Mike Preston, the actor best known for playing settler leader Pappagallo in Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, has died at 93. His wife, Josie Preston, confirmed to Variety that the actor died on June 8 in Florida. No cause of death was disclosed. Born Jack Davis in London, Preston first found fame not as an actor but as a singer, scoring three U.K. Top 40 hits in the late 1950s before relocating to Australia and pivoting to television and film. He became a familiar face to Australian audiences through Homicide, Bellbird, and other TV series before landing his signature role in George Miller’s 1981 action classic Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, starring opposite Mel Gibson. Preston later appeared in Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn, Hot Pursuit, and guest-starred on series including Alien Nation, Highlander, and Law & Order. His final credited role came as a voice actor in the 2002 video game The Getaway. The news of his death came after the passing of Max Max co-star Kjell Nilsson, who played Lord Humungus, who died at 76 in Queensland, Australia, after a four-year battle with kidney disease. Preston is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Beloved 'Mad Max' actor dead at 93
Mike Preston, the actor best known for playing settler leader Pappagallo in Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, has died at 93. His wife, Josie Preston, confirmed to Variety that the actor died on June 8 in Florida. No cause of death was disclosed. Born Jack Davis in London, Preston first found fame not as an actor but as a singer, scoring three U.K. Top 40 hits in the late 1950s before relocating to Australia and pivoting to television and film. He...