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Gary Cole

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the actor. For the soccer player, see Gary Cole (soccer).
Not to be confused with Gary Coleman.

Gary Cole
Cole at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.
Born
Gary Michael Cole

(1956-09-20) September 20, 1956 (age 68)
Park Ridge, Illinois, U.S.
EducationIllinois State University (BFA)
OccupationActor
Years active1983–present
Spouse
Michelle Knapp
​
(m. 2021)​
Children1

Gary Michael Cole (born September 20, 1956) is an American actor. He began his professional acting career on stage at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 1985. His breakout role was playing Jack 'Nighthawk' Killian in the NBC series Midnight Caller (1988–1991).

Further prominent television roles include Sheriff Lucas Buck in American Gothic (1995–1996), Vice President Bob Russell in The West Wing (2003–2006), Kurt McVeigh in both The Good Wife (2010–2016) and The Good Fight (2017–2022), Kent Davison in Veep (2013–2019), and Special Agent Alden Parker in NCIS (2021–present). A prolific voice actor, Cole's voice roles include Harvey Birdman in Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law (2000–2007, 2018), Principal Shepherd in Family Guy (2000–present), Dr. James Possible in Kim Possible (2002–2007), Mayor Fred Jones Sr. in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010–2013) and Sergeant Bosco in Bob's Burgers (2012–present).

His most notable film roles are as Mike Brady in The Brady Bunch Movie (1995) and Bill Lumbergh in Office Space (1999). Other film appearances include In the Line of Fire (1993), A Simple Plan (1998), One Hour Photo (2002), Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004), Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) and Pineapple Express (2008).

Early life

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Gary Michael Cole was born on September 20, 1956, in Park Ridge, Illinois, and raised in nearby Rolling Meadows. His father, Robert, was a municipal finance director, and his mother, Margaret or "Peggy", was a school administrative assistant.[1][2] Cole has an older sister, Nancy.

While attending Rolling Meadows High School, Cole made his acting debut as Snoopy in a high school production of Clark Gesner's Peanuts musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Cole attended Illinois State University, where he studied theater as a classmate with fellow future actors Laurie Metcalf and John Malkovich.

Career

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Cole in 2009

Cole began his professional career in 1983 as a stage actor in Chicago, where he joined the ensemble of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 1985. In an early role, Cole played accused Army triple-murderer Capt Jeffrey MacDonald in the mini-series Fatal Vision. Cole has also appeared in several off-Broadway productions in New York City. He has done voice work on several animated series (Family Guy; Kim Possible; Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law; Archer) and had a recurring role on the drama The West Wing as Vice President Bob Russell. He also starred as Captain Matthew Gideon on the short-lived Babylon 5 spin-off Crusade, and had notable guest appearances on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Arrested Development. He also played Joe Maxwell on DCOM Cadet Kelly and appeared as real-life astronaut Edgar Mitchell in HBO's recreation of Project Apollo, From the Earth to the Moon. One of his most notable roles in 1991 was as Lt. Col. George A. Custer in the much acclaimed television film Son of the Morning Star.

Between 1988 and 1991, Cole became popular on TV for playing the part of Jack "Nighthawk" Killian in the series Midnight Caller. In 1999, Cole starred in the film Office Space, in which he portrayed the micromanaging office supervisor Bill Lumbergh. When asked about the oft-quoted character, Cole said:

Everyone in Office Space thought that this movie had died. So that's how I knew the movie was actually some kind of success because people were coming up doing some lines from the movie ... It never gets old because it reminds you that something you did had some impact. You could work your whole career and have nothing like that last that long.[3]

He played The Brady Bunch patriarch Mike Brady in the 1995 film The Brady Bunch Movie, the 1996 sequel A Very Brady Sequel, and the 2002 television film The Brady Bunch in the White House.

Cole starred as Lieutenant Conrad Rose on the TNT series Wanted, he is also the voice of the title character on the Adult Swim series Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, and starred as Sheriff Lucas Buck on the one season 1995 show, American Gothic. Cole also appeared in the films Talladega Nights, Forever Strong, and American Pastime.

