Michael Ian Black
Actor
Biography
Michael Ian Black (born Michael Ian Schwartz; August 12, 1971) is an American comedian, actor, writer and director. He has starred in several TV comedy series, including The State, Ed, Viva Variety, Stella, Another Period and Michael & Michael Have Issues. He is also a prominent poker player, appearing on Celebrity Poker Showdown several times. He released a well-received children's book, Chicken Cheeks, in 2009.
Black was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Jill and Robert Schwartz, a store owner and an executive, respectively. His family is Jewish. He grew up in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, where he attended Hillsborough High School. His parents divorced when he was three years old; his mother, Jill, later came out as a lesbian. Black's father died at age 39 due to a head injury apparently suffered in an assault and allergic reaction during subsequent surgery.
His birth name, Schwartz, is derived from the German word schwarz, which means black. He changed his name to Michael Ian Black to avoid confusion with the actor Mike Schwartz.
Black briefly attended New York University, but dropped out to portray Raphael in the promotional campaign for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles concert tour.
As Director
Filmography
Superman
as Cleavis Thornwaite 2025
This Is 40
as Accountant 2012
Wanderlust
as Himself 2012
Sextuplets
as Doug 2019
Wet Hot American Summer
as McKinley 2001
Take Me Home Tonight
as Pete Bering 2011
They Came Together
as Trevor 2014
Reno 911!: Miami
as Ron of Ron's Tattoo 2007
Hell Baby
as Dr. Marshall 2013
Smosh: The Movie
as Steve Youtube 2015
The Ten
as Prison Guard Jamberg Saivon 2007
Linoleum
as Tony 2023
The Baxter
as Ed 2005
Slash
as Denis 2016
Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot
as Self 2015
Spinning Gold
as Bill Aucoin 2023
Misery Loves Comedy
as Self 2015