Gary Cole

Last updated

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

(1956-09-20) September 20, 1956 (age 68)
Education Illinois 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).

Contents

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 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

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

Cole in 2009 GaryColeJan09.jpg
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

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

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1985 To Live and Die in L.A. Man Chased By Richard ChanceUncredited
1986 Lucas Assistant Coach
1990The Old Man and the SeaTom 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
1997Santa FePaul Thomas
Gang Related DEA Agent Richard Simms
Cyclops, BabyManks
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
2007My Wife Is RetardedDr. Heichman Short film
American Pastime Billy Burrell
Breach Rich Garces
Goodnight VaginaDr. MilsteinShort film
2008Say Hello to Stan TalmadgeStan Talmadge
Conspiracy Rhodes
Pineapple Express Ted Jones
Forever Strong Coach Larry Gelwix
2009 Extract Bar PatronUncredited
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, GuardVoice, direct-to-video
Immortality BitesDr. Levine
2011 Hop Henry O'Hare
The Chicago 8 Bill Kunstler
The Last Rites of Joe May Lenny
2013Vamp UArthur Levine
2014 Date and Switch Dwayne
Tammy Earl
CottonClay PeaksHollywood 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
2016Hot AirAviator
2017 Small Crimes Dan Pleasant
Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown RafeVoice, 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 YoungAaron
2020 Darkness Falls Mark Witver
2021 Batman: Death in the Family James Gordon, Two-Face, Reporter #4Voice, short film [12]
2022 The Bob's Burgers Movie Sergeant BoscoVoice
Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe Phil MattisonVoice [12]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1983Heart of SteelLeeTelevision film
1984 Fatal Vision Captain Jeffrey MacDonald, MDMiniseries
American Playhouse Man With Xmas TreeEpisode: "A Matter of Principle"
1985First StepsMannyTelevision film
The Twilight Zone Daniel GaddisEpisode: "Her Pilgrim Soul"
1986Vital SignsDr. HaywardTelevision film
Miami Vice Jackson CraneEpisode: "Trust Fund Pirates"
Jack and Mike Chris SykesEpisode: "Pilot"
1987 Moonlighting Alan McClafferty2 episodes
Echoes in the Darkness Jack HoltzTelevision film
1988–1991 Midnight Caller Jack 'Nighthawk' Killian61 episodes
1989 Those She Left Behind Scott GrimesTelevision film
1990 The Old Man and the Sea Tom PruittTelevision film
1991 Son of the Morning Star George Armstrong Custer Television film
1993The SwitchLarry McAfeeTelevision film
When Love Kills: The Seduction of John HearnJohn HearnTelevision film
1994 A Time to Heal Jay BartonTelevision film
Twilight Zone: Rod Serling's Lost Classics JamesTelevision film
Fall from GraceMajor Tom O'NeillTelevision film
1995–1996 American Gothic Sheriff Lucas Buck22 episodes
1996 For My Daughter's Honor Pete NashTelevision film
1997Lies He ToldDaveTelevision film
1998 Dead Man's Gun Travis Everett ThornberryEpisode: "The Photographer"
The Outer Limits Detective Ray VenableEpisode: "Criminal Nature"
From the Earth to the Moon Edgar Mitchell Episode: "For Miles and Miles"
1999 Crusade Captain Matthew Gideon13 episodes
Chicken Soup for the SoulDadEpisode: "Where's My Kiss, Then?"
1999–2004 The Practice Solomon Tager, Attorney Brian Seabury3 episodes
2000 What About Joan JustinEpisode: "You Can't Go Home Again"
Family Law AlanEpisode: "Human Error"
Batman Beyond ZetaVoice, episode: "Zeta" [12]
Touched by an Angel Charlie RadcliffEpisode: "Pandora's Box"
Frasier Luke ParkerEpisode: "The New Friend"
2000–2007 Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law Harvey Birdman, additional voicesVoice, 39 episodes [12]
2000–present Family Guy Principal Shepherd, additional voicesVoice, 93 episodes
2001Neurotic TendenciesPilot
Justice League J. Allen CarterVoice, episode: "Secret Origins" [12]
2002, 2004 Teamo Supremo Mr. VagueVoice, 2 episodes
2002American AdventureChuckTelevision film
Cadet Kelly Brigadier General Joe "Sir" MaxwellTelevision film
The Brady Bunch in the White House Mike BradyTelevision film
2002–2003 Family Affair Bill Davis15 episodes
2002–2007 Kim Possible Dr. James PossibleVoice, 40 episodes
2003Criminology 101Roy FranksPilot
Hack Johnny ScanlonEpisode: "Brothers in Arms"
Monk Dexter LarsonEpisode: "Mr. Monk Meets the Playboy"
Karen Sisco Konner2 episodes
Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time Dr. James PossibleVoice, television film
2003–2006 The West Wing Vice President Bob Russell21 episodes
2004 Pop Rocks Jerry "Dagger" HardenTelevision film