Cole played Katherine Mayfair's ex-husband Wayne on Desperate Housewives[4] and has played the dangerous drug lord Ted Jones in Pineapple Express with Seth Rogen and James Franco. He also appeared in an episode from the third season of the USA Network series Psych as S.W.A.T. commander Cameron Luntz. Cole also played Bill Owens, Sy Parrish's (Robin Williams) boss, in the film One Hour Photo.

In 2008, Cole appeared on Chuck as Sarah's con-artist father (in "Chuck Versus the DeLorean"), a role which he reprised in 2011 (in "Chuck Versus the Wedding Planner"). He also appeared in the fifth season of HBO's Entourage playing Ari Gold's old pal Andrew Klein for a 3-episode story arc prior to joining the regular cast in the sixth season.

He played ballistics expert Kurt McVeigh on The Good Wife and on The Good Fight. On both shows, he played opposite Christine Baranski, who portrayed lawyer Diane Lockhart.

Cole had a guest-appearance on the fourth season of the HBO series True Blood, playing Sookie Stackhouse's grandfather.

In 2011, Cole joined Fox's comedy pilot Tagged, but the series was not picked up.[5]

In 2013, Cole began a recurring role on Suits as Cameron Dennis, the former mentor of Harvey Specter, one of the show's main characters. Also in 2013, Cole began a major recurring role as Kent Davison on the HBO comedy series Veep, joining the main cast at the start of the show's second season. In 2014, he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his work in season three. Additionally, Cole was nominated with his fellow cast members for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for seasons 2, 3, 4, and 5 before ultimately winning the award in 2017 for season 6.

Cole currently provides the voice of Sergeant Boscoe on Bob's Burgers and Principal Shepherd on Family Guy. He appears in triplicate as 10 Minutes, 10 Days and 10 Years in the Future Spokesguy in Kabbage's 2019 commercial campaign.[6]

