Mike Preston obit

 

Mike Preston, ‘Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior’ and ‘Hot Pursuit’ Actor, Dies at 93

He was not on the list.

Mike Preston, known for playing settler leader Pappagallo in “Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior” and Detective Bob Delaney in the Australian series “Homicide,” died June 8 in Florida. He was 93.

Preston’s death was confirmed to Variety by his wife, Josie Preston.

Preston, who was born Jack Davis, was an early U.K. chart-topping singer in the late ’50s with three Top 40 hits. He then relocated to Australia and began working as a nightclub singer and performer.

He found success hosting “In Melbourne Tonight,” before going on to appear in 42 episodes of the Australian series “Homicide.” He had a recurring role in the soap opera “Bellbird” and also appeared in “Dixon of Dock Green,” “Tandarra,” “Chopper Squad” and “Cop Shop.”

His first feature film role was in 1969’s “Stoney,” which also featured Barbara Bouchet and Richard Jaeckel. He worked with George Miller on the beloved “Mad Max” sequel “The Road Warrior,” led the sci-fi flick “Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn” as the titular character, and appeared in eight episodes of “Hot Pursuit” as Alec Shaw, alongside actors like Kerrie Keane, Eric Pierpoint and Dina Merrill.

Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Preston appeared in guest spots on over a dozen shows, including “Ellen,” “Scarecrow and Mrs. King,” “Shadow Chasers,” “Outlaws,” “Superbly,” “Alien Nation,” “Dark Justice,” “Highlander,” “Steel” and “Law & Order.” His last credit was a voice role in the video game “The Getaway,” released in 2002.

Preston then became a host on television, and also an actor. He was a regular host on In Melbourne Tonight in 1968, and in 1969 was a guest celebrity on the game show The Celebrity Game and went on to host the revival in 1976–1977.

His first ongoing starring role on television was in the long-running police drama series Homicide as Sen. Det. Bob Delaney from 1972 to 1973. He then had a recurring role in the soap opera Bellbird as Fr. John Kramer between 1974 and 1976. He later took a lead role in the prison-based soap opera Punishment (1981) but this series was short-lived. In 1984, he had an ongoing role in Hot Pursuit, as the character Alec Shaw.

Michael Preston has made numerous guest appearances in television series, including The A-Team, Max Headroom, Airwolf, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Alien Nation, Ellen, and Highlander. He also made an appearance in the series Baywatch Nights.

Preston also acted in films. His first feature film was Surabaya Conspiracy (1969); other film roles included playing Pappagallo in Mad Max 2 (1981), his best-known role, and Jared-Syn in the science fiction B-movie Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn (1983). He was nominated for the 1979 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his role in The Last of the Knucklemen and he won two Logies for most popular male personality in Victoria.

Preston is survived by his wife, Josie Preston, and two daughters.

Actor

The Getaway (2002)

The Getaway

7.8

Video Game

Harry 'The Hat' (voice)

2002

 

Tony Goldwyn, Maura Tierney, Hugh Dancy, Reid Scott, David Ajala, and Odelya Halevi in Law & Order (1990)

Law & Order

7.8

TV Series

Jury Foreman

1998

1 episode

 

Ray J and Shaquille O'Neal in Steel (1997)

Steel

3.0

Mr. Weston (uncredited)

1997

 

David Hasselhoff in Baywatch Nights (1995)

Baywatch Nights

3.8

TV Series

Lyle Logan (as Mike Preston)

1995

1 episode

 

Adrian Paul in Highlander (1992)

Highlander

7.2

TV Series

Terence Kincaid (as Mike Preston)

1995

1 episode

 

Lorenzo Lamas, Kathleen Kinmont, and Branscombe Richmond in Renegade (1992)

Renegade

6.0

TV Series

Nick Schneider (as Mike Preston)

1995

1 episode

 

Janet Gunn, Clayton Prince, and Ramy Zada in Dark Justice (1991)

Dark Justice

7.3

TV Series

Argon

1993

1 episode

 

William Conrad and Joe Penny in Jake and the Fatman (1987)

Jake and the Fatman

6.4

TV Series

Vorster (as Mike Preston)

1991

1 episode

 

Super Force (1990)

Super Force

6.8

TV Series

Mr. Huff (as Mike Preston)

1990

1 episode

 

The Great Los Angeles Earthquake (1990)

The Great Los Angeles Earthquake

6.0

TV Movie

South African aide (uncredited)

1990

 

Alien Nation (1989)

Alien Nation

6.9

TV Series

Rigac (as Mike Preston)

1990

1 episode

 

Gerard Christopher in Superboy (1988)

Superboy

6.0

TV Series

2nd Police Officer

1990

1 episode

 

Walt Disney in The Magical World of Disney (1954)

The Magical World of Disney

8.3

TV Series

Rupe Murphy (as Mike Preston)

1990

1 episode

 

Something Is Out There (1988)

Something Is Out There

6.6

TV Series

1989

1 episode

 

Raymond Burr in Perry Mason: The Case of the Lady in the Lake (1988)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Lady in the Lake

6.9

TV Movie

Waiter

1988

 

