Karl Malden was quite a mentor. He taught me things he had learned from being in front of a camera so long.

In 2008 Cole appeared on Chuck as Sarah's con-artist father (in "Chuck Versus the DeLorean") a role which he reprised in 2011 (in "Chuck Versus the Wedding Planner"). Career
Cole began his professional career in 1983 as a stage actor in Chicago where he joined the ensemble of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 1985. 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.

On film Cole appeared in supporting roles in The Brady Bunch Movie Office Space Dodgeball and Talladega Nights. Born in Park Ridge Illinois and a graduate of Illinois State University Cole began his professional acting career on stage with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 1985. Gary Michael Cole (born September 20 1956) is an American television and film actor.