William Preston (actor)

William Preston (August 26, 1921 – July 10, 1998) was an American actor. He did not start his acting career until he was at the age of 47 but subsequently appeared in more than sixty productions of Shakespeare's plays. He had a Master's degree in English literature from Penn State. He is perhaps best known for his role as recurring character Carl "Oldie" Olsen on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Among his many movie roles, he played John, the bum, from The Fisher King (1991), a blacksmith in Far and Away (1992), and the flask mourner in Family Business (1989). He later appeared in Waterworld (1995), Reckless (1995), Blue in the Face (1995), and The Crucible (1996).[1]

He died at Saint Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan on July 10, 1998.[1]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1973Malatesta's Carnival of BloodSticker
1985Goodbye, New YorkElevator Man
1989Family BusinessFlask Mourner
1990The Exorcist IIIOld Man in Wheelchair
1991The Fisher KingJohn the Bum
1992Far and AwayBlacksmith
1993Me and VeronicaOld Man
1994My Summer StoryGrandpa Bumpus
1995Blue in the FaceStatistician
1995WaterworldDepth Gauge
1995RecklessPorter
1995FlasherFlasher
1996Joe's ApartmentComplaint Handler
1996The CrucibleGeorge Jacobs
1996I'm Not RappaportJake
1998IlluminataOld toothless man

References

  1. "W.H. Preston, locally born veteran actor". Sunday News. July 12, 1998. p. 18. Retrieved March 10, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
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