Michael Ian Black
Born: 1971-08-12 in Chicago, Illinois, USA
Known For: Acting
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.
Filmography
2025
- Superman as Cleavis Thornwaite
- Long Live the State as Self
- Alaskan Murder Mystery ... (Writer)
2024
- Sorry/Not Sorry as Self
- Have I Got News for You as Self - Team Captain
2023
- Linoleum as Tony
- Spinning Gold as Bill Aucoin
- Handyman from Hell as Philosophy Contractor
2022
- Peacemaker as Cleavis Thornwaite
- Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist as Hatzolah Commander
- Would I Lie to You? as Self
- Reno 911! Defunded as Miss Mertz
- Criss Angel's Magic with the Stars as Self
2021
- Name That Tune as Self - Contestant
2020
- Calls
- First One In as Philip
- Reno 911! as Hatzolah Commander
2019
- Sextuplets as Doug
- Bless This Mess as Cheff
- I Want My MTV as Self
- Retro Tech as Self - Actor / Writer / Comedian
2018
- Insatiable as Pastor Mike
- The Fix as Self - Guest
- Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters
2017
- The Good Fight as Stephen Rankin-Hall
- Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later as McKinley / George H.W. Bush
2016
- Match Game as Self - Panelist
- Search Party as Wally
- Michael Ian Black: Noted Expert as Self
- Folk Hero & Funny Guy as Randy Jeppesen
- Join or Die with Craig Ferguson as Self
- Slash as Denis
- Debate Wars as Self - Host
2015
- Another Period as Peepers
- Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot as Self
- Smosh: The Movie as Steve Youtube
- Misery Loves Comedy as Self
- Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp as McKinley Dozen
- The Jim Gaffigan Show as Daniel
2014
- Late Night with Seth Meyers as Self
- Beef as Lynn Vanderloo
- Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as Self
- Deadbeat as TJ
- They Came Together as Trevor
- Us & Them as Brian
- Duck Quacks Don't Echo as Self - Host
2013
- @midnight with Chris Hardwick as Self
- Hell Baby as Dr. Marshall
- Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable as Self
2012
- Wanderlust as Himself
- This Is 40 as Accountant
- Gotham Comedy Live as Self - Host
- Burning Love as Bill Tundle
- The Burn with Jeff Ross as Self
- You're Whole as Randall Tyree Mandersohn
2011
- Impractical Jokers
- Take Me Home Tonight as Pete Bering
- Michael Ian Black: Very Famous as Self
2010
- Backwash as Fleming
2009
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen as Self - Guest
- Michael & Michael Have Issues as Self
- Stella: Live in Boston as Michael
2008
- I Love the New Millennium as Self
- Reality Bites Back as Host
- The Xtacles as Chase Fontaine
- Birthday as Michael
2007
- Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! as Self
- Reaper as Steve
- The Ten as Prison Guard Jamberg Saivon
- Run Fatboy Run ... (Screenplay)
- Reno 911!: Miami as Ron of Ron's Tattoo
2006
- Wedding Daze ... (Director)
- Frisky Dingo as Chase Fontaine (voice)
- I Love the '70s: Volume 2 as Self
- I Love Toys
2005
- The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson as Self
- The Baxter as Ed
- Partner(s) as Christopher
- Stella
- Alchemy as Jerry (voice)
2004
- Tom Goes to the Mayor as Dr. Ian Black (voice)
2003
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! as Self
- Reno 911! as Kevin the Sex Offender
- Celebrity Poker Showdown as Self
2002
- Stella Shorts 1998-2002 as Michael
2001
- Wet Hot American Summer as McKinley
2000
- Ed as Phil Stubbs
- The Bogus Witch Project as Stephen Hawking (segment "In the Woods")
1999
- The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn as Self - Guest
- Random Play
1997
- Viva Variety as Johnny Blue Jeans
1995
1994
- The State as Various Characters
1992
- I'm Your Man ... (Screenplay)
1991
- Cults: Saying No Under Pressure as Male Student (as Michael Schwartz)