Michael Joseph Cognata (born May 5, 1988) is an American actor[2] and record producer[3] from Boston, Massachusetts, best known for his roles as Julian Robbins on NBC's Chicago Fire and Tito, from Showtime's Shameless.[4][5]
![]() | This biography of a living person relies too much on references to primary sources. (August 2021) |
Michael Cognata | |
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![]() Cognata backstage at the Strand Theatre for ARTiculation's One Night Only | |
Born | Michael Joseph Cognata (1988-05-05) May 5, 1988 (age 34) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Other names |
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Education | Boston Arts Academy |
Occupation |
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Years active | 2007–present |
Television | Chicago Fire[1] Shameless 9-1-1 |
Musical career | |
Origin | North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Genres |
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Labels |
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Musical artist | |
Website | www |
Cognata began exploring his interest for the stage in high school, as he attended Boston Arts Academy (2006) where he majored in Theatre.[6] In 2008, Cognata made his television debut with a national commercial for Subway and further honed his performative skills, professionally, with the poetic entertainment group called ARTiculation, which received critical acclaim across the New England area.[7] The Boston Herald writes in a 2009 article, "Give the creativity and enthusiasm of this highly talented group of young poets a chance. Their performance is good enough to make even a cynic believe in the power of art."[8] Michael then moved to New York City and Los Angeles to obtain notable television roles including Julian Robbins, brother-in-law to Battalion Chief Wallace Boden on NBC's Chicago Fire (2018), and recurred as the popular Tito, Lip's intern on Showtime's Shameless (2016).[9][10] He can also be seen during the holidays on Hallmark's Romance at Reindeer Lodge (2017).[11] In addition to his work in film and TV,[12] Cognata was honored to represent his hometown in the largest arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2006), where he was chosen to perform the play A More Perfect Union.[13] It was here where he made his theatrical debut on stages across Edinburgh, Scotland.[14][15]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2015 | The Young and the Restless | Rescue Worker | 4 Episodes |
The Last Ship | Firefighting Sailor | Season 2, Episode 12 | |
2016 | Castle | Darren Ives | Season 8, Episode 16 |
Shameless[16] | Tito | 2 Episodes | |
2017 | Life in Pieces[17] | Realtor Don | Season 2, Episode 10 |
2018 | Chicago Fire[18] | Julian Robbins | 2 Episodes |
2019 | Grown-Ish | Officer Dickson | Season 2, Episode 3 |
Taking Stock[19] | Kevin | 3 Episodes | |
9-1-1 | Officer Crawford | Season 2, Episode 13 | |
The Fix[20] | Andre Spencer | Season 1, Episode 9 | |
2020 | Good Trouble | Derrick | Season 2, Episode 12 |
Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
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2010 | Breakdance Academy[21] | Kyle | Jon Artigo | |
2012 | A Deadly Obsession | Kellen | John Stimpson | |
2013 | Worldly Pursuits | Brian Higgins | Hugh Guiney | Short Film |
Sins of the Preacher | Police Officer | John Stimpson | ||
Hatfields & McCoys[22] | Ernie Rivas | Michael Mayer | ||
2014 | The Assault[23] | Jordan | Jason Winn | |
2016 | Downpour Summer[24] | Brendan | Diante Singley | |
Trash Bags | Miles | Diante Singley | ||
2017 | Slamma Jamma[25] | Lizare | Timothy A. Chey | Platform Release |
Romance at Reindeer Lodge[26] | Greg | Colin Theys | ||
Remote Capture | Elijah/Day 9,145 | Diante Singley | ||
2019 | A True Crime[27] | Detective Myers | Marques Green | |
2020 | Nothing and No One | Ernie | Diante Singley | |
2021 | Killer Whales[28] | Father T-Dale | William J.L. Hamilton | Post-Production |
Mike Cognata[29][30] discography | |
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Singles | 4 |
Title | Year | Album |
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Silvasurf | 2020 | Non-album singles |
I Might Be | 2021 | |
Bad Man[31] | ||
King Burial (Instrumental)[32][33] | ||