Michael Ian Black
Known for: Acting
Born: August 12, 1971
Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA
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.
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Filmography
47 movies · 56 TV shows, newest first
6.5
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass
2026
NR
Deepfaking Sam Altman
2026
NR
Alaskan Murder Mystery
2025
7.3
Superman
2025
NR
Long Live the State
2025
6.2
Have I Got News for You
2024
4.2
Sorry/Not Sorry
2024
3.8
Handyman from Hell
2023
5.5
Spinning Gold
2023
6.3
Linoleum
2023
5.7
Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist
2022
5.0
Criss Angel's Magic with the Stars
2022
4.0
Would I Lie to You?
2022
7.2
Reno 911! Defunded
2022
8.2
Peacemaker
2022
6.9
Name That Tune
2021
4.7
First One In
2020NR
Calls
2020
8.6
Reno 911!
2020
9.0
Retro Tech
2019
6.2
Sextuplets
2019
7.5
I Want My MTV
2019
6.1
Bless This Mess
2019
6.3
The Fix
2018
7.7
Insatiable
2018
5.6
Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters
2018
6.5
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later
2017
7.6
The Good Fight
2017
6.9
Search Party
2016NR
Debate Wars
2016
6.4
Match Game
2016
6.7
Michael Ian Black: Noted Expert
2016
5.2
Folk Hero & Funny Guy
2016
5.8
Slash
2016
6.9
Join or Die with Craig Ferguson
2016
6.1
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
6.4
Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot
2015
6.4
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
2015
4.4
Smosh: The Movie
2015
5.8
The Jim Gaffigan Show
2015
6.8
Another Period
2015
6.1
Misery Loves Comedy
2015
6.1
Beef
2014
7.4
Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
2014
5.5
They Came Together
2014
6.6
Deadbeat
2014
5.1
Late Night with Seth Meyers
2014
NR
Duck Quacks Don't Echo
2014
6.8
Us & Them
2014NR
Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable
2013
5.3
@midnight with Chris Hardwick
2013
5.1
Hell Baby
2013
7.0
Maron
2013
5.9
This Is 40
2012
5.5
Gotham Comedy Live
2012
6.7
You're Whole
2012
7.0
The Burn with Jeff Ross
2012
7.3
Burning Love
2012
5.5
Wanderlust
2012
8.0
Impractical Jokers
2011
7.0
Michael Ian Black: Very Famous
2011
6.0
Take Me Home Tonight
2011NR
Backwash
2010
5.2
Stella: Live in Boston
2009
4.9
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009
5.0
Michael & Michael Have Issues
2009NR
Birthday
2008
6.0
The Xtacles
2008
10.0
Reality Bites Back
2008
NR
I Love the New Millennium
2008
7.1
Reaper
2007
6.2
Run Fatboy Run
2007
4.8
The Ten
2007
5.8
Reno 911!: Miami
2007
7.2
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
2007
7.4
Frisky Dingo
2006
5.6
Wedding Daze
2006
NR
I Love the '70s: Volume 2
2006NR
I Love Toys
2006
6.0
The Baxter
2005
6.0
Partner(s)
2005
6.6
Stella
2005
5.5
Alchemy
2005
6.8
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
2005
7.0
Tom Goes to the Mayor
2004
7.5
Celebrity Poker Showdown
2003
7.2
Reno 911!
2003
5.3
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2003
4.0
Stella Shorts 1998-2002
2002
6.2
Wet Hot American Summer
2001
3.3
The Bogus Witch Project
2000
7.6
Ed
2000NR
Random Play
1999
5.3
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
1999
4.3
Big Helium Dog
1999
7.0
Comedy Central Presents
1998
7.0
Viva Variety
1997
4.0
The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special
1995
6.8
The State
19947.0
I'm Your Man
19928.0
Cults: Saying No Under Pressure
1991
NR
MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers
—NR
Bad Day For Bigfoot
—