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Michael Ian Black
Actor, Writer, Director, Producer, Additional CreditsBorn August 12, 1971 (54 years)
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.
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 & Shows on Plex
Known For
Michael Ian Black Filmography
| 2025 | Superman · as Cleavis Thornwaite |
| 2023 | Handyman from Hell · as Philosophy Contractor |
| 2023 | Spinning Gold · as Bill Aucoin |
| 2022 | Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist · as Hatzolah Commander |
| 2022 | Linoleum · as Tony |
| 2022 | Reno 911! Defunded (TV Series) · as Time Traveler |
| 2022 | Peacemaker (TV Series) · as Cleavis Thornwaite |
| 2020 | First One In · as Philip |
| 2020 | Reno 911! (TV Series) · as Hatzolah Commander |
| 2019 | Helpsters (TV Series) · as Sea Lovin' Sam |
| 2019 | Sextuplets · as Doug |
| 2019 | Bless This Mess (TV Series) · as Cheff |
| 2018 | Insatiable (TV Series) · as Pastor Mike |
| 2018 | Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters (TV Series) |
| 2017 | Who Is? (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 2017 | Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (TV Series) · as Mckinley / George H.w. Bush |
| 2017 | The Good Fight (TV Series) · as Stephen Rankin-Hall |
| 2016 | Slash · as Denis |
| 2016 | Search Party (2016) (TV Series) · as Wally |
| 2016 | Folk Hero & Funny Guy · as Randy Jeppesen |
| 2015 | Wet Hot American Summer (TV Series) · as Mckinley Dozen |
| 2015 | Smosh: The Movie · as Steve Youtube |
| 2015 | The Jim Gaffigan Show (TV Series) · as Daniel |
| 2014 | Us & Them (TV Series) · as Brian |
| 2014 | Beef · as Lynn Vanderloo |
| 2014 | They Came Together · as Trevor |
| 2014 | |
| 2013 | |
| 2013 | Another Period (TV Series) · as Peepers |
| 2013 | Inside Amy Schumer (TV Series) · as Martin Daniels |
| 2012 | This Is 40 · as Accountant |
| 2012 | You're Whole (TV Series) · as Randall Tyree Mandersohn |
| 2012 | Burning Love (TV Series) · as Bill Tundle |
| 2011 | Impractical Jokers (TV Series) |
| 2011 | Take Me Home Tonight · as Pete Bering |
| 2010 | Backwash (TV Series) · as Fleming |
| 2009 | Mercy (TV Series) · as Mark Gunther |
| 2009 | Stella: Live in Boston · as Michael |
| 2008 | The Xtacles (TV Series) · as Chase Fontaine |
| 2008 | Reality Bites Back (TV Series) · as Host |
| 2007 | Reaper (TV Series) · as Steve |
| 2007 | The Ten · as Prison Guard Jamberg Saivon |
| 2007 | Wainy Days (TV Series) · as Waiter |
| 2007 | Reno 911!: Miami · as Ron Of Ron's Tattoo |
| 2006 | CollegeHumor Shorts (TV Series) · as Speaker |
| 2006 | I Love Toys (TV Series) |
| 2006 | Frisky Dingo (TV Series) · as Chase Fontaine (voice) |
| 2005 | The Baxter · as Ed |
| 2005 | Partner(s) · as Christopher |
| 2005 | Stella (TV Series) |
| 2005 | Alchemy · as Jerry (voice) |
| 2005 | Robot Chicken (TV Series) · as Mo-Larr |
| 2004 | Tom Goes to the Mayor (TV Series) · as Dr. Ian Black (voice) |
| 2004 | Cheap Seats (TV Series) · as Eztech Executive |
| 2003 | Reno 911! (TV Series) · as Chris |
| 2002 | Stella Shorts 1998-2002 · as Michael |
| 2002 | I Love... (TV Series) |
| 2002 | Crank Yankers (TV Series) · as Al Foster #2 |
| 2001 | Wet Hot American Summer · as Mckinley |
| 2000 | The Bogus Witch Project · as Stephen Hawking (segment "in The Woods") |
| 2000 | Ed (TV Series) · as Phil Stubbs |
| 1999 | Big Helium Dog · as Martin Huber |
| 1998 | Hercules (TV Series) · as Romulus |
| 1997 | Viva Variety (TV Series) · as Johnny Blue Jeans |
| 1996 | The Daily Show (TV Series) · as Johnny Blue Jeans |
| 1995 | The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special · as Various |
| 1993 | The State (TV Series) · as Various Characters |
| 1993 | NYPD Blue (TV Series) · as Joey Diaz |
| 1993 | You Wrote It, You Watch It (TV Series) · as (segment: Italian Mother, Singing Lesson) |
| 1992 | I'm Your Man · as Party Attendee |
| 1991 | Cults: Saying No Under Pressure · as Male Student (as Michael Schwartz) |
| 2025 | Deepfaking Sam Altman · as Self |
| 2024 | Have I Got News for You (US) (TV Series) · as Self - Team Captain |
| 2023 | Sorry/Not Sorry · as Self |
| 2022 | Criss Angel's Magic With the Stars (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2022 | Would I Lie to You? (US) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2021 | Eye Candy (2021) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2021 | Name That Tune (TV Series) · as Self - Contestant |
| 2021 | Festpocalypse! · as Self |
| 2020 | Earth to Ned (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Star |
| 2020 | GMA3: What You Need to Know (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2020 | The George Lucas Talk Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2020 | Dishmantled (TV Series) · as Self - Judge |
| 2019 | Biography: I Want My MTV · as Self |
| 2019 | Retro Tech (TV Series) · as Self - Actor / Writer / Comedian |
| 2019 | It Started as a Joke · as Self |
| 2018 | The Fix (2018) (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2017 | The Opposition with Jordan Klepper (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2017 | Katy Perry Live: Witness World Wide · as Self - Guest |
| 2017 | The High Court (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Bailiff |
| 2016 | Match Game (2016) (TV Series) · as Self - Panelist |
| 2016 | Michael Ian Black: Noted Expert · as Self |
