Harve Presnell Harve Presnell was an American actor who played Colonel in the episode . He was born George Harvey Presnell in Modesto , California , and died of pancreatic cancer at St . John ' s Health Center in Santa Monica . Early life and early career . Presnell graduated from Modesto High School in 1950 and later attended the University of Southern California . Trained as an opera singer , Presnell was cast in the Broadway musical " The Unsinkable Molly Brown " in 1960 , in which he played Johnny " Leadville " Brown , a role which composer and lyricist Meredith Wilson wrote specifically for Presnell . Presnell reprised this role for MGM ' s film version of the musical in 1964 , which marked his debut in that medium . The next year , Presnell won the Golden Globe as Most Promising Male Newcomer ( which he shared with and ) . Following his success with " The Unsinkable Molly Brown " , Presnell starred in the 1965 western film " The Glory Guys " , along with Laurel Goodwin and Michael Forest . He then appeared in the 1969 film version of the musical " Paint Your Wagon " , which also featured Ray Walston , William O ' Connell , Robert Easton , Karl Bruck , and Roy Jenson . " Paint Your Wagon " was a box office flop , and Presnell subsequently took a leave of absence from films that lasted over 25 years . He instead returned to the stage , performing in summer stock and on tour . In 1979 , he landed the role of Oliver " Daddy " Warbucks in the Broadway musical " Annie " . ( The role was later played by Keene Curtis and John Schuck . ) In 1984 , he appeared in two episodes of the soap opera " Ryan ' s Hope " , along with Corbin Bernsen . Return to film and television . Films . Presnell returned to feature films in 1995 with a supporting role in the acclaimed , Academy Award - winning 1996 cult drama " Fargo " . His role in this film as Wade Gustafson , the overbearing father - in - law of ' s character , is perhaps Presnell ' s most well - known . Presnell ' s fellow " Voyager " guest actor John Carroll Lynch also had a role in this film . After " Fargo " , Presnell had supporting roles in over fifteen films . He played Victor Lazzaro in the 1997 blockbuster " Face / Off " , another film which featured John Carroll Lynch . Presnell also had a supporting role opposite Christian Slater in the 1997 comedy " Julian Po " and appeared as General George C . Marshall in the Academy Award - winning World War II film " Saving Private Ryan " . Leland Orser also appeared in the latter film , while John de Lancie had a voice - over role . Presnell then had a supporting role in the hit 1998 comic drama " Patch Adams " , opposite Robin Williams , who played the title role . Bob Gunton , Richard Kiley , and Randy Oglesby had roles in this film , as well . Presnell appeared in several popular , high - profile films over the next ten years , including the 2000 golf drama " The Legend of Bagger Vance " ( with Bruce McGill ) , the 2000 romantic drama " The Family Man " ( with Saul Rubinek ) , the 2002 romantic comedy " Mr . Deeds " ( 2002 , with Winona Ryder , Erick Avari and Bruce French ) , the 2003 comedy " Old School " ( with Andy Dick and Terry O ' Quinn ) , the 2006 war drama " Flags of Our Fathers " ( with Len Cariou , David Clennon , Gordon Clapp and Neal McDonough ) , and the 2007 comedy " Evan Almighty " ( with Jimmy Bennett , Bruce Gray , and Rachael Harris ) . His last film was the comedy " Bait Shop " with Richard Riehle , which was released direct - to - DVD in 2008 . Television . In addition to his film work , Presnell also became more active in television in 1995 . From 1995 through 1997 , he appeared in several episodes of " Lois & Clark : The New Adventures of Superman " , in which he played the recurring role of Dr . Sam Lane . His character was the father of " Daily Planet " reporter Lois Lane , played on the show by Teri Hatcher . K Callan was a regular cast member , as well , playing Martha Kent . Between 1997 and 2000 , Presnell played the recurring role of Mr . Parker in the science fiction television series " The Pretender " ( 1997 - 2000 ) . He reprised the role of Mr . Parker for two made - for - TV movies : " The Pretender 2001 " and " The Pretender : Island of the Haunted " . He also played Arthur Brooks in many episodes of " Dawson ' s Creek " ( 2000 - 01 ) and starred in the short - lived NBC series " Andy Barker , P . I . " ( 2007 ) . Presnell appeared on several other television series , including " EZ Streets " ( with Gregg Henry ) , " Players " ( with Gregory Itzin and Mike Starr ) , and " Two Guys , a Girl and a Pizza Place " ( with David Ogden Stiers ) . In 2003 , he guest - starred in an episode of " Frasier " , working with Kelsey Grammer and s Nana Visitor . Later that year Presnell worked with Norman Lloyd in an episode of " The Practice " and co - starred with Steven Culp and Robert Picardo in an episode of " The Lyon ' s Den " . Presnell later appeared on " Monk " with Stanley Kamel and " ER " with Scott Grimes . In addition to his work on episodic television , Presnell had supporting roles in several made - for - TV movies . Among his TV movie credits are 1997 ' s " The Guardian " ( with Stephanie Niznik and Brian Thompson ) , " Tidal Wave : No Escape " ( working again with fellow " Trek " alumni Corbin Bernsen and Gregg Henry ) , " A Bright Shining Lie " ( with Ed Lauter , Richard Libertini , and Kurtwood Smith ) , " Everything That Rises " ( his first work with Bruce McGill , whom he later worked with in the film " The Legend of Bagger Vance " ) , and " Jackie , Ethel , Joan : The Women of Camelot " ( with Daniel Hugh Kelly ) . Presnell was remembered in the " In Memoriam " section at the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on .