Daniel Von Bargen was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 5th, 1950. He grew up there for most of his childhood, before moving with his family to Southern California. He attended Purdue University, majoring in drama. Daniel joined the Trinity Repertory Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island after graduation, and worked with them for many years. A breakthrough role in "Mastergate" by Larry Gelbart launched him onto Broadway stages. He has also starred in off-Broadway productions of "Beggars in the House of Plenty", "Macbeth", "The Cherry Orchard", "Hurlyburly" and "Uncle Vanya". On TV, he is best known for his roles in Malcolm in the Middle and The West Wing. A seemingly typecast actor, he's often playing a military officer or policeman.