Ask any TV nut, and they’ll tell you that “The West Wing” is still probably one of the best shows of all time. Aaron Sorkin’s fast-paced style and cutting dialogue left a mark on television that’s still felt today, and alongside HBO series like “The Sopranos” and “The Wire,” “The West Wing” helped usher in what many have called the Golden Age of Television. The political drama earned a total of 95 Emmy nominations over the course of its seven-year run, winning a whopping 26. And while none of those accolades went directly to Gary Cole, his performance as Vice President Robert “Bob” Russell in later seasons was still a key piece of the show’s success.
Cole excels in his role as Bob, a character who balances the smarmy politician archetype with a high level of charisma and strategic intent. As the balance to President Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen), Bob provides a more morally gray White House perspective, and Cole pulls it off perfectly.
Though “The West Wing” doesn’t give Cole the most screen time compared to other entries on this list, it’s absolutely one of the best projects he’s ever been a part of, and it’s still worth watching for those who missed it the first time around. Fans who are coming from “NCIS” specifically to see Cole’s performance, however, will have to wait through the first half of the show. Thankfully, it’s worth the wait.
