Gary Cole is a well-recognized actor, known for his roles in various popular television shows and films. Whether viewers recognize him from “The West Wing”, “Veep”, or even iconic films such as “Office Space” and “Dodgeball,” his face is one that many can easily identify. Recently, his portrayal of Alden Parker in the long-running CBS series “NCIS” has garnered him significant public attention.
“NCIS,” which focuses on the U.S. Navy's investigative unit in Washington, D.C., is currently airing its 23rd season. In a recent conversation, Cole reflected on the impact of the show's loyal audience, acknowledging that many viewers have followed the series for years. He remarked, “It’s pretty powerful, that impact, so a lot of people have followed the show and they have followed it, some of them, forever.”
Cole joined “NCIS” in Season 19, taking over the team after the departure of the iconic character Leroy Jethro Gibbs, portrayed by Mark Harmon. To celebrate Veterans Day, the show is set to feature a special crossover event with “NCIS: Origins,” showcasing back-to-back episodes on Tuesday. This special will include a historical mystery involving a guest appearance from Harmon, linking Gibbs' early career to the present day in “NCIS.”
When asked about the show's enormous popularity, Cole admitted that it did not heavily influence his decision to take on the role. “I didn’t really look at the effect of how big or small the audience would be,” he explained, noting the differences in how television viewership has changed over the decades. He reminisced about a time when there were only three channels and shows were fleeting after their initial airing, contrasting it with today's endless accessibility to content online.
In discussing past performances, Cole expressed no desire to erase any shows but acknowledged that earlier network movies provided a learning ground for many actors. According to him, these films served as a “laboratory” for getting comfortable in front of the camera, a process he found necessary when honing his skills.
Regarding his character Alden Parker, Cole revealed that the producers aimed to differentiate Parker from Gibbs. “They certainly wanted somebody that you could buy as a leader,” he stated. With a playful analogy, he shared how the dynamic shifted when Gibbs left, likening the situation to a father leaving only for a 'crazy uncle' to step in, leading to uncertainty among the team members about how to respond to the new leader.
Cole has also had the opportunity to interact with military personnel while on the show. He mentioned a memorable visit to an aircraft carrier alongside co-star Katrina Law, where they engaged with sailors and witnessed firsthand various operations. “A lot of them knew the show,” Cole recalled, highlighting the connection formed between the cast and real-life service members.
Intrigued by the portrayal of NCIS agents, Cole noted that his experiences with real NCIS offices revealed a younger workforce than he anticipated. “If this is the reality, I should have retired 15 years ago,” he humorously concluded, upon noticing that the average age of agents was considerably younger than his own.
As the conversation shifted to the show's distinctive “freeze frame” moments, Cole shared insights into what the cast affectionately refers to as “poof moments,” where scenes freeze in a dramatic pose. He acknowledged that the decision of where to place these freeze frames is left to the show's creative direction rather than the actors themselves.
Lastly, Cole shared a fun tidbit that some believe the unique sound associated with these freeze frames is the voice of Don Bellisario, the show's original creator. He humorously relayed that there might be an air of myth surrounding this information but chose to embrace the story nonetheless, attributing it to the show’s historian, Sean Murray.