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Xander HenryEpisode: "Brotherhood"
2005 Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama Dr. James PossibleVoice, television film
Wanted Lieutenant Conrad Rose13 episodes
King of the Hill Vance GilbertVoice, episode: "Harlottown"
2006That GuyGaryPilot
Company TownMartin AmbersonPilot
Arrested Development CIA AgentEpisode: "Exit Strategy"
2007 The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning The BalladeerVoice, television film
Shark Christian ChambersEpisode: "Blind Trust"
Supernatural Brad ReddingEpisode: "Hollywood Babylon"
2008Good BehaviorDean WestUnaired series
12 Miles of Bad Road Jerry Shakespeare6 episodes
Desperate Housewives Wayne Davis6 episodes
Psych Commander Cameron LutzEpisode: "Gus Walks Into a Bank"
2008–2010 Entourage Andrew Klein12 episodes
2008, 2011 Chuck Jack Burton2 episodes
2009 The Cleaner Davis Durham2 episodes
Numb3rs Shepard CraterEpisode: "Hangman"
2010 The Good Guys Frank Savage2 episodes
The Closer Major Edward DorcetEpisode: "War Zone"
Uncle NigelNigelPilot
Funny or Die Presents Lead FBI AgentEpisode: "201"
2010–2012 The Penguins of Madagascar Commissioner McSladeVoice, 4 episodes [12]
2010–2013 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Mayor Fred Jones Sr., additional voicesVoice, 21 episodes [12]
2010–2016 The Good Wife Kurt McVeigh14 episodes
2011 True Blood Earl StackhouseEpisode: "She's Not There"
Curb Your Enthusiasm Joe O'DonnellEpisode: "The Divorce"
RicochetJudge Cato LairdTelevision film
TaggedJames PercyPilot
Pound Puppies SlickVoice, episode: "I Never Barked for My Father" [12]
2011–2013
2016, 2019
Suits Cameron Dennis10 episodes
2012 An Officer and a Murderer Colonel Russell Williams Television film
Hart of Dixie Dr. Ethan Hart2 episodes
ScruplesRoyce FranklinPilot
30 Rock RogerEpisode: "Unwindulax"
Royal Pains Simon BraddockEpisode: "Who's Your Daddy"
Wedding Band JackEpisode: "We Are Family"
The ListChief Inspector Bob McKinnonPilot
2012–present Bob's Burgers Sergeant BoscoVoice, 13 episodes [12] [14] [15] [16]
2013–2019 Veep Kent Davison55 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 LangVoice, episode: "Doof 101" [12]
The Legend of Korra Dai Li Sergeant, Rich ManVoice, 2 episodes [12]
2014–2015 Archer Special Agent HawleyVoice, 6 episodes
2014–2021 The Tom and Jerry Show NarratorVoice, 38 episodes
2014–2017 Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero Brock ZeroVoice, 14 episodes [12]
2015 Mr. Robinson Neville RexEpisode: "Flesh for Fantasy"
Rick and Morty Alien DoctorVoice, episode: "Interdimensional Cable 2: Tempting Fate"
2015–2017 F Is for Family Roger DunbartonVoice, 6 episodes
2016 Unforgettable Clay TendlerEpisode: "Bad Company"
Angel from Hell Stephen WilliamsEpisode: "Believe Me, Part 2"
We Bare Bears CEOVoice, episode: "Fashion Bears"
Justice League Action Black Adam Voice, 2 episodes [12]
Angie Tribeca Professor Everett LamereauEpisode: "Pilot"
2016–2017 Mercy Street James Green Sr.12 episodes
2017–2018 Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters Mark ArmstrongVoice, 10 episodes [12]
2017–2022 The Good Fight Kurt McVeigh24 episodes
2018 The Venture Bros. Professor Von HelpingVoice, episode: "The High Cost of Loathing" [12]
Harvey Birdman: Attorney General Harvey BirdmanVoice, television special
2018–2019 Trolls: The Beat Goes On! Sky TorontoVoice, 12 episodes [12]
Chicago Fire Fire Commissioner Carl Grissom12 episodes
2019 Fam Freddy7 episodes
Love, Death & Robots The InspectorVoice, episode: "The Dump" [12]
2019–2021 Mixed-ish Harrison Jackson III36 episodes
2019, 2022 American Dad! Ted RobinsonVoice, 2 episodes
2019–2023 Big Mouth Edward MacDellVoice, 8 episodes
2020 Star Trek: Lower Decks Leonardo da Vinci HologramVoice, episode: "Crisis Point"
2021 Q-Force Dirk ChunleyVoice, 10 episodes
2021–2022 Inside Job Male Cop, Sitcom DadVoice, 2 episodes
2021–present NCIS Alden Parker Main role
2022 NCIS: Hawaiʻi 3 episodes
2023 NCIS: Los Angeles Episode: "A Long Time Coming"
White House Plumbers Mark Felt Episode: "The Beverly Hills Burglary"
Waco: The Aftermath Gordon Novel5 episodes
Agent Elvis Richard Nixon Voice, episode: "Maximum Density" [12]
2023–2024 Velma Lamont RogersVoice, 13 episodes [12]
2025 Krapopolis King of the ValleyVoice, episode: "Don Tyxote"

Video games

YearTitleRole
2008 Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law Harvey Birdman, Judge Hiram Mightor
2016 Hitman Himself

Notes

  1. filed for divorce in 2017, died in 2018

References

  1. Trebe, Patricia (October 6, 2005). "Peggy J. Cole 1930 - 2005 - Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune . Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  2. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "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.