Michael Ian Black
Acting • Born 1971-08-12
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
100 credits
Wet Hot American Summer
Movie • 2001
McKinley
Spinning Gold
Movie • 2023
Bill Aucoin
The Baxter
Movie • 2005
Ed
The Ten
Movie • 2007
Prison Guard Jamberg Saivon
Alchemy
Movie • 2005
Jerry (voice)
Take Me Home Tonight
Movie • 2011
Pete Bering
Michael Ian Black: Very Famous
Movie • 2011
Self
This Is 40
Movie • 2012
Accountant
Hell Baby
Movie • 2013
Dr. Marshall
Sorry/Not Sorry
Movie • 2024
Self
Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable
Movie • 2013
Self
Handyman from Hell
Movie • 2023
Philosophy Contractor
They Came Together
Movie • 2014
Trevor
Stella: Live in Boston
Movie • 2009
Michael
Misery Loves Comedy
Movie • 2015
Self
Slash
Movie • 2016
Denis
Smosh: The Movie
Movie • 2015
Steve Youtube
Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist
Movie • 2022
Hatzolah Commander
Wanderlust
Movie • 2012
Himself
Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot
Movie • 2015
Self
Folk Hero & Funny Guy
Movie • 2016
Randy Jeppesen
Michael Ian Black: Noted Expert
Movie • 2016
Self
Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Movie • 2014
Self
Beef
Movie • 2014
Lynn Vanderloo
Reno 911!: Miami
Movie • 2007
Ron of Ron's Tattoo
Birthday
Movie • 2008
Michael
Sextuplets
Movie • 2019
Doug
MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers
Movie
I Want My MTV
Movie • 2019
Self
The Bogus Witch Project
Movie • 2000
Stephen Hawking (segment "In the Woods")
Partner(s)
Movie • 2005
Christopher
Calls
Movie • 2020
First One In
Movie • 2020
Philip
Stella Shorts 1998-2002
Movie • 2002
Michael
The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special
Movie • 1995
Various
Linoleum
Movie • 2023
Tony
Long Live the State
Movie • 2025
Self
Superman
Movie • 2025
Cleavis Thornwaite
Cults: Saying No Under Pressure
Movie • 1991
Male Student (as Michael Schwartz)
Deepfaking Sam Altman
Movie • 2026
Self
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass
Movie • 2026
Big Helium Dog
Movie • 1999
Martin Huber
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
TV • 2003
Self
Frisky Dingo
TV • 2006
Chase Fontaine (voice)
Ed
TV • 2000
Phil Stubbs
Reno 911!
TV • 2003
Kevin the Sex Offender
Tom Goes to the Mayor
TV • 2004
Dr. Ian Black (voice)
The State
TV • 1994
Various Characters
Stella
TV • 2005
Retro Tech
TV • 2019
Self - Actor / Writer / Comedian
Reaper
TV • 2007
Steve
Viva Variety
TV • 1997
Johnny Blue Jeans
Reality Bites Back
TV • 2008
Host
The Xtacles
TV • 2008
Chase Fontaine
I Love Toys
TV • 2006
Michael & Michael Have Issues
TV • 2009
Self
I Love the '70s: Volume 2
TV • 2006
Self
I Love the New Millennium
TV • 2008
Self
You're Whole
TV • 2012
Randall Tyree Mandersohn
Random Play
TV • 1999
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
TV • 1999
Self - Guest
Burning Love
TV • 2012
Bill Tundle
Us & Them
TV • 2014
Brian
Reno 911!
TV • 2003
Chris
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
TV • 2005
Self
Another Period
TV • 2015
Peepers
Deadbeat
TV • 2014
TJ
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
TV • 2015
McKinley Dozen
The Jim Gaffigan Show
TV • 2015
Daniel
Join or Die with Craig Ferguson
TV • 2016
Self
Insatiable
TV • 2018
Pastor Mike
Duck Quacks Don't Echo
TV • 2014
Self - Host
Late Night with Seth Meyers
TV • 2014
Self - Guest
Search Party
TV • 2016
Wally
Debate Wars
TV • 2016
Self - Host
Gotham Comedy Live
TV • 2012
Self - Host
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later
TV • 2017
McKinley / George H.W. Bush
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
TV • 2007
Self
Name That Tune
TV • 2021
Self - Contestant
Would I Lie to You?
TV • 2022
Self
@midnight with Chris Hardwick
TV • 2013
Self
The Good Fight
TV • 2017
Stephen Rankin-Hall
Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters
TV • 2018
Match Game
TV • 2016
Self - Panelist
Celebrity Poker Showdown
TV • 2003
Self
The Burn with Jeff Ross
TV • 2012
Self
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
TV • 2009
Self - Guest
Criss Angel's Magic with the Stars
TV • 2022
Self
Bless This Mess
TV • 2019
Cheff
Have I Got News for You
TV • 2024
Self - Team Captain
Impractical Jokers
TV • 2011
The Fix
TV • 2018
Self - Guest
Reno 911!
TV • 2020
Hatzolah Commander
Reno 911! Defunded
TV • 2022
Miss Mertz
Reno 911! Defunded
TV • 2022
Time Traveler
Reno 911! Defunded
TV • 2022
Hatzolah Captain
Reno 911! Defunded
TV • 2022
Organ Dealer
Peacemaker
TV • 2022
Cleavis Thornwaite
Backwash
TV • 2010
Fleming
Comedy Central Presents
TV • 1998
Self