Max Headroom (1987)

Max Headroom

7.3

TV Series

Traker

1988

1 episode

 

The Long Journey Home (1987)

The Long Journey Home

5.7

TV Movie

Frank Mota (as Mike Preston)

1987

 

Nancy McKeon, Kim Fields, Mindy Cohn, Charlotte Rae, and Lisa Whelchel in The Facts of Life (1979)

The Facts of Life

6.9

TV Series

Kevin McKenna

1987

1 episode

 

Harry's Hong Kong (1987)

Harry's Hong Kong

4.2

TV Movie

Max Trumble

1987

 

Outlaws (1986)

Outlaws

7.1

TV Series

Hit Men Leader (as Mike Preston)

1987

1 episode

 

Debbie Allen, Lee Curreri, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Bill Hufsey, Carlo Imperato, Valerie Landsburg, and Gene Anthony Ray in Fame (1982)

Fame

7.1

TV Series

Jack Ware (as Mike Preston)

1987

1 episode

 

Airwolf (1987)

Airwolf

5.4

TV Series

Colonel Bojard (as Mike Preston)

1987

1 episode

 

Fred Dryer and Stepfanie Kramer in Hunter (1984)

Hunter

6.9

TV Series

Evans (as Mike Preston)

1987

1 episode

 

Shadow Chasers (1985)

Shadow Chasers

7.7

TV Series

Corbin (as Mike Preston)

1986

1 episode

 

Stacy Keach in The Return of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (1986)

The Return of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer

6.5

TV Movie

David 'Dak' Anson Kholer (as Mike Preston)

1986

 

Pierce Brosnan and Stephanie Zimbalist in Remington Steele (1982)

Remington Steele

7.3

TV Series

Geoffrey Whittlesey (as Mike Preston)

1986

1 episode

 

Ernest Borgnine, Jan-Michael Vincent, and Alex Cord in Airwolf (1984)

Airwolf

6.7

TV Series

Colonel Ross

1985

1 episode

 

Bruce Boxleitner and Kate Jackson in Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983)

Scarecrow and Mrs. King

7.1

TV Series

Charles Caanan (as Mike Preston)

1985

1 episode

 

George Peppard, Mr. T, Dirk Benedict, and Dwight Schultz in The A-Team (1983)

The A-Team

7.5

TV Series

DoyleDunnigan (as Mike Preston)

1984–1985

3 episodes

 

Gary Kasper in J.O.E. and the Colonel (1985)

J.O.E. and the Colonel

4.7

TV Movie

Schaefer (as Mike Preston)

1985

 

Kerrie Keane, Eric Pierpoint, and Michael Preston in Hot Pursuit (1984)

Hot Pursuit

6.9

TV Series

Alec Shaw

1984–1985

8 episodes

 

Blade in Hong Kong (1985)

Blade in Hong Kong

5.2

TV Movie

Charters (as Mike Preston)

1985

 

Jon-Erik Hexum and Jennifer O'Neill in Cover Up (1984)

Cover Up

7.7

TV Series

McBride (as Mike Preston)

1985

1 episode

 

Faerie Tale Theatre (1982)

Faerie Tale Theatre

8.3

TV Series

The Huntsman

1984

1 episode

 

Five Mile Creek (1983)

Five Mile Creek

7.7

TV Series

Boz Deagon (as Mike Preston)

1984

1 episode

 

Stacy Keach and Lindsay Bloom in The New Mike Hammer (1984)

The New Mike Hammer

6.8

TV Series

Agent Griffin (as Mike Preston)

1984

1 episode

 

A Caribbean Mystery (1983)

A Caribbean Mystery

6.3

Arthur Jackson (as Mike Preston)

1983

 

Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn (1983)

Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn

3.9

Jared-Syn (as Mike Preston)

1983

 

Bruce Boxleitner, Clyde Kusatsu, and Cindy Morgan in Bring 'Em Back Alive (1982)

Bring 'Em Back Alive

7.1

TV Series

Harry Larkin (as Mike Preston)

1983

1 episode

 

M.P.S.I.B.

TV Series

Sgt. Noel Brandon

1982–1983

10 episodes

 

Duet for Four (1982)

Duet for Four

5.9

Ray Martin

1982

 

Mel Gibson in Punishment (1981)

Punishment

6.3

TV Series

Larry Morrison

1981–1982

13 episodes

 

The Road Warrior (1981)

The Road Warrior

7.6

Pappagallo (as Mike Preston)

1981

 

...Maybe This Time (1980)

...Maybe This Time

6.1

Paddy (as Mike Preston)

1980

 

Cop Shop (1977)

Cop Shop

7.1

TV Series

Snr. Sgt. Hugh Munro (credit only)

1980

1 episode

 

The Last of the Knucklemen (1979)

The Last of the Knucklemen

6.9

Pansy

1979

 

Chopper Squad (1977)

Chopper Squad

7.2

TV Series

Jim Hayes

1978

1 episode

 

All at Sea (1977)

All at Sea

4.9

TV Movie

Mike

1977

 

Sean Kramer and Brett Maxworthy in Lost in the Wild (1976)

