Michael Ian Black

Michael Ian Black

Acting
Born 1971-08-12Chicago, Illinois, USA

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.

Movies (43)

Superman
7.3

Superman

2025Movie7.3
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass
6.2

Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass

2026Movie6.2
This Is 40
5.9

This Is 40

2012Movie5.9
Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot
6.4

Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot

2015Movie6.4
Wanderlust
5.5

Wanderlust

2012Movie5.5
They Came Together
5.5

They Came Together

2014Movie5.5
Linoleum
6.3

Linoleum

2023Movie6.3
Misery Loves Comedy
6.1

Misery Loves Comedy

2015Movie6.1
Sextuplets
6.2

Sextuplets

2019Movie6.2
Wet Hot American Summer
6.2

Wet Hot American Summer

2001Movie6.2
Spinning Gold
5.5

Spinning Gold

2023Movie5.5
Take Me Home Tonight
6.0

Take Me Home Tonight

2011Movie6.0
Reno 911!: Miami
5.8

Reno 911!: Miami

2007Movie5.8
The Ten
4.8

The Ten

2007Movie4.8
Smosh: The Movie
4.4

Smosh: The Movie

2015Movie4.4
Partner(s)
6.0

Partner(s)

2005Movie6.0
Hell Baby
5.1

Hell Baby

2013Movie5.1
The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special
4.0

The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special

1995Movie4.0
First One In
4.7

First One In

2020Movie4.7
Handyman from Hell
3.8

Handyman from Hell

2023Movie3.8
Folk Hero & Funny Guy
5.2

Folk Hero & Funny Guy

2016Movie5.2
The Baxter
6.0

The Baxter

2005Movie6.0
Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
7.4

Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

2014Movie7.4
Stella Shorts 1998-2002
4.0

Stella Shorts 1998-2002

2002Movie4.0
Bad Day For Bigfoot

Bad Day For Bigfoot

Movie
Deepfaking Sam Altman

Deepfaking Sam Altman

2026Movie
Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable

Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable

2013Movie
I Want My MTV
7.5

I Want My MTV

2019Movie7.5
Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist
5.7

Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist

2022Movie5.7
Slash
5.8

Slash

2016Movie5.8
Long Live the State

Long Live the State

2025Movie
Big Helium Dog
4.3

Big Helium Dog

1999Movie4.3
Cults: Saying No Under Pressure
8.0

Cults: Saying No Under Pressure

1991Movie8.0
Beef
6.1

Beef

2014Movie6.1
Sorry/Not Sorry
4.2

Sorry/Not Sorry

2024Movie4.2
Calls

Calls

2020Movie
The Bogus Witch Project
3.3

The Bogus Witch Project

2000Movie3.3
Alchemy
5.5

Alchemy

2005Movie5.5
Birthday

Birthday

2008Movie
MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers

MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers

Movie
Stella: Live in Boston
5.2

Stella: Live in Boston

2009Movie5.2
Michael Ian Black: Noted Expert
6.7

Michael Ian Black: Noted Expert

2016Movie6.7
Michael Ian Black: Very Famous
7.0

Michael Ian Black: Very Famous

2011Movie7.0

TV Shows (56)

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
4.9

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

2009Series4.9
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
6.1

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

2015Series6.1
Late Night with Seth Meyers
5.1

Late Night with Seth Meyers

2014Series5.1
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
6.8

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

2005Series6.8
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
5.3

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003Series5.3
Reno 911!
7.2

Reno 911!

2003Series7.2
Peacemaker
8.2

Peacemaker

2022Series8.2
The Good Fight
7.6

The Good Fight

2017Series7.6
@midnight with Chris Hardwick
5.3

@midnight with Chris Hardwick

2013Series5.3
Impractical Jokers
8.0

Impractical Jokers

2011Series8.0
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
7.2

Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!

2007Series7.2
Name That Tune
6.9

Name That Tune

2021Series6.9
Match Game
6.4

Match Game

2016Series6.4
Reaper
7.1

Reaper

2007Series7.1
Search Party
6.9

Search Party

2016Series6.9
Burning Love
7.3

Burning Love

2012Series7.3
Another Period
6.8

Another Period

2015Series6.8
Ed
7.6

Ed

2000Series7.6
Comedy Central Presents
7.0

Comedy Central Presents

1998Series7.0
Insatiable
7.7

Insatiable

2018Series7.7
Gotham Comedy Live
5.5

Gotham Comedy Live

2012Series5.5
Tom Goes to the Mayor
7.0

Tom Goes to the Mayor

2004Series7.0
Reno 911!
8.6

Reno 911!

2020Series8.6
Maron
7.0

Maron

2013Series7.0
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
5.3

The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn

1999Series5.3
Have I Got News for You
6.2

Have I Got News for You

2024Series6.2
Bless This Mess
6.1

Bless This Mess

2019Series6.1
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later
6.5

Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later

2017Series6.5
The Burn with Jeff Ross
7.0

The Burn with Jeff Ross

2012Series7.0
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
6.4

Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp

2015Series6.4
Celebrity Poker Showdown
7.5

Celebrity Poker Showdown

2003Series7.5
Join or Die with Craig Ferguson
6.9

Join or Die with Craig Ferguson

2016Series6.9
The State
6.8

The State

1994Series6.8
Deadbeat
6.6

Deadbeat

2014Series6.6
Michael & Michael Have Issues
5.0

Michael & Michael Have Issues

2009Series5.0
Reno 911! Defunded
7.2

Reno 911! Defunded

2022Series7.2
The Jim Gaffigan Show
5.8

The Jim Gaffigan Show

2015Series5.8
Frisky Dingo
7.4

Frisky Dingo

2006Series7.4
Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters
5.6

Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters

2018Series5.6
Would I Lie to You?
4.0

Would I Lie to You?

2022Series4.0
I Love the '70s: Volume 2

I Love the '70s: Volume 2

2006Series
The Fix
6.3

The Fix

2018Series6.3
Retro Tech
9.0

Retro Tech

2019Series9.0
Criss Angel's Magic with the Stars
5.0

Criss Angel's Magic with the Stars

2022Series5.0
Us & Them
6.8

Us & Them

2014Series6.8
Viva Variety
7.0

Viva Variety

1997Series7.0
Stella
6.6

Stella

2005Series6.6
I Love the New Millennium

I Love the New Millennium

2008Series
I Love Toys

I Love Toys

2006Series
Random Play

Random Play

1999Series
Backwash

Backwash

2010Series
Reality Bites Back
10.0

Reality Bites Back

2008Series10.0
Duck Quacks Don't Echo

Duck Quacks Don't Echo

2014Series
You're Whole
6.7

You're Whole

2012Series6.7
The Xtacles
6.0

The Xtacles

2008Series6.0
Debate Wars

Debate Wars

2016Series