Michael Preston

Michael Preston (born Jack C. Davis; 14 May 1933 – 8 June 2026) was an English-born singer and television and film character actor who worked in his native United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. He is sometimes credited as Mike Preston.

Life and career Early life Preston was born in what was then the Metropolitan Borough of Hackney in the County of London, England on 14 May 1933. He was a boxer and cartoon cameraman and then became a singer.

Music career

Preston launched a career as a singer after being discovered in the West End by agent record producer Denis Preston and appeared on the Oh Boy! television series, he released his first single on Decca Records A House, A Car And A Wedding Ring, by Jerry Lordan and his third record, Dirty Old Town (1959) was produced by Joe Meek. He had three Top 40 hits in the UK Singles Chart, including reaching No. 12 with his cover version of The Fleetwoods "Mr. Blue" in November 1959,

Preston acted in films. His first feature 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). H

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.

Death Preston died in Florida, USA on 8 June 2026, at the age of 93.

Selected filmography Climb Up the Wall (1960) – Himself (singing next to the Albert Memorial) Surabaya Conspiracy (1969) – Steven Blessing Homicide (1972–3) – Bob Delaney Barney (1976) – O'Shaughnessy The Last of the Knucklemen (1979) – Pansy Maybe This Time (1981) – Paddy Mad Max 2 (1981) – Pappagallo Duet for Four (1982) – Ray Martin Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn (1983) – Jared-Syn A Caribbean Mystery (1983, TV movie) – Arthur Jackson Blade in Hong Kong (1985, TV movie) – Charters J.O.E. and the Colonel (1985, TV movie) – Schaefer The Return of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (1986, TV movie) – David 'Dak' Anson Kola Hunter (1987) – Evans (as Mike Preston) Airwolf (1987, TV series) – Jack Ware Fame (1987, TV series) – Jack Ware Harry's Hong Kong (1987, TV movie) – Max Trumble The Long Journey Home (1987, TV movie) – Frank Mota Perry Mason: The Case of the Lady in the Lake (1988, TV movie) – Waiter Exile (1990, TV Movie) – Rupe Murphy Superboy (1990) – 2nd Police Officer Alien Nation (1990) – Rigac Jake and the Fatman (1991) – Vorster Renegade (1995, TV series) – Nick Schneider Highlander: The Series (1995) – Terrence Kincaid Steel (1997) – Mr. Weston (uncredited) The Getaway (2002, video game) – Harry

Discography "A House, A Car And A Wedding Ring" / "My Lucky Love" (1958) – (US No. 93, Aust No. 18) (Decca) "Why, Why Why" / "Whispering Grass" (1958) "In Surabaya" / "Dirty Old Town" (1959) "Mr. Blue" / "Just Ask Your Heart" (1959) (UK No. 12) "Too Old" / "A Girl Like You" (1960) "I'd Do Anything" / "Where Is Love" (1960) (UK No. 23) "Togetherness" / "Farewell My Love" (1960) (UK No. 41) "Marry Me" / "Girl Without a Heart" (1961) (UK No. 14) "Punish Her" / "From the Very First Rose" (1963) "Dear Heart" / "Wonderful, Wonderful World" (1968) (Aust No. 20 Kent chart, No. 34 Go-Set chart) (Spin Records) "Christmas Alphabet" (1968) (Aust No. 71 Kent chart) (Spin Records) "Buona Sera Mrs. Campbell" (1969) (Aust No. 64 Kent chart) (Spin Records) "Why" (1972) (Aust No. 70) (Fable Records)