Lost in the Wild

5.8

O'Shaughnessy

1976

 

Bellbird (1967)

Bellbird

7.8

TV Series

Fr. John Kramer (1974-1976) (as Mike Preston)

1974–1976

396 episodes

 

Cul Cullen and Mary Marshall in The Professional Touch (1976)

The Professional Touch

TV Movie

Big Ernie

1976

 

Tandarra (1976)

Tandarra

7.5

TV Mini Series

Davey Doolan (as Mike Preston)

1976

1 episode

 

Rush (1974)

Rush

8.4

TV Series

Green (as Mike Preston)

1974

1 episode

 

Grigor Taylor in Silent Number (1974)

Silent Number

5.8

TV Series

1974

1 episode

 

Jack Warner in Dixon of Dock Green (1955)

Dixon of Dock Green

6.9

TV Series

Fred Johnstone (as Mike Preston)

1974

1 episode

 

Homicide (1964)

Homicide

7.7

TV Series

Det. Sgt. Bob DelaneySen. Det. Bob Delaney (as Mike Preston)

1972–1973

42 episodes

 

Barbara Bouchet in Stoney (1969)

Stoney

4.1

Steven Blessing (as Mike Preston)

1969

 

Soundtrack

Debbie Allen, Lee Curreri, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Bill Hufsey, Carlo Imperato, Valerie Landsburg, and Gene Anthony Ray in Fame (1982)

Fame

7.1

TV Series

performer: "What Ho Mrs. Brisket", "Men About Town"

1987

1 episode

 

Graham Kennedy in In Melbourne Tonight (1957)

In Melbourne Tonight

7.8

TV Series

performer: "Zing a Little Zong"performer: "Cockles and Mussels"

1969

2 episodes

 

Thanks

Mojave Moon (1996)

Mojave Moon

5.2

thanks

1996

 

Self

The 1981 Australian Film Institute Awards

TV Special

Self - Presenter

1981

 

The Celebrity Game (1976)

The Celebrity Game

TV Series

Self - Host

1976–1977

8 episodes

 

Something Special

TV Series

Self

1975

2 episodes

 

Graham Kennedy in The Graham Kennedy Show (1972)

The Graham Kennedy Show

6.8

TV Series

Self (as Mike Preston)

1975

1 episode

 

Ted Hamilton's Musical World

TV Series

Self

1974

1 episode

 

Ernie Sigley in The Ernie Sigley Show (1974)

The Ernie Sigley Show

6.8

TV Series

Self (as Mike Preston)

1974

2 episodes

 

Young Talent Time (1971)

Young Talent Time

7.1

TV Series

Self - Judge

1971

1 episode

 

The 11th Annual TV Week Logie Awards (1969)

The 12th Annual TV Week Logie Awards

TV Special

Self

1970

 

The Mike Walsh Show (1969)

The Mike Walsh Show

6.9

TV Series

Self (as Mike Preston)

1970

1 episode

 

Graham Kennedy in In Melbourne Tonight (1957)

In Melbourne Tonight

7.8

TV Series

Self - Host (as Mike Preston)

1969

38 episodes

 

The Rose and Crown

TV Series

Self (as Mike Preston)

1969

4 episodes

 

The 11th Annual TV Week Logie Awards (1969)

The 11th Annual TV Week Logie Awards

TV Special

Self

1969

 

Tommy Quickly in Thank Your Lucky Stars (1961)

Thank Your Lucky Stars

7.5

TV Series

Self (as Mike Preston)

1961–1965

3 episodes

 

Discs-a-gogo (1961)

Discs-a-gogo

7.4

TV Series

Self - Performer (as Mike Preston)

1963–1965

2 episodes

 

Climb Up the Wall (1960)

Climb Up the Wall

4.0

Self (as Mike Preston)

1960

 

Oh Boy! (1958)

Oh Boy!

7.6

TV Series

Self (as Mike Preston)

1959

7 episodes

 

Six-Five Special (1957)

Six-Five Special

6.6

TV Series

Self (as Mike Preston)

1958

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

Gabriel Fernández-Gil, Juan Pérez, David Díaz, Luis Rodrigo, FJ García, Iñaki Reyna, Alvar Gordejuela, and Jon Koldo Etxebarria in Special Collector's Edition (2010)

Special Collector's Edition

6.9

TV Series

Pappagallo (archive footage, uncredited)

2011

1 episode

 

Duet for Four: David Williamson Interview (2008)

Duet for Four: David Williamson Interview

Video

Self (archive footage, as Mike Preston)

2008

 

Duet for Four: Wendy Hughes Interview (2008)

Duet for Four: Wendy Hughes Interview

Video

Self (archive footage, as Mike Preston)

2008

 

The Last of the Knucklemen: Interviews (2004) (2004)

The Last of the Knucklemen: Interviews (2004)

Video

Self - Pansy (archive footage, as Mike Preston)

2004

 

Gary Day, Charles 'Bud' Tingwell, and Norman Yemm in Homicide... 30 Years On (1994)

Homicide... 30 Years On

8.5

TV Movie

Self (archive footage)

1994