Personal life

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Cole married actress Teddi Siddall on March 8, 1992.[2] They have one daughter, Mary, who is autistic.[7] On June 19, 2017, Siddall filed for divorce;[8][9] she died the following year.[10] On July 7, 2021, Cole married interior designer Michelle Knapp.[11]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1985 To Live and Die in L.A. Man Chased By Richard Chance Uncredited
1986 Lucas Assistant Coach
1990 The Old Man and the Sea Tom Pruitt
1993 In the Line of Fire Secret Service Agent In Charge Bill Watts
1995 The Brady Bunch Movie Mike Brady
1996 A Very Brady Sequel Mike Brady
1997 Santa Fe Paul Thomas
Gang Related DEA Agent Richard Simms
Cyclops, Baby Manks
1998 A Simple Plan Vernon Bokovsky / FBI Agent Neil Baxter
Kiss the Sky Marty
I'll Be Home for Christmas Jake's Dad
1999 Office Space Bill Lumbergh
2000 The Gift David Duncan
2001 The Rising Place Avery Hodge
2002 One Hour Photo Bill Owens
I Spy Agent Carlos
2004 Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! Henry Futch
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story "Cotton" McKnight
2005 The Ring Two Martin Savide
Mozart and the Whale Wallace
Cry Wolf Mr. Matthews
2006 Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Reese Bobby
2007 My Wife Is Retarded Dr. Heichman Short film
American Pastime Billy Burrell
Breach Rich Garces
Goodnight Vagina Dr. Milstein Short film
2008 Say Hello to Stan Talmadge Stan Talmadge
Conspiracy Rhodes
Pineapple Express Ted Jones
Forever Strong Coach Larry Gelwix
2009 Extract Bar Patron Uncredited
The Joneses Larry
2010 DC Showcase: The Spectre Jim Corrigan / Spectre Voice, short film[12]
Batman: Under the Red Hood "Bobo", James "Jim" Gordon, Shot, Guard Voice, direct-to-video
Immortality Bites Dr. Levine
2011 Hop Henry O'Hare
The Chicago 8 Bill Kunstler
The Last Rites of Joe May Lenny
2013 Vamp U Arthur Levine
2014 Date and Switch Dwayne
Tammy Earl
Cotton Clay Peaks Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival Award for Best Actor[13]
The Town That Dreaded Sundown Chief Deputy Hank Tillman
2015 Divine Access Reverend Guy Roy Davis
Christmas Eve Dr. Roberts
The Bronze Stan Greggory
2016 Hot Air Aviator
2017 Small Crimes Dan Pleasant
Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown Rafe Voice, direct-to-video[12]
2018 Blockers Ron
Under the Eiffel Tower Gerard
Unbroken: Path to Redemption Dr. George Bailey
Seven in Heaven Mr. Wallace
2019 The Art of Racing in the Rain Don Kitch
Married Young Aaron
2020 Darkness Falls Mark Witver
2021 Batman: Death in the Family James Gordon, Two-Face, Reporter #4 Voice, short film[12]
2022 The Bob's Burgers Movie Sergeant Bosco Voice
Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe Phil Mattison Voice[12]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1983 Heart of Steel Lee Television film
1984 Fatal Vision Captain Jeffrey MacDonald, MD Television film
American Playhouse Man With Xmas Tree Episode: "A Matter of Principle"
1985 First Steps Manny Television film
The Twilight Zone Daniel Gaddis Episode: "Her Pilgrim Soul"
1986 Vital Signs Dr. Hayward Television film
Miami Vice Jackson Crane Episode: "Trust Fund Pirates"
Jack and Mike Chris Sykes Episode: "Pilot"
1987 Moonlighting Alan McClafferty 2 episodes
Echoes in the Darkness Jack Holtz Television film
1988–1991 Midnight Caller Jack 'Nighthawk' Killian 61 episodes
1989 Those She Left Behind Scott Grimes Television film
1990 The Old Man and the Sea (1990 film) Tom Pruitt
1991 Son of the Morning Star George Armstrong Custer Television film
1993 The Switch Larry McAfee Television film
When Love Kills: The Seduction of John Hearn John Hearn Television film
1994 A Time to Heal Jay Barton Television film
Twilight Zone: Rod Serling's Lost Classics James Television film
Fall from Grace Major Tom O'Neill Television film
1995–1996 American Gothic Sheriff Lucas Buck 22 episodes
1996 For My Daughter's Honor Pete Nash Television film
1997 Lies He Told Dave Television film
1998 Dead Man's Gun Travis Everett Thornberry Episode: "The Photographer"
The Outer Limits Detective Ray Venable Episode: "Criminal Nature"
From the Earth to the Moon Edgar Mitchell Episode: "For Miles and Miles"
1999 Crusade Captain Matthew Gideon 13 episodes
Chicken Soup for the Soul Dad Episode: "Where's My Kiss, Then?"
1999–2004 The Practice Solomon Tager, Attorney Brian Seabury 3 episodes
2000 What About Joan Justin Episode: "You Can't Go Home Again"
Family Law Alan Episode: "Human Error"
Batman Beyond Zeta Voice, episode: "Zeta"[12]
Touched by an Angel Charlie Radcliff Episode: "Pandora's Box"
Frasier Luke Parker Episode: "The New Friend"
2000–2007 Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law Harvey Birdman, additional voices Voice, 39 episodes[12]
2000–present Family Guy Principal Shepherd, additional voices Voice, 82 episodes
2001 Neurotic Tendencies Pilot
Justice League J. Allen Carter Voice, episode: "Secret Origins"[12]
2002, 2004 Teamo Supremo Mr. Vague Voice, 2 episodes
2002 American Adventure Chuck Television film
