Gary Cole: 10 Best Movies & TV Shows overview and normalized article

Introduction

Gary Cole is a prolific American character actor whose film and television work spans comedy, drama, and genre projects, often elevating supporting roles into memorable fan favorites.

Gary Cole on screen

Cole has built his reputation by portraying offbeat bosses, flawed authority figures, and eccentric everymen, giving even brief appearances a distinctive presence. His projects range from cult comedies to acclaimed TV dramas, showing a wide range in both tone and style.

Notable movies

The Brady Bunch Movie (1995)

In this satirical update of the classic sitcom, Gary Cole plays architect and family patriarch Mike Brady, recreating the role with a deliberately wholesome, almost exaggerated sincerity that anchors the movie’s absurd humor. His performance captures the original character’s calm optimism while fitting into a more self-aware 1990s comedy style.

Office Space (1999)

Cole’s role as Bill Lumbergh, a passive-aggressive corporate manager, has become one of his most iconic parts, widely recognized and often referenced in pop culture. The character’s detached, bureaucratic attitude turns ordinary office conversations into darkly comic moments that define the film’s view of corporate life.

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)

In this sports comedy, Cole appears as Cotton McKnight, a color commentator whose exaggerated enthusiasm and absurdly serious play-by-play add a layer of parody to the film’s fictional dodgeball tournament. His delivery heightens the contrast between the ridiculous premise and the grand-slam sports broadcast tone.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

Cole portrays Reese Bobby, the reckless and unreliable father of race car driver Ricky Bobby, bringing chaotic energy and rough-edged charm to the role. The character’s questionable parenting and impulsive behavior help both to shape and to undermine the hero’s drive for success.

Other film highlights

In In the Line of Fire, Cole appears as a senior Secret Service agent, adding tension and institutional weight to the political thriller setting.
In A Simple Plan, he contributes to the film’s atmosphere of moral unease surrounding a discovered fortune.

Television success

American Gothic (1995–1996)

In this dark supernatural series, Cole stars as Sheriff Lucas Buck, a seemingly kind small-town lawman who conceals a violent nature and sinister connections to evil forces. His performance combines charm and menace, making the character both magnetic and deeply unsettling.

Entourage (2008–2010)

On Entourage, Cole plays Andrew Klein, an agent and old friend of Ari Gold who joins the agency and quickly becomes involved in intense professional and personal crises. The role lets him balance comedy with dramatic beats involving infidelity and addiction while staying within the show’s glossy, wish-fulfillment tone.

The West Wing (2003–2006)

Cole appears as Vice President Bob Russell, a pragmatic political figure whose presence introduces new alliances and rivalries into the White House drama. His understated style emphasizes backroom negotiation and political calculation rather than overt theatrics.

The Good Wife and follow-ups

Cole plays Kurt McVeigh, a ballistics expert with a reserved demeanor and a strong personal code, recurring in The Good Wife and later in The Good Fight. The character’s quiet competence and complex relationship with one of the leads add depth to both his courtroom appearances and his personal storylines.

Veep and later TV roles

On the political satire Veep, Cole portrays senior strategist Kent Davison, a data-focused adviser whose dry seriousness contrasts with the surrounding chaos. His later work includes a major role on NCIS, further broadening his presence in mainstream network television.

Voice work and animation

Cole has voiced recurring characters in several animated series, including Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, Family Guy, Kim Possible, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Archer, and Bob’s Burgers, as well as animated superhero projects and feature spin-offs. These roles showcase his ability to define distinctive personalities using timing, tone, and vocal nuance alone.

Summary table of key titles

Type	Title	Role / Description
Movie	The Brady Bunch Movie (1995)	Mike Brady, earnest patriarch in a satirical take on the classic sitcom.
Movie	Office Space (1999)	Bill Lumbergh, detached and iconic corporate manager.
Movie	Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)	Cotton McKnight, over-the-top sports commentator.
Movie	Talladega Nights (2006)	Reese Bobby, reckless outlaw father to the racing protagonist.
TV	American Gothic (1995–1996)	Sheriff Lucas Buck, charming yet sinister small-town authority figure.
TV	Entourage (2008–2010)	Andrew Klein, agent dealing with career and personal turmoil.
TV	The West Wing (2003–2006)	Vice President Bob Russell, pragmatic political operator.
TV	The Good Wife / The Good Fight	Kurt McVeigh, ballistics expert with a complex personal life.
TV	Veep	Kent Davison, data-driven political strategist in a satirical setting.
Animation	Various animated series	Multiple recurring voice roles in comedy and superhero projects.

Author’s brief summary

Gary Cole’s ten standout films and series highlight his gift for turning supporting and character roles into unforgettable figures, blending sharp comedy, quiet menace, and grounded drama across genres.

IMDb — 2025-11-29