Best known for his role as Bill Lumbergh, the overbearing boss in the 1999 film, Office Space, American actor Gary Michael Cole came into this world in September 1956. In 1985, he made his theatrical acting debut with Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. His breakthrough role came from the 1988–1991 NBC series Midnight Caller, in which he played Jack “Nighthawk” Killian.
Further notable television appearances include the following: Vice President Bob Russell in The West Wing (2003–2006), Sheriff Lucas Buck in American Gothic (1995–1996), Kurt McVeigh in The Good Wife (2010–2016) and The Good Fight (2017–2022), Kent Davison in Veep (2013–2019), and Special Agent Alden Parker in NCIS (2020–present). Cole is a voice actor with a long list of credits, including several voice roles in animated series including Family Guy (2000–present), Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010–2013), Mayor Fred Jones Sr. (2002–2007), Bob’s Burgers (2012–present), and Harvey Birdman (2000–2007, 2018).

Gary Cole has also made cameos in films such as Pineapple Express (2008), 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 more.

 Facts about Gary Cole

1. Gary Cole’s Early Life and Education

Gary Michael Cole was born on September 20, 1956, in Park Ridge, Illinois, and spent his childhood in Rolling Meadows, a nearby neighborhood. Margaret, alias “Peggy,” was an administrative assistant at a school, and Robert oversaw the city’s budget. Nancy is the older sister of Cole.

Cole first appeared onstage as Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, a Charlie Brown musical put on by Rolling Meadows High School under the direction of Clark Gesner. Cole went to Illinois State University and studied theater with John Malkovich and Laurie Metcalf, who would go on to be actors.

2. Gary Cole’s Professional Life

Cole started performing professionally in 1983 on Chicago’s stage, and in 1985 he became a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s ensemble. Cole made his acting debut in the miniseries Fatal Vision, playing the part of Capt. Jeffrey MacDonald, who was accused of killing three people in the Army. Several of Cole’s New York City appearances have been in off-Broadway shows. In addition to his regular role as Vice President Bob Russell on the drama The West Wing, he has provided voice work for other animated shows, including Family Guy, Kim Possible, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, and Archer. In addition to his recurring roles on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Arrested Development, he played the role of Captain Matthew Gideon in the Babylon 5 spin-off Crusade, which aired for just one season. He was also in DCOM Cadet Kelly as Joe Maxwell; and From the Earth to the Moon, HBO’s dramatization of Project Apollo, where he portrayed Edgar Mitchell, a real-life astronaut. The 1991 TV movie Son of the Morning Star, in which he played the part of Lt. Col. George A. Custer, was a critical and commercial success.

Cole rose to TV fame from 1988 to 1991 because of his portrayal of Jack “Nighthawk” Killian on Midnight Caller. He went on to star in the 1999 film, Office Space where he depicted Bill Lumbergh, an overbearing office boss. He portrayed Mike Brady, patriarch of The Brady Bunch, in three feature films: The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), A Very Brady Sequel (1996), and The Brady Bunch in the White House (2002).

Cole had several notable roles, including those of Lieutenant Conrad Rose on Wanted (TNT), Harvey Birdman in Adult Swim, and Sheriff Lucas Buck in  the 1995 single season serie American Gothic. Amongst Cole cinematic credits are Forever Strong, American Pastime, and Talladega Nights.

Cole has appeared in Pineapple Express with Seth Rogen and James Franco as the menacing drug king Ted Jones, and he portrayed Wayne, Katherine Mayfair’s ex-husband on Desperate Housewives. As S.W.A.T. commander Cameron Luntz, he made an appearance in an episode of Psych from the third season, which aired on the USA Network. In the film One Hour Photo, Cole portrayed Bill Owens, who was Sy Parrish’s (Robin Williams) supervisor.

In “Chuck Versus the DeLorean” (2008) and “Chuck Versus the Wedding Planner” (2011), Cole plays the character of Sarah’s con artist father Chuck. Before becoming a regular cast member for the Khatron Ke Khiladi (KKK season), he had a three-episode role in season five of HBO’s Entourage as Ari Gold’s former friend Andrew Klein.

He was Kurt McVeigh, the ballistics specialist in The Good Wife and The Good Fight. He co-starred with Christine Baranski, who portrayed Sookie Stackhouse’s grandpa, in both performances. Cole was a cast member on the 2011 Fox comedy pilot Tagged, however the project was ultimately scrapped.

Cole started appearing in recurrent roles on Suits in 2013 as Cameron Dennis, who played the role of Harvey Specter’s mentor. In 2013, Cole also joined the main cast of the HBO comedy series Veep, where he played the character of Kent Davison, beginning with the second season. He received a Primetime Emmy nomination for his performance in season three of the comedy series in 2014 for Outstanding Guest Actor. In the second, third, fourth and fifth season, Cole and the rest of the ensemble were nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series; season 6 saw them take home the trophy in 2017.

