Biography
Ernest Cossart (born Emil Gottfried von Holst, 24 September 1876 – 21 January 1951) was an English-American actor. Born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, he was the younger brother of composer Gustav Holst. He began his stage career in Britain before moving to the United States in 1908, where he appeared in numerous Broadway productions and toured extensively. During the First World War he served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
Cossart entered films in the mid-1930s and became known for character roles, frequently playing butlers and valets, though he also took on a range of other parts. His credits include The Great Ziegfeld (1936) as Sidney, Desire (1936) as Aristide Duvalle, Angel (1937) as Christopher 'Chris' Wilton, Kitty Foyle (1940) as Pop, Kings Row (1942) as Pa Monaghan, Tower of London (1939) as Tom Clink and Cluny Brown (1946) as Syrette. He remained active on stage and screen until 1950.
He was married to actress Maude Davis from 1906 until his death; their daughter Valerie Cossart was also an actress. Cossart died in New York City.
