Beloved ‘Mad Max’ Actor Dead at 93
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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 https://variety.com/2026/film/news/mike-preston-dead-mad-max-2-the-road-warrior-1236817624/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" title="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/mike-preston-dead-mad-max-2-the-road-warrior-1236817624/">Variety that the actor died on June 8 in Florida.
No cause of death was disclosed.
Born Jack Davis in London, Preston first https://variety.com/2026/film/news/mike-preston-dead-mad-max-2-the-road-warrior-1236817624/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" title="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/mike-preston-dead-mad-max-2-the-road-warrior-1236817624/">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 https://variety.com/2026/film/news/mike-preston-dead-mad-max-2-the-road-warrior-1236817624/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" title="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/mike-preston-dead-mad-max-2-the-road-warrior-1236817624/">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 https://www.thedailybeast.com/mad-max-2-star-kjell-nilsson-dies-at-76/" rel="" target="_self" title="https://www.thedailybeast.com/mad-max-2-star-kjell-nilsson-dies-at-76/">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.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/mike-preston-mad-max-actor-dead-at-93/">Read more at The Daily Beast.