1981

Simon & Simon
Police Lt. 'Mule' Muldower - Internal Affairs · (1 episode)
1981

Gimme a Break!
(1 episode)
1981

Body Heat
Oscar Grace
1981

Hill Street Blues
Ozzie Cleveland (archive footage) (uncredited) · (1 episode)
1981

High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane
Alonzo
1980

The Plutonium Incident
Dr. Samuels
1980

Silver Streak
Waiter (uncredited)
1976
Black Cop
Narrator

Punky Brewster
(1 episode)
1984

The New Odd Couple
Charles Walker · (1 episode)
1982

Hill Street Blues
Ozzie Cleveland · (4 episodes)
1981

Hart to Hart
Mr. Pruitt · (1 episode)
1979

Americathon
Morty
1979

Real Life
Dr. Ted Cleary
1979

Dallas
Leo Daltry · (5 episodes)
1978

Carter Country
(1 episode)
1977

James at 16
Hazeltine · (1 episode)
1977

Two-Minute Warning
Policeman
1976

Quincy, M.E.
Judge Saunder MacMillan · (1 episode)
1976

Wonder Woman
Jazreel · (1 episode)
1975

The Jeffersons
(1 episode)
1975

Good Times
(1 episode)
1974

The Spook Who Sat by the Door
Dawson
1973

All in the Family
Elmo 'Black Elmo' Bridgewater · (1 episode)
1971