Nick Cogley

Nick Cogley
Cogley in Honest Hutch (1920)
Born
Nickolas P. J. Cogley

May 4, 1869
New York, New York, US
DiedMay 20, 1936(1936-05-20) (aged 67)
Santa Monica, California, US
Years active1909–1934

Nickolas P. J. Cogley (May 4, 1869 – May 20, 1936) was an American actor, director and writer of the silent films. He appeared in more than 170 films between 1909 and 1934.[1]

Biography

Cogley was born in New York, New York. He attended St. Francis Xavier College in New York.[2]

Cogley appeared in blackface in some of his roles. For example, in the Civil War film The Coward (1915) he played "A Negro Servant," and in Toby's Bow (1919) he portrayed the black servant "Uncle Toby" that gives the film its name. The use of blackface was not unusual in American silent films, and did not disappear until the 1930s when public sensibilities regarding race began to change and blackface became increasingly associated with racism and bigotry.[3]

On stage, Cogley acted at New York's Lyceum Theatre for 25 years.[2] He died in Santa Monica, California, following surgery.

Partial filmography

References

  1. ^ Walker, Brent E. (2010). Mack Sennett's Fun Factory: A History and Filmography of His Studio and His Keystone and Mack Sennett Comedies, with Biographies of Players and Personnel. McFarland Inc. p. 494. ISBN 9780786457076. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Katchmer, George A. (2009). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. p. 67. ISBN 9781476609058. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  3. ^ John Kenrick, Blackface and Old Wounds. Musicals101.com. Accessed online November 2, 2013.
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