At the moment, Cole may be heard lending his voice to the characters of Bob’s Burgers’ Sergeant Boscoe and Family Guy’s Principal Shepherd. He made a triple appearance in Kabbage‘s 2019 advertising campaign, playing the roles of 10 Minutes, 10 Days, and 10 Years in the Future Spokesguy.

Gary Cole Movies and TV shows

3. Gary Cole Movies

1. Office Space (1999) – Bill Lumbergh

2. The Brady Bunch Movie (1995) – Mike Brady

3. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) – Reese Bobby

4. Pineapple Express (2008) – Ted Jones

5. A Simple Plan (1998) – Neil Baxter

6. In the Line of Fire (1993) – Secret Service Agent-In-Charge

7. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004) – Cotton McKnight

8. One Hour Photo (2002) – Bill Owens

9. The Gift (2000) – David Duncan

10. Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004) – Henry Futch

4. Gary Cole Television Shows

11. Veep (2012-2019) – Kent Davison

12. The West Wing (2003-2006) – Vice President Bob Russell

13. Suits (2017-2018) – Cameron Dennis

14. Midnight Caller (1988-1991)- Jack “Nighthawk” Killian

15. Desperate Housewives (2007-2012) – Wayne Davis

16. Chicago Fire (2014-2015) – Chief Carl Grissom

17. The Good Wife (2010-2016) – Kurt McVeigh

18. Family Guy (1999-2022) – Various voices

19. American Gothic (1995-1996) – Sheriff Lucas Buck

20. Mercy Street (2016-2017) – James Green, Sr.

Gary Cole’s performance in NCIS has been highly praised, and fans were pleased to know that he returned for season 21. It is important to clarify that there was a recent internet hoax regarding Gary Cole, but it has been debunked as completely false. Rest assured, the actor is alive and in good health.

5. Religious Beliefs

Gary’s religious beliefs are unknown.

6. Gay or Straight?

Gary Cole is not gay. Teddi Siddall was his first wife with whom he tied the knot in 1992.

7. Gary Cole Girlfriend, Wife & Kids

Although Gary Cole plays roles on screen, Teddi Siddall created a name for herself in the acting world. Before they decided to go seperate ways, the couple were married for at least 25 years. They had a daughter named Mary Cole, who is also an actress. Gary and Teddi divorced in 2017. In the latter part of 2018, Teddi passed away without the reason for her death being disclosed. Three years after Siddall passed on, Gary got into an intimate relationship with Michelle Knapp who is an interior designer. 

8. Gary Cole age and body Measurements

The Office Space star will be 68 years old on on September 20, 2024. He has short gray hair and blue eyes, is 6ft (1.83m) tall, and weighs roughly 170lbs (77kgs).

9. Gary Cole Recognition and Awards

No one in the entertainment business has overlooked Cole’s achievements. His performances have garnered critical praise and several prizes. Both reviewers and fans have praised his commitment to his profession and his talent for giving life to intricate characters.

10. Gary Cole Net Worth

Gary Cole is a voice actor and American actor with a net worth of $5 million. 

Did You Know That?

• In their college days, Gary Cole and John Malkovich were classmates.
• On both sides of the stage, from Chicago to off-Broadway in New York, Gary has featured in multiple award-winning productions.
• At just two years old and four months, Mary, the daughter of Gary Cole, was diagnosed with autism. In 2007, at the age of 14, she started showing significant improvement in response to education, treatment, and the companionship of a special friend – a dog named Tattinger. Cole shared his journey in the anthology “Love Heels: Tales from Canine Companions for Independence.” While autism may not have a cure, it is highly manageable with the right treatment and support. Thanks to the dedication of her loving parents, Mary is now thriving and living a normal life.
• The CSI star William Petersen has maintained relationship with Gary Cole for many years.
• The Magnolia Club performance at Novel Ventures Ltd. Theatre earned him a nomination for a 1981 Joseph Jefferson Award For Cameo Performance in Chicago, Illinois.
• He gained membership in the Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble in 1985.
• His role in The Tooth of Crime earned him a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination at Remains Theatre in Chicago back in 1982.
• Alongside a talented cast including Jim Beaver, Annette Bening, Christopher Sweeney, Laura Dern, and Michael Conner Humphreys, Gary Cole starred in the theatrical play If All the Sky Were Paper narrated by Garrett Schweighauser.
• While at Illinois State University, Gary Cole bonded with fellow actors such as Laurie Metcalf.
• In a close competition, Don Johnson & Philip Michael Thomas were chosen over Cole and Jimmy Smits to play Crockett & Tubbs in Miami Vice (1984).
• In 1987, he received the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for his performance in Bang at Steppenwolf Theatre in Illinois.
• The honor of being named a Distinguished Alumnus at Rolling Meadows High School was given to him.

Summary

The level of success that Gary Cole has achieved in his acting career is truly impressive. As an actor, he loves what he does and has found considerable success in it. The only things that have gotten him this far are his perseverance, focus, and hard work.

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