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