Cadet Kelly Brigadier General Joe "Sir" Maxwell Television film
The Brady Bunch in the White House Mike Brady Television film
2002–2003 Family Affair Bill Davis 15 episodes
2002–2007 Kim Possible Dr. James Possible Voice, 40 episodes
2003 Criminology 101 Roy Franks Pilot
Hack Johnny Scanlon Episode: "Brothers in Arms"
Monk Dexter Larson Episode: "Mr. Monk Meets the Playboy"
Karen Sisco Konner 2 episodes
Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time Dr. James Possible Voice, television film
2003–2006 The West Wing Vice President Bob Russell 21 episodes
2004 Pop Rocks Jerry "Dagger" Harden Television film
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Xander Henry Episode: "Brotherhood"
2005 Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama Dr. James Possible Voice, television film
Wanted Lieutenant Conrad Rose 13 episodes
King of the Hill Vance Gilbert Voice, episode: "Harlottown"
2006 That Guy Gary Pilot
Company Town Martin Amberson Pilot
Arrested Development CIA Agent Episode: "Exit Strategy"
2007 The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning The Balladeer Voice, television film
Shark Christian Chambers Episode: "Blind Trust"
Supernatural Brad Redding Episode: "Hollywood Babylon"
2008 Good Behavior Dean West Unaired series
12 Miles of Bad Road Jerry Shakespeare 6 episodes
Desperate Housewives Wayne Davis 6 episodes
Psych Commander Cameron Lutz Episode: "Gus Walks Into a Bank"
2008–2010 Entourage Andrew Klein 12 episodes
2008–2011 Chuck Jack Burton 2 episodes
2009 The Cleaner Davis Durham 2 episodes
Numb3rs Shepard Crater Episode: "Hangman"
2010 The Good Guys Frank Savage 2 episodes
The Closer Major Edward Dorcet Episode: "War Zone"
Uncle Nigel Nigel Pilot
Funny or Die Presents Lead FBI Agent Episode: "201"
2010–2012 The Penguins of Madagascar Commissioner McSlade Voice, 4 episodes[12]
2010–2013 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Mayor Fred Jones Sr., additional voices Voice, 21 episodes[12]
2010–2016 The Good Wife Kurt McVeigh 14 episodes
2011 True Blood Earl Stackhouse Episode: "She's Not There"
Curb Your Enthusiasm Joe O'Donnell Episode: "The Divorce"
Ricochet Judge Cato Laird Television film
Tagged James Percy Pilot
Pound Puppies Slick Voice, episode: "I Never Barked for My Father"[12]
2011–2013
2016, 2019 		Suits Cameron Dennis 10 episodes
2012 An Officer and a Murderer Colonel Russell Williams Television film
Hart of Dixie Dr. Ethan Hart 2 episodes
Scruples Royce Franklin Pilot
30 Rock Roger Episode: "Unwindulax"
Royal Pains Simon Braddock Episode: "Who's Your Daddy"
Wedding Band Jack Episode: "We Are Family"
The List Chief Inspector Bob McKinnon Pilot
2012–present Bob's Burgers Sergeant Bosco Voice, 12 episodes[12][14][15][16]
2013–2019 Veep Kent Davison 55 episodes
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2017)
Nominated — Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (2014)
Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2013–2016)
2014 Phineas and Ferb Principal Lang Voice, episode: "Doof 101"[12]
The Legend of Korra Dai Li Sergeant, Rich Man Voice, 2 episodes[12]
2014–2015 Archer Special Agent Hawley Voice, 6 episodes
2014, 2017 The Tom and Jerry Show Narrator Voice, 6 episodes
2014–2017 Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero Brock Zero Voice, 14 episodes[12]
2015 Mr. Robinson Neville Rex Episode: "Flesh for Fantasy"
Rick and Morty Alien Doctor Voice, episode: "Interdimensional Cable 2: Tempting Fate"
2015–2017 F Is for Family Rodger Dunbarton Voice, 6 episodes
2016 Unforgettable Clay Tendler Episode: "Bad Company"
Angel from Hell Stephen Williams Episode: "Believe Me, Part 2"
We Bare Bears CEO Voice, episode: "Fashion Bears"
Justice League Action Black Adam Voice, 2 episodes[12]
Angie Tribeca Professor Everett Lamereau Episode: "Pilot"
2016–2017 Mercy Street James Green Sr. 12 episodes
2017–2018 Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters Mark Armstrong Voice, 10 episodes[12]
2017–2022 The Good Fight Kurt McVeigh 24 episodes
2018 The Venture Bros. Professor Von Helping Voice, episode: "The High Cost of Loathing"[12]
Harvey Birdman: Attorney General Harvey Birdman Voice, television special
2018–2019 Trolls: The Beat Goes On! Sky Toronto Voice, 12 episodes[12]
Chicago Fire Fire Commissioner Carl Grissom 12 episodes
2019 Fam Freddy 7 episodes
Love, Death & Robots The Inspector Voice, episode: "The Dump"[12]
2019–2021 Mixed-ish Harrison Jackson III 36 episodes
2019, 2022 American Dad! Ted Robinson Voice, 2 episodes
2019–2022 Big Mouth Edward MacDell Voice, 7 episodes
2020 Star Trek: Lower Decks Leonardo da Vinci Hologram Voice, episode: "Crisis Point"
2021 Q-Force Dirk Chunley Voice, 10 episodes
2021–2022 Inside Job Male Cop, Sitcom Dad Voice, 2 episodes
2021–present NCIS Alden Parker Main role
2022 NCIS: Hawaiʻi 3 episodes
2023 NCIS: Los Angeles Episode: "A Long Time Coming"
Velma Lamont Rogers Voice, episode: "The Candy (Wo)man"[12]
White House Plumbers Mark Felt Episode: "The Beverly Hills Burglary"
Waco: The Aftermath Gordon Novel 5 episodes
Agent Elvis Richard Nixon Voice, episode: "Maximum Density"[12]

