
Michael Ian Black
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- August 12, 1971
- Birthplace
- 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.
Filmography
- Bad Day For Bigfoot
Bad Day For Bigfoot TBA
Actor

MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers TBA
Actor

Michael Ian Black: First Annual Retirement Special 2026
as Self, Writer

Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass 2026
as Very Famous Star Maps Salesman

Deepfaking Sam Altman 2026
as Self

Alaskan Murder Mystery 2025
Writer

Superman 2025
as Cleavis Thornwaite

Long Live the State 2025
as Self

Sorry/Not Sorry 2024
as Self

Handyman from Hell 2023
as Philosophy Contractor

Spinning Gold 2023
as Bill Aucoin

Linoleum 2023
as Tony

Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist 2022
as Hatzolah Commander

First One In 2020
as Philip
- Calls
Calls 2020
Actor

Sextuplets 2019
as Doug

I Want My MTV 2019
as Self

Michael Ian Black: Noted Expert 2016
as Self, Writer

Folk Hero & Funny Guy 2016
as Randy Jeppesen

Slash 2016
as Denis

Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot 2015
as Self

Smosh: The Movie 2015
as Steve Youtube

Misery Loves Comedy 2015
as Self

Beef 2014
as Lynn Vanderloo, Writer, Producer

Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2014
as Self

They Came Together 2014
as Trevor
- Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable
Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable 2013
as Self

Hell Baby 2013
as Dr. Marshall

This Is 40 2012
as Accountant

Wanderlust 2012
as Himself

Michael Ian Black: Very Famous 2011
as Self, Writer

Take Me Home Tonight 2011
as Pete Bering

Stella: Live in Boston 2009
as Michael
- Birthday
Birthday 2008
as Michael

Run Fatboy Run 2007
Screenplay

The Ten 2007
as Prison Guard Jamberg Saivon

Reno 911!: Miami 2007
as Ron of Ron's Tattoo

Wedding Daze 2006
Director, Screenplay

The Baxter 2005
as Ed

Partner(s) 2005
as Christopher

Alchemy 2005
as Jerry (voice)

Stella Shorts 1998-2002 2002
as Michael, Writer, Director

Wet Hot American Summer 2001
as McKinley

The Bogus Witch Project 2000
as Stephen Hawking (segment "In the Woods")

Big Helium Dog 1999
as Martin Huber

The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special 1995
as Various
- I'm Your Man
I'm Your Man 1992
Screenplay
- Cults: Saying No Under Pressure
Cults: Saying No Under Pressure 1991
as Male Student (as Michael Schwartz)
Credits from TMDB.