Lester Speight

Lester Speight has transitioned from a collegiate All-Football player and professional wrestler to a recognized film, television, and voice actor, known for his impactful character portrayals. After starring as Terry Tate: Office Linebacker in a series of Reebok commercials, Lester Speight became widely recognized, particularly following their acclaimed airing during Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003, which The Hollywood Reporter hailed as the most-watched Super Bowl spots that year. Speight initially built a career as a collegiate Division I All-American linebacker at Morgan State University from 1981 to 1985. He then transitioned to professional football, signing with the Baltimore Stars in 1985 and having an association with the New York Giants during the 1987 NFL strike.

Speight gained a significant following for his compelling voice acting work as Augustus Cole, famously known as Cole Train, in the critically acclaimed ‘Gears of War’ video game franchise for the Xbox 360. The character of Cole Train was modeled after Speight and notably incorporated elements of his iconic Office Linebacker persona. His powerful performance earned him the prestigious G-Phoria award for Best Voiceover in 2007, solidifying his impact in the gaming industry. He has consistently reprised this beloved role, providing the voice for Augustus Cole in multiple successful sequels, including ‘Gears of War 2’ (2008), ‘Gears of War 3’ (2011), ‘Gears of War: Judgment’ (2013), ‘Gears of War 4’ (2016), ‘Gears 5’ (2019), and most recently in ‘Gears Tactics’ (2020), demonstrating his enduring demand and consistent contribution to one of the most popular video game franchises.