A frequent presence on TV since the mid-1980s, Cole's substantial telefilm work includes a pairing with TV veteran Ed Asner in "Vital Signs" (CBS, 1986) playing father-and-son doctors cum substance abusers--alcohol for the elder and pharmaceuticals for the younger; portraying a newly widowed reluctant father in "Those She Left Behind" (NBC, 1989); and a memorable interpretation of General George Armstrong Custer in the miniseries "Son of the Morning Star" (ABC, 1991). He segued to series TV as the star of "Midnight Caller" (NBC, 1988-91). Here Cole was Jack Killian, a sensitive former San Francisco cop who leaves the force after accidentally killing his partner, drowns his guilt in the bottle for a time and finds redemption as "The Nighthawk", the host of an all-night, call-in radio show.
Despite a busy TV career, Cole continued to stomp the boards on the Chicago stage. After dropping out during his third year at Illinois State University, he helped form the Remains Theater. Cole left the Remains to become an ensemble member of the celebrated Steppenwolf Theatre Company where he appeared in such productions as "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", "Philadelphia Here I Come" and "Balm in Gilead". During a hiatus from "Midnight Caller", he returned to the Windy City to star in David Mamet's "Speed the Plow". Cole has only dabbled in features in the 90s beginning with a supporting role as young Secret Service agent who needles Clint Eastwood in "In the Line of Fire" (1993). He won surprisingly appreciative notices for his uncanny recreation of Mr. Mike Brady, Robert Reed's beloved TV sitcom Dad, for "The Brady Bunch Movie" (1995), its sequel, "A Very Brady Movie" (1996) and a TV-movie follow-up "Bradys in the White House" (2002). .
Cole returned to series TV playing a far more ominous paternal figure in "American Gothic" (CBS, 1995-96). As Sheriff Lucas Buck, he cut a coolly menacing figure as a man with unusual--and perhaps supernatural--powers and influence in a sleepy North Carolina town. The critically-hailed drama failed to catch on, sending Cole in search of further film and TV _ roles, playing a wide ranging assortment of characters--from conventional dads (1998's "I'll Be Home for Christmas") to a hilarious empty-dialoguing boss (1999's "Office Space") to a sleazy attorney (2000's "The Gift"). Slipping adeptly between comedy and drama, Cole had a banner year in 2002 with a small but compelling turn as the store manager to Robin Williams' creepy, obessive photo developer in "One Hour Photo," a role he followed up with a highly comedic turn as Owen Wilsom's can-do-no-wrong superspy rival in "I Spy." He was also cast in the Uncle Bill role (originally played by Brian Kieth) in the WB's short-lived 2002 update of the saccharine family sit-com "Family Affair" and employed his considerable vocal talents for a pair of popular animated series, "Kim Possible" and "Harvey Bridman, Attorney at Law."
Cole continued his comedic sneak attack on audiences with a turn in the retro-cool "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton" (2004) as Kate Bosworth's Hollywood-impressed father, and in a pitch perfect turn as an onsequious sports broadcaster in "Dodgeball" (2004).