Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Michael Preston
open-in-new
<h2 id="life-and-career">Life and career</h2> <p>Preston was born in <a href="/facts/Metropolitan_Borough_of_Hackney/Slw8DKEj">Hackney</a>, London, England.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> He was a <a href="/facts/Boxing/BrY1zmP4">boxer</a> and then became a singer.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> </p><p>He appeared on <i><a href="/facts/Oh_Boy!_(TV_series)/8ovj4GRN">Oh Boy!</a></i> and his third <a href="/facts/Gramophone_record/ccuFV9Af">record</a>, "<a href="/facts/Dirty_Old_Town/F1XetsoL">Dirty Old Town</a>" (1959) was produced by <a href="/facts/Joe_Meek/jXaWsuG5">Joe Meek</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> He had three <a href="/facts/Top_40/vHTAW2M6">Top 40</a> <a href="/facts/Hit_record/cFBCe0aS">hits</a> in the <a href="/facts/UK_Singles_Chart/s2yyGUlD">UK Singles Chart</a>, including reaching No. 12 with his cover version of "<a href="/facts/Mr._Blue/xR9DhIQ2">Mr. Blue</a>" in November 1959,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> before emigrating to Australia where he worked as a <a href="/facts/Nightclub_singer/sMVVoPKS">nightclub singer</a>. </p><p>He then became a host on television, and also an actor. He was a regular host on <i><a href="/facts/In_Melbourne_Tonight/rh89DrAF">In Melbourne Tonight</a></i> in 1968, and in 1969 was a guest celebrity on the game show <i><a href="/facts/The_Celebrity_Game/WmWg3kpA">The Celebrity Game</a></i> and went on to host the revival in 1976–1977. </p><p>His first ongoing starring role on television was in the long-running police drama series <i><a href="/facts/Homicide_(Australian_TV_series)/vgXJ9sHS">Homicide</a></i> as Sen. Det. Bob Delaney from 1972 to 1973. He then had a recurring role in the soap opera <i><a href="/facts/Bellbird_(TV_series)/cN2emcNb">Bellbird</a></i> as Fr. John Kramer between 1974 and 1976. He later took a lead role in the prison-based soap opera <i><a href="/facts/Punishment_(TV_series)/PfzDYxwq">Punishment</a></i> (1981) but this series was short-lived. In 1984, he had an ongoing role in <i><a href="/facts/Hot_Pursuit_(1984_TV_series)/3SUNoWbe">Hot Pursuit</a></i>, as the character Alec Shaw. </p><p>Preston has made numerous guest appearances in television series, including <i><a href="/facts/The_A-Team/Y1R3fMuJ">The A-Team</a></i>, <i><a href="/facts/Max_Headroom_(TV_series)/BeIflItW">Max Headroom</a></i>, <i><a href="/facts/Airwolf/5k6NovKg">Airwolf</a></i>, <i><a href="/facts/Scarecrow_and_Mrs._King/wpecCMCN">Scarecrow and Mrs. King</a></i>, <i><a href="/facts/Alien_Nation_(TV_series)/NhraMyfW">Alien Nation</a></i>, <i><a href="/facts/Ellen_(TV_series)/EtpPl6CQ">Ellen</a></i>, and <i><a href="/facts/Highlander%3a_The_Series/8FkvYcqS">Highlander</a></i>. He also made an appearance in the series <i><a href="/facts/Baywatch_Nights/oLIjqno5">Baywatch Nights</a></i>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> </p><p>Preston has also acted in films. His first feature film was <i>Surabaya Conspiracy</i> (1969); other film roles included playing Pappagallo in <i><a href="/facts/Mad_Max_2/lwnQn8m5">Mad Max 2</a></i> (1981), his best-known role, and Jared-Syn in the science fiction B-movie <i><a href="/facts/Metalstorm%3a_The_Destruction_of_Jared-Syn/v3HpcLHc">Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn</a></i> (1983). He was nominated for the 1979 <a href="/facts/AACTA_Award_for_Best_Actor_in_a_Leading_Role/5VgTTczg">AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role</a> for his role in <i><a href="/facts/The_Last_of_the_Knucklemen/WtyhLj8o">The Last of the Knucklemen</a></i><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> and he won two Logies for most popular male personality in Victoria.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="selected-tv-and-filmography">Selected TV and filmography</h2> <ul><li>Climb Up the Wall - (1960) - Himself, (singing next to the <i><a href="/facts/Albert_Memorial/qJdKs8aB">Albert Memorial</a>)</i></li> <li><i>Surabaya Conspiracy</i> (1969) - Steven Blessing</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Barney_(film)/mjLzo2IX">Barney</a></i> (1976) - O'Shaughnessy</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/The_Last_of_the_Knucklemen/WtyhLj8o">The Last of the Knucklemen</a></i> (1979) - Pansy</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Maybe_This_Time_(1980_film)/2C2LRIkh">Maybe This Time</a></i> (1981) - Paddy</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Mad_Max_2/lwnQn8m5">Mad Max 2</a></i> (1981) - Pappagallo</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Duet_for_Four/41KKPufw">Duet for Four</a></i> (1982) - Ray Martin</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Metalstorm%3a_The_Destruction_of_Jared-Syn/v3HpcLHc">Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn</a></i> (1983) - Jared-Syn</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/A_Caribbean_Mystery/RS9DSVj6">A Caribbean Mystery</a></i> (1983, TV movie) - Arthur Jackson</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Blade_in_Hong_Kong/PjTtteBa">Blade in Hong Kong</a></i> (1985, TV movie) - Charters</li> <li><i>J.O.E. and the Colonel</i> (1985, TV movie) - Schaefer</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Mickey_Spillane%2527s_Mike_Hammer/A0WE36q2">The Return of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer</a></i> (1986, TV movie) - David 'Dak' Anson Kola</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Hunter_(1984_American_TV_series)/lhbJasBr">Hunter</a></i> (1987) - Evans (as Mike Preston)</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Airwolf/5k6NovKg">Airwolf</a></i> (1987, TV