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