Gary Cole

About

Gary Michael Cole (born September 20, 1956) is an American actor. Cole began his professional acting career on stage at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 1985. His breakout role on screen was playing Jack “Nighthawk” Killian in the NBC drama series Midnight Caller (1988–1991). Further prominent television roles includes American Gothic (1995–1996), The West Wing (2003–2006), The Good Wife (2010–2016), Veep (2013–2019), and NCIS (2021–present). Cole starred in the films The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), Office Space (1999) and One Hour Photo (2002); and voiced characters in the animated series Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law (2000–2007, 2018), Family Guy (2000–present), Kim Possible (2002–2007), Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010–2013), and Bob’s Burgers (2012–present).

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. 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…