
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.

The Assault
2014 · as Jordan

A Deadly Obsession
2012 · as Kellen

Romance at Reindeer Lodge
2017 · as Greg

Slamma Jamma
2017 · as Lizare

Sins of the Preacher
2013 · as Police Officer

Breakdance Academy
2010 · as Kyle

Killer Whales
2022 · as Father T-Dale

Trash Bags
as Miles

A True Crime
2019 · as Detective Myers

Downpour Summer
2016 · as Brendan