Last updated on: October 8, 2025
You know that moment when you’re watching TV, a familiar face pops up, and you think, “Wait, where do I know him from?” That’s Gary Cole. He’s the kind of actor who sneaks up on you—not because he blends in, but because he’s so good at making every role his own.
I’ll admit, the first time I noticed him was in Office Space—that unforgettable boss with the coffee mug. But once I started paying attention, I realized Gary Cole has been in some of the best TV shows of the past three decades. Drama. Comedy. Even creepy supernatural thrillers. He’s done it all.
So, let’s discuss the five TV shows where Gary Cole didn’t merely play a role—he owned it. By the end, you may find yourself serial listing his shows for your next binge-watch.
Gary Cole’s Journey: From Stage to Primetime
Gary Cole didn’t quite fall into the television spotlight. He worked for it. Like most great actors, he began on stage before transitioning to television. He had his breakthrough in 1988 during Midnight Caller, and from there, his career never really wavered.
What I admire about Cole is that he is not hesitant to gamble. He’s a haunted ex-cop one minute. He’s a sleazy sheriff the next. Then—wham—he’s making us laugh in a political comedy like Veep. Not many actors can do that sort of diversity without finding themselves in the wrong place, but Cole manages.
And perhaps that’s the reason he’s so great at TV. With television programs, you have time to strip away the layers of an actor. Cole excels in that arena. You witness his characters grow, surprise you, and sometimes even frighten you. That’s the type of performance that lingers.
The Top 5 Gary Cole TV Shows
1. Midnight Caller (1988–1991)
Imagine this: late-night talk radio, late ’80s. The phones are ringing, folks are spilling secrets, and at the mic is Jack “Nighthawk” Killian, played by Gary Cole. A tragic past still lingers in his heart, a former police officer, but he’s channeled that anguish into something positive by leading callers through their darkest moments.
This was Cole’s breakthrough role, and you can understand why. He wasn’t simply playing the part—he was holding up the show. The show addressed tough subjects—AIDS, drug addiction, gang violence—subjects that television wasn’t always bold enough to address at the time. And Cole portrayed Killian as more than a tough guy. He showed us vulnerability, guilt, and heart.
Watching Midnight Caller is like listening in on somebody else’s therapy session—gritty and honest. It’s where Gary Cole showed he could be the leading man, rather than another face in the bunch.
2. American Gothic (1995–1996)
Now let’s turn things around. Rather than being the hero, Cole played the villain in American Gothic. He was Sheriff Lucas Buck, the sort of small-town sheriff you never wanted to get on the wrong side of. On the outside, he was charming—smiling, courteous, near-fatherly. But inside? Rotten to the core, with just enough supernatural threat to have you wondering if he wasn’t even human.
This series didn’t survive long—only one season—but it flamed brightly. Cole’s acting is why we still remember it. He rendered Lucas Buck unforgettably by playing him with a subtle intensity that was more frightening than hammy theatrics. Imagine it this way: he was the type of bad guy who’d serve you a glass of sweet tea while scheming your destruction.
Although American Gothic never received the run it was due, Cole’s effort here demonstrated that he could dominate a story not by yelling, but by smiling. Creepy? Yes. Brilliant? Absolutely.
3. The West Wing (2003–2006)
If you’re into political dramas, you’ve probably crossed paths with Gary Cole as Vice President Bob Russell in The West Wing.
Now, let’s be honest—Russell wasn’t the flashiest character on the show. He wasn’t fiery or dramatic. But that’s exactly why Cole nailed it.
Russell was the type of politician whom people underestimated, the “safe” option who moved quietly into position. And Cole treated him with a steady hand, presenting us with a picture of a man who wasn’t necessarily a hero or a villain but something in between—a pragmatist.
What I remember most about his character in The West Wing was the way he commanded a room full of heavy-hitting actors. He didn’t have to yell to be heard. He simply… fit. You saw, in watching him, the sort of politician who succeeds in the real world—not tawdry, not sensational, just brilliant and strategic.
4. Veep (2013–2019)
That’s where Gary Cole turned the switch again. Veep presented him with an opportunity to demonstrate his comedic skills, and boy, did he deliver.
He was Kent Davison, the President’s senior advisor, a man fixated on numbers, data, and political odds.
What made Kent so funny wasn’t that he told jokes—it was that he didn’t. Cole delivered every line with such deadpan seriousness that it became hilarious. Picture someone reading complicated statistics with the intensity of a Shakespearean monologue, and you’ve got Kent.
Cole’s acting was so excellent that he turned out to be one of the show’s most iconic characters, even in an already impressive cast headed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Perfectly timed, awkwardly relatable, and horribly serious, to the point of being hysterical—that’s the charm of Cole.
5. The Good Wife / The Good Fight (2010–2022)
Finally, let’s discuss Kurt McVeigh. In The Good Wife and subsequently The Good Fight, Cole portrayed a ballistics expert who just so happened to fall in love with Diane Lockhart, one of television’s strongest attorneys (played by Christine Baranski).
Kurt wasn’t flashy. He didn’t dominate the courtroom drama. But he added something the show lacked: warmth.
Their relationship was one of TV’s most fascinating opposites-attract dynamics. She was a liberal force to be reckoned with. He was a conservative sharpshooter. On paper, it didn’t make sense. But on television? It was magical.
Audiences adored their chemistry so much that Cole just kept returning, ultimately becoming a regular part of The Good Fight. His turn as Kurt introduced us to another aspect of Gary Cole—the rock-solid, reliable partner who anchored high-wire drama with quiet wit.
Honorable Mentions
Five shows don’t even begin to encapsulate all of Gary Cole’s work on television. A couple more get a brief shout-out:
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NCIS – Stepping into the large shoes of Mark Harmon, Cole now stars as Agent Alden Parker. Calm, authoritative, but with just enough wit to keep it fresh.
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Entourage – As Andrew Klein, Cole starred as an agent going off the rails, bringing both drama and comedy to the Hollywood satire.
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Suits – He played Cameron Dennis, mentor-turned-adversary of Harvey Specter. A minor role, yet Cole made it stick.
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Crusade – Sci-fi fans may recognize him as Captain Matthew Gideon in this Babylon 5 spin-off. Another opportunity to command, another indication of his versatility.
Why Gary Cole Shines on TV
So, what is Gary Cole’s secret? To me, it’s two things: range and presence.
He can step into any role—hero, villain, comic relief, mentor—and make it seem like second nature. And no matter the size of the part, he ensures you remember him.
There’s also something reassuring about having him appear on screen. Perhaps it’s because he’s been going for decades, always showing up in surprising roles. Perhaps it’s because he plays characters with an authenticity that makes them feel real—yes, even the bad guys.
At the end of the day, Cole reminds us why TV acting is important. These are not characters you get to watch once in a movie and then forget. They are people that you allow into your living room week in and week out. And Cole ensures they are well worth your time.
Final Thoughts
onclusionGary Cole’s career is a patchwork quilt of unforgettably memorable TV moments. From the spooky nights of Midnight Caller to the wry smile of Sheriff Buck, from White House corridors in The West Wing to the pandemonium of Veep, and the tender moments in The Good Wife, his career has touched every corner of television.
If all you know about him is “that guy in Office Space,” do yourself a favor—watch these shows. You’ll find an actor who doesn’t merely play characters; he inhabits them.
And perhaps the next time that ubiquitous face of his appears on TV, you won’t be thinking, “Where do I know him from?” You’ll be smiling and thinking, “Ah, that’s Gary Cole. This is going to be good.”
