Gary Cole
A member of the Baby Boomer generation, Gary Cole was born in 1956 in Park Ridge, Illinois, USA and went on to become a celebrated Actor.
Gary Michael Cole (born September 20, 1956) is an American stage and screen actor, best known for his supporting roles in numerous television and film productions such as Jack "Nighthawk" Killian in Midnight Caller or as Bill Lumbergh in Office Space. In 1984, he played the lead role of Green Beret Army Officer Jeffrey MacDonald, along with Karl Malden and Eva Marie Saint, in the true crime TV mini-series Fatal Vision, based on the book of the same name. Based on the real-life murders of the w
"Gary Cole's career is marked by his extraordinary versatility and reliability as a character actor." — About Gary Cole
| Metric | Gary Cole | Avg Actor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 69 | 53 | +16 yrs |
| Career length | 51 yrs | ~35 yrs | +16 yrs |
| Based on 4322 Actor profiles in our database | |||
See also
Facts about Gary Cole
Did you know that Gary Cole is one of the few actors to have appeared in both The West Wing and Veep, playing significant political roles in both acclaimed series?
- He voiced the titular character in the Adult Swim animated series Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law.
- Cole has played multiple real-life figures, including Jeffrey MacDonald in Fatal Vision and John F. Kennedy in The West Wing.
- Despite his iconic role as Bill Lumbergh, Cole initially improvised many of the character's famous lines, like "mmmkay."
- He guest-starred on The Brady Bunch as a high school student in 1970, years before his breakthrough roles.
- His recurring role as Kent Davison on Veep earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor.
Gary Cole's career is marked by his extraordinary versatility and reliability as a character actor. From his chilling lead performance in the true-crime miniseries Fatal Vision to his iconic, understated portrayal of Bill Lumbergh in Office Space, he consistently delivers memorable performances across drama, comedy, and animation. His ability to seamlessly transition between such diverse roles has made him a highly sought-after talent in Hollywood for decades.
Gary Cole's legacy is defined by his prolific output and his remarkable skill in creating enduring, often subtly comedic or intensely dramatic, supporting characters that resonate with audiences. He is a master of understated performances, leaving a lasting mark on both television and film as a quintessential character actor.