Photo by Drew Anderson
DIRECT FROM THE FEDERAL WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM
a.k.a. ALEX COLE
actor – comedian – singer/songwriter
If you attended a college or a university during the 1980’s, there is a very good chance you saw Alex Cole. With over 1700 college shows in 48 of the 50 states, he performed up to 250 one-nighters a year and headlined at premier comedy clubs across the nation.
He was a regular at the “Comedy Store” on Sunset Boulevard and the “Original Improv” in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City.
From 1988 to 1991 he worked 12 weeks a year as the opening act on the stage of the legendary “Crystal Room” at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas.
He’s spent the night in jail with John Goodman on “Roseanne” and has been kicked in the head by Debra Messing in the movie “McHale’s Navy.”
As a middle child of the baby boom, Alex is now a young old man, but his songs are still simple and his stories are still true.
a comic
Guthrie Theater
Talking Heads (1979)
“For a comedian opening for a rock band, especially a band with as fervent a cult following as the Talking Heads, it’s not easy getting the audience’s attention. Alex Cole not only got their attention but made them laugh uproariously during a 30-minute set. Cole is terrific and unless he gets run over by a steamroller is going to be a major name one of these days.”
MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
Acme Comedy Club
Minneapolis (1998)
“Cole is the funny neighbor you hope will stop by to shoot the breeze. Even though the material is as comfortably familiar as a pair of old shoes, Cole’s precise comic timing and colorful line readings give it a slingshot zing.”
CITY PAGES
Dudley Riggs ETC Theater
Minneapolis Comedy All-Stars (1982)
“A good actor adept at describing situations, Cole did a routine about being attacked by a dog as he walked home at night that made everyone feel the fear.”
ST. PAUL DISPATCH
National Association of Campus Activities
“Comedy Entertainer Of The Year – 1988”
“As usual, Alex was perfect! Best comedian in the business!”
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
“An exhilarating experience.”
YAKIMA VALLEY COLLEGE, WASHINGTON
Hollywood Court Theater
Hollywood (2000)
“One of the upsides of good solo performances, is that you feel you’ve gotten to know an interesting person in a short period of time. Alex Cole is more of a standup comic with songs than a typical one-man show but with well-honed and intelligent material that’s consistently funny – he’s a performer you’ll enjoy getting to know.”
LA WEEKLY
actor
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
People’s Center Theater (1998)
“The strongest performer however is Alex Cole, who gives McMurphy a magnetic rebelliousness. Cole invests McMurphy with such passion and energy that the veins in his neck stand
out and his face flushes. He makes us see how a reckless rebel can inspire a group of listless men to stand up for themselves.”
MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
Ithaca
People’s Center Theater (1998)
“It’s only when Alex Cole as Odysseus comes bounding onto the stage that the play comes truly alive. Cole provides the electricity that the play has been wanting all night.”
SAINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS
“This Odysseus (a hypnotically energetic Alex Cole) is no epic hero but rather a refugee from the set of “Full Metal Jacket.”
CITY PAGES
Glengarry Glenn Ross
Arcadia Theater (2001)
“Mamet’s best character, is Richard Roma. In his portrayal, Alex Cole lulls, mesmerizes, co-opts and bullies his client with a conviction and presence that can only be found in the soul.”
MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
“Of particular note is Alex Cole as Ricky Roma, who moves from boozy, metaphysical soft-shoe salesman to a raving lunatic in a matter of minutes.”
CITY PAGES
Talk Radio
Arcadia Theater (2001)
“Cole plays Barry Champlain, the acerbic radio host at the center of Bogosian’s play and he is marvelous.”
CITY PAGES
“Played with high octane perfection by Alex Cole.”
PULSE OF THE TWIN CITIES
A Few Good Men
Pigs Eye Theater (2003)
Alex Cole is testosterone in action as Colonel Nathan Jessup.”
MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
The Front Page
People’s Center Theater (2004)
“Alex Cole is terrific as the corrupt mayor.”
SAINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS
“Alex Cole is incredible as the mayor. He throws his weight around the tiny newsroom, literally and figuratively, making each scene he’s in both hilarious and tensely dramatic.
PULSE OF THE TWIN CITIES
Two Harbors
Independent Film (2005)
“The performances are stellar. Alex Cole, the lead actor, is phenomenal.”
MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
“A remarkable performance by Alex Cole anchors this strange and subtle tale.”
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Best Actor Award
Winnipeg International Film Festival 2005
Honorable Mention – Actor
Austin Film Festival 2005
a credo
“I loved being the opening act. My job was to welcome the audience, focus their attention, make them laugh, and turn ‘em over to the headliner and then watch and learn.”
A tip of the cap to all of the acts I’ve had the pleasure of opening for:
B.B. King – The Everly Brothers – Duane Eddy – Phoebe Snow – The Temptations – The Tubes – Talking Heads – Cab Calloway – Larry Gatlin – Jim Post – Stanley Jordan – George Winston – The Manhattan Transfer – Dan Seals – The Outlaws – Crystal Gayle – Paul Revere & The Raiders – Gladys Knight – Laura Branigan – Eddie Rabbit – Pat Benatar – Jermaine Jackson – Ramsey Lewis – The Guess Who – T. Graham Brown – Amy Grant – The Suburbs – The Kingston Trio – Spyro Gyra – Toni Tennille – George Benson – The Commodores – America – Branford Marsalis – Bobby Vinton – The Rascals – Livingston Taylor – The Righteous Brothers – Sha Na Na – Lou Rawls – Donna Summer – The Monkees – Pure Prairie League – Corky Siegel – David Brenner – Jeff Dunham – Graham Chapman Second City Comedy Troupe Touring Company
“I’m a performer, not a musician. I don’t write music but rather, I make up songs and I tell stories. Some stories are put to music.”
a couple of cole songs
- Clown Alley
- https://akaalexcole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/aka_alex_cole_picture.jpg
- alexcoleaudio
- https://akaalexcole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03_Clown_Alley.mp3
- Someday
- https://akaalexcole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/aka_alex_cole_picture.jpg
- alexcoleaudio
- https://akaalexcole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/05_Someday.mp3