Gary Cole

Gary Cole is an American actor whose career spans theater, television, and film. Cole began his professional journey on the Chicago stage, joining Steppenwolf Theatre Company and co-founding Remains Theatre Ensemble. This foundation contributed to the dramatic range and discipline evident in his screen work. Cole's early television breakthrough came with the NBC drama series "Midnight Caller," where he starred as Jack Killian, a former police officer turned late-night radio host, earning national recognition.

Cole is known for his work in both dramatic and comedic roles. He gained attention with his lead performance in the true-crime miniseries "Fatal Vision," portraying Army officer Jeffrey MacDonald. His roles as Mike Brady in "The Brady Bunch Movie" and Bill Lumbergh in "Office Space" established him as a prominent figure in comedy, with the Lumbergh character becoming a symbol of corporate middle-management.

Cole's television credits include Sheriff Lucas Buck in "American Gothic," Vice President Bob Russell on "The West Wing," and political strategist Kent Davison on HBO's "Veep." For his work on "Veep," he received an Emmy nomination for supporting actor and, with the cast, won the Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series. His film appearances include "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story," "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," and "Breach."

In addition to on-screen roles, Cole has an extensive career as a voice actor, contributing to animated series such as "Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law," "Kim Possible," and "Family Guy." He joined the procedural drama "NCIS" as Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker, taking on a lead role in the long-running franchise. With more than 178 credits and a Carney Award for achievement in character acting, Cole's work in film, television, and voice acting continues to engage audiences across genres.