Video games

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Year Title Role
2008 Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law Harvey Birdman, Judge Hiram Mightor
2016 Hitman Himself

Notes

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  1. ^ filed for divorce in 2017, died in 2018

References

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  1. ^ Patricia Trebe (October 6, 2005). "Peggy J. Cole 1930 - 2005 - Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Cole, Gary 1956-". Encyclopedia.com. Cengage. Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  3. ^ Bryant, Adam (December 2006). "Fast-Track Father". Maxim Magazine Online. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved January 23, 2007.
  4. ^ Bonner, Julie (February 28, 2008). "Who will play Katherine's infamous ex". Desperateblog.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  5. ^ "Gary Cole Gets Tagged for Fox Pilot". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on February 15, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  6. ^ Gianatasio, David. "Gary Cole, the Actor You Know From Everything, Is Now the Time-Traveling Spokesguy for Kabbage," Adweek, January 15, 2019. Archived February 9, 2019, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved September 12, 2019
  7. ^ Kennedy, Lauren Paige (February 26, 2009). "Actor Gary Cole Spotlights Autism". WebMD. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  8. ^ Shewfelt, Raechal (June 20, 2017). "'Office Space' Star Gary Cole's Wife of 25 Years Files for Divorce". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  9. ^ "COLE, TEDDI SIDDALL VS COLE, GARY". trellis. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  10. ^ "Find a Service, Grave or Obituary". Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  11. ^ Bowman, Wendy (September 2, 2021). "'Office Space' Star Gary Cole Buys Secluded Bel Air Hideaway". Yahoo. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Gary Cole (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  13. ^ "HRIFF 2015 Program Guide". Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  14. ^ "Listings | TheFutonCritic.com - The Web's Best Television Resource". thefutoncritic.com. February 28, 2012. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  15. ^ "Listings | TheFutonCritic.com - The Web's Best Television Resource". thefutoncritic.com. January 22, 2013. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  16. ^ "Bob's Burgers: I Get Psychic Out of You". TV.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 23, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
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