Sep 20, 1956

Park Ridge, Illinois, USA

Gary M. Cole (born September 20, 1956) is an American actor, known for numerous roles, including the television series Fatal Vision, The West Wing, Midnight Caller, Kim Possible, Arrested Development, American Gothic, Wanted and Crusade, and the films Office Space, In the Line of Fire, Kiss the Sky, Dodgeball, The Brady Bunch Movie, A Very Brady Sequel, One Hour Photo, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and Breach. He has also appeared in TV movies such as Those She Left Behind. He als... ... (read more...) o had a small cameo appearance in To Live and Die in L.A., and appeared as George Armstrong Custer in the TV movie Son of the Morning Star.<br/><br/>


Cole was born in Park Ridge, Illinois to a school administrator father and a director of finance mother. He attended Rolling Meadows High School, where his first dramatic appearance was as Snoopy in a high school production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Cole then attended Illinois State University, majoring in theater alongside actors Laurie Metcalf and John Malkovich. <br/><br/>



Cole began his professional career as a stage actor in Chicago. He also appeared in several off-Broadway productions in New York City. In addition to his film and television credits listed above, Cole has done voice work on several animated series (Family Guy, Kim Possible, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law) and had a recurring role on the drama The West Wing as Vice President Bob Russell. He also starred as Captain Matthew Gideon on the short-lived Babylon 5 spin-off Crusade, and had notable guest appearances on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Arrested Development. He also played as Joe Maxwell on DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) Cadet Kelly and appeared as real-life astronaut Edgar Mitchell in HBO's recreation of Project Apollo, From the Earth to the Moon. <br/><br/>

Cole is remembered for the comedy film Office Space where he plays the annoying boss Lumbergh. "I knew the movie was actually some kind of success because people were coming up doing some lines from the movie."<br/><br/>

He starred as Lt. Conrad Rose on the TNT series Wanted and is the voice of the title character on the Adult Swim series Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law. Most recently, Cole was featured in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. He is also starring in the upcoming Forever Strong. Cole has also recently appeared in the film American Pastime in which he plays a minor league baseball player, who is assigned as a guard at the Topaz Internment Camp during World War II.<br/><br/>