J. C. Nugent Explained

J. C. Nugent
Birth Name:John Charles Nugent
Birth Date:April 6, 1868
Birth Place:Niles, Ohio, U.S.
Death Place:New York City, U.S.
Alma Mater:Reeves University
Years Active:1929–1943
Children:2; including Elliott Nugent

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.

Early life

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

Career

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

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.

Personal life

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

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

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hischak. Thomas S.. Enter the Players: New York Stage Actors in the Twentieth Century. 2003. Scarecrow Press. 9780810847613. 242. 13 March 2018. en.
  2. Book: Liebman. Roy. Vitaphone Films: A Catalogue of the Features and Shorts. 2010. McFarland. 9781476609362. 376. 13 March 2018. en.
  3. Web site: J. C. Nugent. Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. 13 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180313213343/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/j-c-nugent-6496. 13 March 2018.
  4. Coleman . Alta May . The Nugents Charm Broadway: The "Kempy" Family Has Lived a Story-Book Existence . Theatre Magazine . Jan 1, 1922 . 35-36 . 5 February 2020.
  5. Book: Parker . Dorothy . Fitzpatrick . Kevin C. . Complete Broadway: 1918-1923 . 2014 . iUniverse . 978-1-4917-2265-7 . The Season Chooses Its Exit.
  6. Book: Cullen. Frank. Hackman. Florence. McNeilly. Donald. Vaudeville old & new: an encyclopedia of variety performances in America. 2007. Psychology Press. 9780415938532. 838. 13 March 2018. en.