Michael Preece, a former script supervisor who became a director, passed away on Thursday at the age of 88. He was known for directing numerous episodes of shows such as Hunter, Dallas, and Walker, Texas Ranger.
Preece died from heart failure at his Brentwood home in Los Angeles, as confirmed by his daughter, Gretchen Preece-Newman, who is married to two-time Oscar-winning singer-songwriter Randy Newman, in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
Preece directed 19 episodes of Hunter from 1984 to 1990, 62 episodes of Dallas between 1981 and 1991 (covering seasons four to fourteen), as well as the 1997 reunion movie War of the Ewings. Additionally, he helmed 70 episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger during its nine-season run from 1993 to 2001.