| 2016 | Join or Die with Craig Ferguson (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2015 | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2015 | Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot · as Self |
| 2015 | Gutfeld! (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Panelist |
| 2015 | StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson (TV Series) · as Self - Co-Host |
| 2015 | Misery Loves Comedy · as Self |
| 2015 | Garbage Time With Katie Nolan (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2015 | The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore (TV Series) · as Self - Panelist |
| 2014 | The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2014 | |
| 2014 | Riot (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Captain |
| 2014 | Late Night with Seth Meyers (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2014 | Duck Quacks Don't Echo (TV Series) · as Self - Host |
| 2013 | Trust Me, I'm a Game Show Host (TV Series) · as Self - Host |
| 2013 | @midnight (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2013 | Maron (TV Series) · as Michael Ian Black |
| 2012 | Gotham Comedy Live (TV Series) · as Self - Host |
| 2012 | Katie (2012) (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2012 | The Burn With Jeff Ross (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2012 | Game Grumps (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2012 | Larry King Now (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2012 | Comedy Bang! Bang! (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2012 | Wanderlust · as Himself |
| 2011 | Would You Rather... (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2011 | Rocco's Dinner Party (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2011 | Michael Ian Black: Very Famous · as Self |
| 2011 | Big Morning Buzz Live (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2010 | The Benson Interruption (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2010 | John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show (TV Series) · as Self - Comedian |
| 2009 | Talk Stoop (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | Michael and Michael Have Issues (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2009 | Kevin Pollak's Chat Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2008 | I Love the New Millennium (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | Morning Joe (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Panelist |
| 2007 | The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | A Lawyer Walks Into a Bar... · as Self |
| 2006 | I Love The 70s Volume 2 (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | I Love the Holidays · as Self |
| 2005 | I Love The 80s 3-D (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | Made In Hollywood (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | I Love the 90's Part Deux (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | I Love The 90's (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Celebrity Poker Showdown (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | VH1 Big in 03 · as Self |
| 2003 | I Love the 80s Strikes Back (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | I Love the 70s (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2002 | I Love The 80s (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2002 | Reel Comedy (TV Series) · as Self - Host |
| 2002 | Last Call with Carson Daly (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2001 | Spy TV (TV Series) · as Self - Host |
| 1999 | The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1998 | Comedy Central Presents (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1998 | The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Drew Carey · as Self - Audience Member |
| 1994 | Sidewalks Entertainment (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1992 | Late Show with David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1979 | CBS Sunday Morning With Jane Pauley (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1952 | Today (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2025 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2013 | Another Period (TV Series) |
| 2011 | |
| 2010 | John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show (TV Series) |
| 2009 | |
| 2007 | Run Fatboy Run · as Screenplay |
| 2007 | Wainy Days (TV Series) |
| 2006 | Wedding Daze · as Screenplay |
| 2005 | Stella (TV Series) |
| 2002 | |
| 1997 | Viva Variety (TV Series) |
| 1995 | |
| 1993 | You Wrote It, You Watch It (TV Series) |
| 1992 | I'm Your Man · as Screenplay |
| 2009 | Michael and Michael Have Issues (TV Series) |
| 2007 | Wainy Days (TV Series) |
| 2006 | |
| 2002 |
| 2017 | Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (TV Series) · as Consulting Producer |
| 2014 | |
| 2012 | You're Whole (TV Series) · as Executive Producer |
| 2009 | Stella: Live in Boston · as Executive Producer |
| 2009 | Michael and Michael Have Issues (TV Series) |
| 2005 | Stella (TV Series) |
| 1998 | Comedy Central Presents (TV Series) · as Executive Producer |
| 1997 | Viva Variety (TV Series) |
| 2012 | You're Whole (TV Series) · as Creator |
| 2009 | Michael and Michael Have Issues (TV Series) · as Creator |
| 1998 | Comedy Central Presents (TV Series) · as Series Originated |
| 1993 | The State (TV Series) · as Creator |