
Michael Cognata
Biography
Cognata attended the Boston Arts Academy (2006) where he majored in theatre. In 2008, Cognata made his television debut in a national commercial for Subway and performed with the poetic entertainment group called ARTiculation. 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." Cognata then moved to New York City and Los Angeles to obtain television roles including Julian Robbins, brother-in-law to battalion chief Wallace Boden on NBC's Chicago Fire (2018), and recurring as Tito, Lip's intern on Showtime's Shameless (2016). He appeared in Hallmark's Romance at Reindeer Lodge (2017). In addition to his work in film and TV, Cognata represented his hometown in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2006), where he performed the play A More Perfect Union.
Known For

TV
Shameless
Tito
2011

TV
The Pitt
Allen Billings
2025

TV
Chicago Fire
Julian Robbins
2012

TV
Castle
Darren Ives
2009

TV
9-1-1
Officer Crawford
2018

TV
Good Trouble
Derrick
2019

TV
The Last Ship
Firefighting Sailor
2014

TV
grown-ish
Officer Dickson
2018

TV
Life in Pieces
Realtor Don
2015

TV
Julia
Martin
2022

TV
The Fix
Andre Spencer
2019

Film
Slamma Jamma
Lizare
2017

Film
The Assault
Jordan
2014

Film
Breakdance Academy
Kyle
2010

Film
Romance at Reindeer Lodge
Greg
2017

Film
Sins of the Preacher
Police Officer
2013

Film
A Deadly Obsession
Kellen
2012

Film
Killer Whales
Father T-Dale
2022

Film
Trash Bags
Miles
Film
Downpour Summer
Brendan
2016
Filmography
2025TVThe Pittas Allen Billings2022FilmKiller Whalesas Father T-Dale2022TVJuliaas Martin2019TVThe Fixas Andre Spencer2019TVGood Troubleas Derrick2018TVgrown-ishas Officer Dickson2018TV9-1-1as Officer Crawford2017FilmRomance at Reindeer Lodgeas Greg2017FilmSlamma Jammaas Lizare2016FilmDownpour Summeras Brendan2015TVLife in Piecesas Realtor Don2014FilmThe Assaultas Jordan2014TVThe Last Shipas Firefighting Sailor2013FilmSins of the Preacheras Police Officer2012FilmA Deadly Obsessionas Kellen2012TVChicago Fireas Julian Robbins2011TVShamelessas Tito2010FilmBreakdance Academyas Kyle2009TVCastleas Darren Ives—FilmTrash Bagsas Miles