Michael Joseph Cognata (born May 5, 1988) is an American actor from Boston, Massachusetts. He played Julian Robbins in NBC's Chicago Fire and Tito in Showtime's Shameless. He appears as Allen Billings in the series, The Pitt.

Career

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[citation needed] 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.

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2015The Young and the RestlessRescue Worker4 episodes
The Last ShipFirefighting SailorSeason 2, episode 12
2016CastleDarren IvesSeason 8, episode 16
ShamelessTito2 episodes
2017Life in PiecesRealtor DonSeason 2, episode 10
2018Chicago FireJulian Robbins2 episodes
2019Grown-ishOfficer DicksonSeason 2, episode 3
Taking StockKevin3 episodes
9-1-1Officer CrawfordSeason 2, Episode 13
The FixAndre SpencerSeason 1, episode 9
2020Good TroubleDerrickSeason 2, episode 12
2023JuliaMartinSeason 2, episode 1
2026The PittAllen BillingsSeason 2, episode 1, 2, 5

Film

YearTitleRoleDirectorNotes
2010Breakdance AcademyKyleJon Artigo
2012A Deadly ObsessionKellenJohn Stimpson
2013Worldly PursuitsBrian HigginsHugh GuineyShort Film
Sins of the PreacherPolice OfficerJohn Stimpson
Hatfields & McCoysErnie RivasMichael Mayer
2014The AssaultJordanJason Winn
2016Downpour SummerBrendanDiante Singley
Trash BagsMilesDiante Singley
2017Slamma JammaLizareTimothy A. CheyPlatform Release
Romance at Reindeer LodgeGregColin Theys
Remote CaptureElijah/Day 9,145Diante Singley
2019A True CrimeDetective MyersMarques Green
2020Nothing and No OneErnieDiante Singley
2021Killer WhalesFather T-DaleWilliam J.L. HamiltonPost-Production

Discography

Cognata has released several singles.

List of singles as a lead artist
TitleYear
Silvasurf2020
I Might Be2021
Bad Man
King Burial (Instrumental)

External links