Preston Fritz Smith

As lobbyist Don Grundman in Season 2 of HBO's "Succession," New York-based actor Preston Fritz Smith is known for first coming up with "Con Heads" in his memorable courtroom scene with Connor Roy. This led to a nationwide fan club and multiple shipments of Con Heads clothing, drinkware, buttons, etc., arriving at Preston's home the following week. In addition to "Succession," Preston has an impressive resume of TV work, including "Devious Maids," "Billions," "Horror at the Cecil Hotel," "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," three seasons as lead detective on "The Perfect Murder," and a dozen or so films. In theater his recent performance as comedic, "late bloomin' bisexual" Texas cowboy Wayne led to the Jurors' Award in New York's Fresh Fruit Festival. Preston has trained in Paris at the Cours Florent drama school and in New York at The Barrow Group Theatre and School, where he completed the professional conservatory program and continues in play readings and weekly masterclasses. A lifetime member of The Actors Project NYC, he has also trained at MN Studio, The Network NYC, Broadway Comedy Club and TVI Actor's Studio. A January 2024 Tennessee Williams residency in Clarksdale, Mississippi, allowed Preston roles in three Williams plays and four staged readings, directed by Karen Kohlhaas of the Atlantic Theater Company. A classically trained pianist and organist, Preston has played for Oprah Winfrey, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, NBC Today Show, ABC Good Morning America, Star Jones' wedding, and the funeral of Mrs. Walter Cronkite (alongside eulogist Hillary Clinton). He has concertized at Carnegie Hall and other major venues here and abroad.