J. C. Nugent

Summary

John Charles Nugent (April 6, 1868 – April 21, 1947), was an American actor, director, and screenwriter. A veteran stage performer, he appeared in 20 films between 1929 and 1943.

J. C. Nugent
Born
John Charles Nugent

(1868-04-06)April 6, 1868
DiedApril 21, 1947(1947-04-21) (aged 79)
New York City, U.S.
Alma materReeves University
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
  • screenwriter
Years active1929–1943
Spouse
Grace Mary Fertig
(m. 1883; died 1930)
Children2; including Elliott Nugent

Early life edit

Nugent was born in Niles, Ohio, and attended Reeves University.[1]

Career edit

By 1900, Nugent was active in vaudeville.[2]

 
J. C. Nugent in 1922

Nugent's Broadway debut came in the comedy Kempy (1922), which he wrote.[3] Kempy was considered a success.[4] Dorothy Parker enthusiastically reviewed Kempy in her theater column in Ainslee's Magazine, saying, "People strayed into the Belmont Theatre on the opening night with an air of, 'I may stick it out for an act or so, but I'm glad of the chance to get to bed early.' And then Kempy turned out to be one of the nicest little comedies they ever saw in their lives."[5]

From 1922 until 1947, Nugent directed and wrote plays, occasionally acting in some of them.[6]

Personal life edit

He was the father of actor, writer and producer Elliott Nugent,[6] with whom he sometimes wrote or acted, and actress Ruth Elizabeth Nugent. Nugent was also the father-in-law of actor Alan Bunce of Ethel and Albert fame.

Nugent died in New York City.

Filmography edit

 
Lobby card showing Nugent (center) in Wise Girls (1929)
Year Title Role Notes
1929 Wise Girls Dad
1929 Navy Blues Mr. Brown
1930 They Learned About Women Stafford
1930 The Big House Mr. Marlowe
1930 Love in the Rough Waters
1930 Remote Control Horace V. Smedley
1930 The Unholy Three co-writer with Elliott Nugent
1931 Many a Slip William Coster
1931 The Virtuous Husband Mr. Olwell
1931 The Millionaire Dr. Harvey
1935 Love in Bloom Col. 'Dad' Downey
1935 Men Without Names Major Newcomb
1936 Modern Times Department Store Section Manager Uncredited
1937 A Star Is Born Mr. Blodgett
1937 This Is My Affair Ernie
1937 It's All Yours E.J. Barnes
1937 Life Begins in College T. Edwin Cabot
1937 Stand-In Junior Pettypacker
1938 Midnight Intruder 'Doc' Norton
1938 Give Me a Sailor Mr. Larkin
1943 Follies Girl J.B. Hamlin (final film role)

References edit

  1. ^ Hischak, Thomas S. (2003). Enter the Players: New York Stage Actors in the Twentieth Century. Scarecrow Press. p. 242. ISBN 9780810847613. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  2. ^ Liebman, Roy (2010). Vitaphone Films: A Catalogue of the Features and Shorts. McFarland. p. 376. ISBN 9781476609362. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  3. ^ "J. C. Nugent". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  4. ^ Coleman, Alta May (January 1, 1922). "The Nugents Charm Broadway: The "Kempy" Family Has Lived a Story-Book Existence". Theatre Magazine. 35–36. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  5. ^ Parker, Dorothy (2014). "The Season Chooses Its Exit". In Fitzpatrick, Kevin C. (ed.). Complete Broadway: 1918-1923. iUniverse. ISBN 978-1-4917-2265-7.
  6. ^ a b Cullen, Frank; Hackman, Florence; McNeilly, Donald (2007). Vaudeville old & new: an encyclopedia of variety performances in America. Psychology Press. p. 838. ISBN 9780415938532. Retrieved March 13, 2018.

External links edit