Lionel Monagas

Lionel John Monagas (June 26, 1889 – September 3, 1945) was an American actor born in Caracas, Venezuela, who built a career in theatrical and film productions spanning several decades. A member of the original Lafayette Players company of Harlem, Monagas performed on Broadway from 1923 to 1944 and appeared in a number of films during the 1920s and 1930s.

Before establishing himself on Broadway, Monagas accumulated stage experience in productions including Confidence, The Heartbreaker, An African Prince, and The Man from Baltimore, all in 1920. His Broadway career took shape through the 1920s with credits that included Salome and The Comedy of Errors in 1923, Runnin' Wild in 1924, Appearances in 1925, My Magnolia and Miss Calico in 1926, and Slim Slivers in 1927. He continued working steadily into the 1930s, appearing in Ol' Man Satan in 1932, followed by Louisiana, Hummin' Sam, and Blackbirds of 1933 the following year. Roll, Sweet Chariot came in 1934, and 1936 brought two notable productions: Walk Together Chillun and Conjur Man Dies. Monagas appeared in The Show-Off and One-Act Plays of the Sea in 1937, the latter of which included Moon of the Caribbees. His later Broadway work included the drama Big White Fog in 1940, The Eternal Magdalene in 1943, and both the comedy Peepshow and Anna Lucasta in 1944.

Monagas also worked in film, with screen credits that included The Millionaire in 1927, Drums O' Voodoo in 1934 in which he played the role of Ebenezer, Lem Hawkins' Confession and Murder in Harlem in 1935, and Keep Punching in 1939.

Prior to his entertainment career, Monagas served in the United States Army during World War I as a member of the 92nd Division. He died on September 3, 1945, and was buried three days later at Long Island National Cemetery.