Mike Preston, Mad Max 2 actor and pop singer, dies at 93
Preston played Pappagallo in The Road Warrior after early success as a U.K. singer and a long run on Australian television.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Mike Preston, the actor who brought settler leader Pappagallo to the post-apocalyptic chaos of Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, died June 8 in Florida, Variety reported. He was 93.
His wife, Josie Preston, confirmed his death to Variety. A cause of death was not reported.
Preston’s screen career stretched across Australian television, cult sci-fi cinema and American guest spots, but he first made his name behind a microphone. Born Jack Davis, he became a charting singer in the United Kingdom in the late 1950s, landing three Top 40 hits, according to Variety.
He later moved to Australia, where he worked as a nightclub singer and performer before becoming a familiar face on television. Variety reported that he found success hosting In Melbourne Tonight, then moved deeper into acting roles across the country’s TV industry.
One of his key television parts came on the Australian police drama Homicide, where he appeared in 42 episodes as Detective Bob Delaney, according to Variety. He also had a recurring role on the soap opera Bellbird.
Preston’s Australian TV credits also included appearances on Dixon of Dock Green, Tandarra, Chopper Squad and Cop Shop, Variety reported.
His film career began with the 1969 movie Stoney, which also featured Barbara Bouchet and Richard Jaeckel. More than a decade later, Preston joined George Miller’s Mad Max universe in The Road Warrior, playing Pappagallo, the leader of a settlement trying to survive in the wasteland.
Preston also led the sci-fi film Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn as Jared-Syn, according to Variety. On television, he appeared in eight episodes of Hot Pursuit as Alec Shaw, alongside cast members including Kerrie Keane, Eric Pierpoint and Dina Merrill.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, Preston continued to turn up in guest roles on American series. Variety listed credits including Ellen, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Shadow Chasers, Outlaws, Superbly, Alien Nation, Dark Justice, Highlander, Steel and Law & Order.
His final listed credit was a voice role in the 2002 video game The Getaway, Variety reported.
Preston is survived by his wife, Josie Preston, and two daughters.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.