Mike Preston has passed away. The 92-year-old actor was best known for Pappagallo in Mad Max 2 and Alec Shaw in Hot Pursuit. His other notable works include Homicide, In Melbourne Tonight, The Celebrity Game, and more.
Preston’s death was confirmed by his wife, Josie Preston, to Variety. According to Josie, Mike died earlier this summer on June 8 in Florida. The cause of his death was not provided to the outlet.
Born Jack Davis, Preston began his career as a boxer and a cartoon cameraman. Following that, he transitioned to working in the music industry, tasting success during the late 1950s. Preston worked as a singer and appeared on the TV series Oh Boy!. By 1959, Preston delivered three Top 40 hits on the UK Singles chart.
After his singing career, Preston relocated to Australia to become a TV host and anchor on various shows, including In Melbourne Tonight and Homicide. He played Sen. Det. Bob Delaney on the latter. Preston also had a recurring role in Bellbird, Punishment, and Hot Pursuit, playing Fr. John Kramer and Alec Shaw.
His first feature film role was 1969’s Stoney, a crime drama film directed by Wray Davis. Over a decade later, Preston appeared in the second Mad Max film, The Road Warrior, as Pappagallo. He then appeared in the sci-fi desert adventure film Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn, taking on the lead role.
Preston’s most recent film credits include lending his voice to the video game The Getaway, and acting in Steel, Law & Order, and Baywatch Nights in the late 1990s. Around the same time, he also appeared in the 1995 Highlander TV series as Terrence Kincaid, based on the cult classic film Highlander.
Preston is survived by his wife Josie and two daughters.
ComingSoon sends condolences to Preston’s friends and family at this time.
