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Mike Preston, ‘Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior’ and ‘Hot Pursuit’ Actor, Dies at 93
Mike Preston, the British-born actor best known for playing settler leader Pappagallo in "Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior" and Detective Bob Delaney in the Australian series "Homicide," has died at the age of 93. He passed away on 8 June in Florida, with his death confirmed to Variety by his wife, Josie Preston. His career spanned pop music, television and film across two continents, making him a familiar face to both British and Australian audiences before he found wider recognition in Hollywood.
Born Jack Davis, Preston began his career as a UK chart-topping singer in the late 1950s, scoring three Top 40 hits, before relocating to Australia and building a career as a nightclub performer, TV host and actor, including 42 episodes of "Homicide" and a stint on "In Melbourne Tonight." He later appeared in "The Road Warrior" alongside director George Miller, led the sci-fi film "Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn," and starred as Alec Shaw in "Hot Pursuit," as well as guesting on numerous American shows including "Highlander," "Alien Nation" and "Law & Order." His final credit was a voice role in the 2002 video game "The Getaway." He is survived by his wife, Josie, and two daughters.
In short
- Actor Mike Preston has died aged 93 in Florida on 8 June.
- Known for "Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior" and "Hot Pursuit" roles.
- Career began as a UK pop singer before moving into Australian TV.
Explained simply
Mike Preston, born Jack Davis, began in British pop music in the late 1950s before moving to Australia, where he worked as a singer, television host and actor. He became known to Australian viewers as Detective Bob Delaney in the police series Homicide.
Preston later appeared in American films and television, including Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, directed by George Miller, and the comedy Hot Pursuit. His career across Britain, Australia and the United States linked music and screen entertainment, and made him familiar to audiences in several countries.