GARY COLE

Date of Birth: September 20, 1956

Versatile actor Gary Cole has played everything from psychopathic serial killers to lighthearted fathers in a career that has spanned over four decades.

Cole's first performance was a silent one as Snoopy in a high school production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. The role as Brown's four-legged companion sparked a passion for acting in Cole, which inspired him to study theater at Illinois State University.

After graduating, Cole began his professional acting career in Chicago, where he co-founded The Remains Theatre Ensemble. In his stage career, Cole has appeared in numerous award-winning productions in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and San Diego.

In 1985, Cole was nearly cast in the television show Miami Vice, but was edged out by Don Johnson for the iconic role of Detective Sonny Crocket. Despite not landing the starring role, Cole made an appearance on the show in 1986 and has also been seen in shows like Midnight Caller, American Gothic, The Outer Limits, Arrested Development, The West Wing and Desperate Housewives. Cole has also lent his voice to the animated series Kim Possible and Family Guy.

Cole made his feature film debut in an uncredited role in To Live and Die in L.A. (1985). He followed with a string of small roles in television movies before landing his breakout role in the Wolfgang Peterson-directed In The Line of Fire (1993). Cole then starred in a series of films including The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), Gang Related (1997), A Simple Plan (1998), Office Space (1999), One Hour Photo (2002), Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004), Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004), Breach (2007) and the Judd Apatow-produced Pineapple Express.