Preston Hanson (January 17, 1921 – February 12, 2008) was an American
actor
An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...
.
Early years
Hanson was born Iowa and moved to California in 1940. He attended
Pasadena Junior College
Pasadena City College (PCC) is a public community college in Pasadena, California.
History
Pasadena City College was founded in 1924 as Pasadena Junior College. From 1928 to 1953, it operated as a four-year junior college, combining the la ...
.
Military service
During World War II, Hanson few 65 attack missions as a combat pilot in Europe, for which he received the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He later became a major in the Air Force Reserve.
Acting
Hanson appeared in over 30 TV series and movies over 40 years, including ''
Dynasty
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family,''Oxford English Dictionary'', "dynasty, ''n''." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1897. usually in the context of a monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A ...
'', ''
Gunsmoke
''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central character ...
'', ''
Dallas
Dallas () is the List of municipalities in Texas, third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of metropolitan statistical areas, fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 ...
'', ''
Goodbye, Norma Jean
''Goodbye, Norma Jean'' is a 1976 film by Larry Buchanan based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. Misty Rowe plays the title role.Action Jackson'' and ''
The A-Team
''The A-Team'' is an American action-adventure television series that ran on NBC from January 1983 to March 1987 about former members of a fictitious United States Army Special Forces unit. The four members of the team were tried by court marti ...
'' among others.
His last credit was in the 1994 comedy ''
Cops and Robbersons
''Cops & Robbersons'' is a 1994 American crime comedy film directed by Michael Ritchie, starring Chevy Chase, Jack Palance, Dianne Wiest, and Robert Davi.
Plot
When the police discover that a mob hitman has moved in next door to the Robbersons, ...
''. His Broadway credits include ''Much Ado About Nothing'' (1952), ''Saint Joan'' (1951), and ''
Billy Budd
''Billy Budd, Sailor (An Inside Narrative)'' is a novella by American writer Herman Melville, left unfinished at his death in 1891. Acclaimed by critics as a masterpiece when a hastily transcribed version was finally published in 1924, it quick ...
'' (1951).
Later years
In 1964, Hanson ran for the Democratic nomination for Congress from the 27th District of California. At that time, he was a property manager. In 1966, he sought the Democratic nomination for the 42nd Assembly District of California's Legislature.
Personal life
Hanson was married to the former Lorraine Johnson. They had four children.