Michael Ian Black
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.
98 acting credits · 2 directing credits
Acting · 98
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009
Late Night with Seth Meyers
2014
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
2005
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2003
The Good Fight
2017
Peacemaker
2022
Superman
2025
Reno 911!
2003
@midnight with Chris Hardwick
2013
Ed
2000
Search Party
2016
Impractical Jokers
2011
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
2007
Match Game
2016
Reaper
2007
Insatiable
2018
Tom Goes to the Mayor
2004
Gotham Comedy Live
2012
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
1999
Another Period
2015
Comedy Central Presents
1998
Burning Love
2012
Name That Tune
2021
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later
2017
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
2015
Maron
2013
Bless This Mess
2019
Reno 911!
2020
The State
1994
Join or Die with Craig Ferguson
2016
Deadbeat
2014
Sextuplets
2019
Would I Lie to You?
2022
This Is 40
2012
Celebrity Poker Showdown
2003
Frisky Dingo
2006
Have I Got News for You
2024
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass
2026
The Burn with Jeff Ross
2012
The Jim Gaffigan Show
2015
Reno 911! Defunded
2022
Stella
2005
Us & Them
2014
Wanderlust
2012
I Love the '70s: Volume 2
2006
Take Me Home Tonight
2011
I Love the New Millennium
2008
Michael & Michael Have Issues
2009
They Came Together
2014
Criss Angel's Magic with the Stars
2022
Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters
2018
The Fix
2018
Retro Tech
2019
Reno 911!: Miami
2007
Viva Variety
1997
Wet Hot American Summer
2001
The Ten
2007
Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist
2022
Hell Baby
2013
Misery Loves Comedy
2015
Stella Shorts 1998-2002
2002
Random Play
1999
Reality Bites Back
2008
Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot
2015
Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
2014
First One In
2020
The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special
1995
Smosh: The Movie
2015
You're Whole
2012
The Baxter
2005
Spinning Gold
2023
Slash
2016
Linoleum
2023
The Xtacles
2008
I Love Toys
2006
Deepfaking Sam Altman
2026
Debate Wars
2016
Folk Hero & Funny Guy
2016
Long Live the State
2025
The Bogus Witch Project
2000
Duck Quacks Don't Echo
2014
Partner(s)
2005
Alchemy
2005
Beef
2014
Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable
2013
Sorry/Not Sorry
2024
I Want My MTV
2019
Backwash
2010
Cults: Saying No Under Pressure
1991
Handyman from Hell
2023
Birthday
2008
Big Helium Dog
1999
Calls
2020
Michael Ian Black: Noted Expert
2016
Stella: Live in Boston
2009
MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers
—
Michael Ian Black: Very Famous
2011