series) - Jack Ware</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/List_of_Fame_(1982_TV_series)_episodes/9mobBDE4">Fame</a></i> (1987, TV series) - Jack Ware</li> <li><i>Harry's Hong Kong</i> (1987, TV movie) - Max Trumble</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/The_Long_Journey_Home_(1987_film)/2spaIgu5">The Long Journey Home</a></i> (1987, TV movie) - Frank Mota</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Perry_Mason_(TV_film_series)/m2HGtLfH">Perry Mason</a>: The Case of the Lady in the Lake</i> (1988, TV movie) - Waiter</li> <li><i>Exile</i> (1990, TV Movie) - Rupe Murphy</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Superboy_(TV_series)/nyU9KpUo">Superboy</a></i> (1990) - 2nd Police Officer</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Alien_Nation_(TV_series)/NhraMyfW">Alien Nation</a></i> (1990) - Rigac</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Jake_and_the_Fatman/xlKRVegd">Jake and the Fatman</a></i> (1991) - Vorster</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Renegade_(TV_series)/fkN07jnN">Renegade</a></i> (1995, TV series) - Nick Schneider</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Highlander%3a_The_Series/8FkvYcqS">Highlander: The Series</a></i> (1995) - Terrence Kincaid</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Steel_(1997_film)/wElBzuYF">Steel</a></i> (1997) - Mr. Weston (uncredited)</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/The_Getaway_(video_game)/h8DB0h3o">The Getaway</a></i> (2002, video game) - Harry 'The Hat' (voice)</li></ul> <h2 id="discography">Discography</h2> <ul><li>"A House, A Car And A Wedding Ring" / "My Lucky Love" (1958) – (US No. 93, Aust No. 18) (Decca)</li> <li>"Why, Why Why" / "<a href="/facts/Whispering_Grass/M2aPuNX5">Whispering Grass</a>" (1958)</li> <li>"In Surabaya" / "<a href="/facts/Dirty_Old_Town/F1XetsoL">Dirty Old Town</a>" (1959)</li> <li>"<a href="/facts/Mr._Blue/xR9DhIQ2">Mr. Blue</a>" / "<a href="/facts/Just_Ask_Your_Heart/K2xb2bQv">Just Ask Your Heart</a>" (1959) (<a href="/facts/UK_Singles_Chart/s2yyGUlD">UK</a> No. 12)</li> <li>"Too Old" / "A Girl Like You" (1960)</li> <li>"I'd Do Anything" / "Where Is Love" (1960) (UK No. 23)</li> <li>"Togetherness" / "Farewell My Love" (1960) (UK No. 41)</li> <li>"Marry Me" / "Girl Without a Heart" (1961) (UK No. 14)</li> <li>"<a href="/facts/Punish_Her/zXDz51ek">Punish Her</a>" / "From the Very First Rose" (1963)</li> <li>"Dear Heart" / "Wonderful, Wonderful World" (1968) (Aust No. 20 Kent chart, No. 34 Go-Set chart) (Spin Records)</li> <li>"Christmas Alphabet" (1968) (Aust No. 71 Kent chart) (Spin Records)</li> <li>"Buona Sera Mrs. Campbell" (1969) (Aust No. 64 Kent chart) (Spin Records)</li> <li>"Why" (1972) (Aust No. 70)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> (Fable Records)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a></li></ul> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/List_of_artists_under_the_Decca_Records_label/KYwAUQVH">List of artists under the Decca Records label</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0696463/">Michael Preston</a> at <a href="/facts/IMDb_(identifier)/uWrqVYVy">IMDb</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"Music birthdays in May". Bitter Suite band. Births & Deaths. Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2009. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171215231940/http://www.bittersuiteband.com/music_birthdays-may.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20171215231940/http://www.bittersuiteband.com/music_birthdays-may.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Michael Preston". bio. IMDb.com. Retrieved 4 February 2020. <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0696463/bio" target="_blank">https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0696463/bio</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 1992/3. ISBN 0-85112-939-0. <a href="0-85112-939-0" target="_blank">0-85112-939-0</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"Wolf". Fortune City. Greenfield. Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 1 March 2009. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090307031411/http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/wolf/31/id37.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20090307031411/http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/wolf/31/id37.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 1992/3. ISBN 0-85112-939-0. <a href="0-85112-939-0" target="_blank">0-85112-939-0</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Blues Boy". Baywatch Nights (TV). Season 1. Episode 9. <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Kuipers, Richard. "The Last of the Knucklemen (1979)". Australian Screen. NFSA. Retrieved 5 November 2021. <a href="https://aso.gov.au/titles/features/the-last-of-the-knucklemen/notes/" target="_blank">https://aso.gov.au/titles/features/the-last-of-the-knucklemen/notes/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Murphy, Jim (11 March 1981), "Mike hits the right note", The Australian Women's Weekly, p. 54 <a href="https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/55458416" target="_blank">https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/55458416</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 238. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. <a href="0-646-11917-6" target="_blank">0-646-11917-6</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London, UK: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 437. ISBN 978-1-904994-10-7. <a href="978-1-904994-10-7" target="_blank">978-1-904994-10-7</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>