Gary Cole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gary Cole
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Cole at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.
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Gary Michael Cole
September 20, 1956 Park Ridge, Illinois, U.S.
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| Education | Illinois State University (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1983–present |
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| Children | 1 |
Gary Michael Cole (born September 20, 1956) is an American actor. He started his acting journey on stage in Chicago in 1985. Gary Cole became well-known in the late 1980s for his role as Jack 'Nighthawk' Killian in the TV show Midnight Caller.
He has also had important roles in many other TV series. These include American Gothic, The West Wing, The Good Wife, Veep, and NCIS. Gary Cole also starred in movies like The Brady Bunch Movie and Office Space. He has lent his voice to characters in popular animated shows. Some of these are Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, Family Guy, Kim Possible, and Bob's Burgers.
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Early Life and Education
Gary Michael Cole was born on September 20, 1956. His birthplace was Park Ridge, Illinois, in the United States. He grew up in a nearby town called Rolling Meadows. His father, Robert, worked as a finance director for the city. His mother, Margaret, was a school administrative assistant. Gary also has an older sister named Nancy.
While attending Rolling Meadows High School, Gary Cole discovered his love for acting. His very first role was playing Snoopy in a school play. It was a musical called You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. After high school, Gary went to Illinois State University. There, he studied theater alongside other students who would also become famous actors.
Acting Career Highlights
Gary Cole began his professional acting career in 1983. He started as a stage actor in Chicago. In 1985, he joined the famous Steppenwolf Theatre Company. One of his early TV roles was in the mini-series Fatal Vision. He also performed in several plays in New York City.
Gary Cole is known for his voice acting in many animated series. He has voiced characters in Family Guy, Kim Possible, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, and Archer. He also had a recurring role as Vice President Bob Russell in the drama series The West Wing. He played Captain Matthew Gideon in the show Crusade. He also made guest appearances on shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Arrested Development.
From 1988 to 1991, Gary Cole became very popular on TV. This was because he played Jack "Nighthawk" Killian in the series Midnight Caller. In 1999, he starred in the movie Office Space. In this film, he played Bill Lumbergh, a boss who liked to control every small detail. People often quote lines from this character. Gary said that it's nice when people remember his work.
He also played Mike Brady in The Brady Bunch Movie in 1995. He returned for the sequel, A Very Brady Sequel, in 1996. He also played the role in the 2002 TV movie The Brady Bunch in the White House.
Gary Cole has appeared in many other films and TV shows. These include Talladega Nights and Pineapple Express. He also played Wayne, Katherine Mayfair's ex-husband, on Desperate Housewives. In 2008, he appeared on Chuck as Sarah's father. He also joined the cast of HBO's Entourage.
He played Kurt McVeigh, a ballistics expert, on The Good Wife and The Good Fight. In both shows, he acted alongside Christine Baranski. In 2013, Gary Cole started a recurring role on Suits. He played Cameron Dennis, a former mentor to one of the main characters. Also in 2013, he began a major role as Kent Davison on the HBO comedy series Veep. For his work on Veep, he was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2014. He also won a Screen Actors Guild Award with his castmates in 2017.
Currently, Gary Cole voices Sergeant Bosco on Bob's Burgers. He also voices Principal Shepherd on Family Guy. Since 2021, he has been a main character on the popular TV series NCIS, playing Alden Parker. He has also appeared as Alden Parker in NCIS: Hawaiʻi and NCIS: Los Angeles.
Personal Life
Gary Cole married actress Teddi Siddall on March 8, 1992. They had one daughter together. Teddi Siddall passed away in 2018. On July 7, 2021, Gary Cole married Michelle Knapp, an interior designer.
Selected Film and Television Roles
Gary Cole has had a long and successful career. He has appeared in over 80 films and more than 100 television shows. Here are some of his notable roles:
Films
- The Brady Bunch Movie (1995) as Mike Brady
- Office Space (1999) as Bill Lumbergh
- One Hour Photo (2002) as Bill Owens
- Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004) as "Cotton" McKnight
- Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) as Reese Bobby
- Pineapple Express (2008) as Ted Jones
- Hop (2011) as Henry O'Hare
- Blockers (2018) as Ron
- The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019) as Don Kitch
- The Bob's Burgers Movie (2022) as Sergeant Bosco (voice)
Television Series
- Midnight Caller (1988–1991) as Jack 'Nighthawk' Killian
- American Gothic (1995–1996) as Sheriff Lucas Buck
- From the Earth to the Moon (1998) as Edgar Mitchell
- Crusade (1999) as Captain Matthew Gideon
- Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law (2000–2007) as Harvey Birdman (voice)
- Family Guy (2000–present) as Principal Shepherd (voice)
- Kim Possible (2002–2007) as Dr. James Possible (voice)
- The West Wing (2003–2006) as Vice President Bob Russell
- Wanted (2005) as Lieutenant Conrad Rose
- Desperate Housewives (2008) as Wayne Davis
- Entourage (2008–2010) as Andrew Klein
- The Good Wife (2010–2016) as Kurt McVeigh
- Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010–2013) as Mayor Fred Jones Sr. (voice)
- Bob's Burgers (2012–present) as Sergeant Bosco (voice)
- Veep (2013–2019) as Kent Davison
- Archer (2014–2015) as Special Agent Hawley (voice)
- The Good Fight (2017–2022) as Kurt McVeigh
- Chicago Fire (2018–2019) as Fire Commissioner Carl Grissom
- Mixed-ish (2019–2021) as Harrison Jackson III
- NCIS (2021–present) as Alden Parker
See also
In Spanish: Gary Cole para niños
