Michael Ian Black
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.
Known For
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Peacemaker
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Reno 911!
Reno 911!
Superman
All Movies (43)
- Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass2026 · as Remi Fontaine
- Deepfaking Sam Altman2026 · as Self
- Superman2025 · as Cleavis Thornwaite
- Long Live the State2025 · as Self
- Sorry/Not Sorry2024 · as Self
- Handyman from Hell2023 · as Philosophy Contractor
- Spinning Gold2023 · as Bill Aucoin
- Linoleum2023 · as Tony
- Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist2022 · as Hatzolah Commander
- First One In2020 · as Philip
- Calls2020
- Sextuplets2019 · as Doug
- I Want My MTV2019 · as Self
- Michael Ian Black: Noted Expert2016 · as Self
- Folk Hero & Funny Guy2016 · as Randy Jeppesen
- Slash2016 · as Denis
- Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot2015 · as Self
- Smosh: The Movie2015 · as Steve Youtube
- Misery Loves Comedy2015 · as Self
- Beef2014 · as Lynn Vanderloo
- Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles2014 · as Self
- They Came Together2014 · as Trevor
- Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable2013 · as Self
- Hell Baby2013 · as Dr. Marshall
- This Is 402012 · as Accountant
- Wanderlust2012 · as Himself
- Michael Ian Black: Very Famous2011 · as Self
- Take Me Home Tonight2011 · as Pete Bering
- Stella: Live in Boston2009 · as Michael
- Birthday2008 · as Michael
- The Ten2007 · as Prison Guard Jamberg Saivon
- Reno 911!: Miami2007 · as Ron of Ron's Tattoo
- The Baxter2005 · as Ed
- Partner(s)2005 · as Christopher
- Alchemy2005 · as Jerry (voice)
- Stella Shorts 1998-20022002 · as Michael
- Wet Hot American Summer2001 · as McKinley
- The Bogus Witch Project2000 · as Stephen Hawking (segment "In the Woods")
- Big Helium Dog1999 · as Martin Huber
- The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special1995 · as Various
- Cults: Saying No Under Pressure1991 · as Male Student (as Michael Schwartz)
- MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers—
- Bad Day For Bigfoot—
All TV Shows (60)
- Have I Got News for You2024 · as Self - Team Captain
- Criss Angel's Magic with the Stars2022 · as Self
- Would I Lie to You?2022 · as Self
- Reno 911! Defunded2022 · as Miss Mertz
- Reno 911! Defunded2022 · as Time Traveler
- Reno 911! Defunded2022 · as Hatzolah Captain
- Reno 911! Defunded2022 · as Organ Dealer
- Peacemaker2022 · as Cleavis Thornwaite
- Name That Tune2021 · as Self - Contestant
- Reno 911!2020 · as Hatzolah Commander
- Retro Tech2019 · as Self - Actor / Writer / Comedian
- Bless This Mess2019 · as Cheff
- The Fix2018 · as Self - Guest
- Insatiable2018 · as Pastor Mike
- Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters2018
- Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later2017 · as McKinley / George H.W. Bush
- The Good Fight2017 · as Stephen Rankin-Hall
- Search Party2016 · as Wally
- Debate Wars2016 · as Self - Host
- Match Game2016 · as Self - Panelist
- Join or Die with Craig Ferguson2016 · as Self
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert2015 · as Self - Guest
- Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp2015 · as McKinley Dozen
- The Jim Gaffigan Show2015 · as Daniel
- Another Period2015 · as Peepers
- Deadbeat2014 · as TJ
- Late Night with Seth Meyers2014 · as Self - Guest
- Duck Quacks Don't Echo2014 · as Self - Host
- Us & Them2014 · as Brian
- @midnight with Chris Hardwick2013 · as Self
- Maron2013 · as Himself
- Gotham Comedy Live2012 · as Self - Host
- You're Whole2012 · as Randall Tyree Mandersohn
- The Burn with Jeff Ross2012 · as Self
- Burning Love2012 · as Bill Tundle
- Impractical Jokers2011
- Backwash2010 · as Fleming
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen2009 · as Self - Guest
- Michael & Michael Have Issues2009 · as Self
- The Xtacles2008 · as Chase Fontaine
- Reality Bites Back2008 · as Host
- I Love the New Millennium2008 · as Self
- Reaper2007 · as Steve
- Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!2007 · as Self
- Frisky Dingo2006 · as Chase Fontaine (voice)
- I Love the '70s: Volume 22006 · as Self
- I Love Toys2006
- Stella2005
- The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson2005 · as Self
- Tom Goes to the Mayor2004 · as Dr. Ian Black (voice)
- Celebrity Poker Showdown2003 · as Self
- Reno 911!2003 · as Kevin the Sex Offender
- Reno 911!2003 · as Chris
- Jimmy Kimmel Live!2003 · as Self
- Ed2000 · as Phil Stubbs
- Random Play1999
- The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn1999 · as Self - Guest
- Comedy Central Presents1998 · as Self
- Viva Variety1997 · as Johnny Blue Jeans
- The State1994 · as Various Characters