William Preston started an acting career late in his life, giving up his career as a book keeper in a Philadelphia trucking firm to begin acting at age 47. He had extensive stage experience, performing in over 60 Shakespeare productions as well as being nominated for Florida's state supporting actor award. Among his many movie roles, he played John, the bum, from Fisher King - Le roi pêcheur (1991), a blacksmith in Horizons lointains (1992), and the flask mourner in Family Business (1989). He later appeared inWaterworld (1995), Reckless (1995/I), Brooklyn Boogie (1995), and La chasse aux sorcières (1996). William was born on August 26, 1921 in Columbia, PA. He had a Master's degree in English literature from Penn State. In July 10, 1998 Preston died. - IMDb Mini Biography