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.
Long Live the State
Self
2025
Have I Got News for You
Self - Team Captain · (20 episodes)
2024
Sorry/Not Sorry
Self
2024
Handyman from Hell
Philosophy Contractor
2023
Spinning Gold
Bill Aucoin
2023
Linoleum
Tony
2023
Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist
Hatzolah Commander
2022
Criss Angel's Magic with the Stars
Self · (1 episode)
2022
Would I Lie to You?
Self · (2 episodes)
2022
Reno 911! Defunded
Miss Mertz · (1 episode)
2022
Reno 911! Defunded
Time Traveler · (1 episode)
2022
Reno 911! Defunded
Hatzolah Captain · (1 episode)
2022
Reno 911! Defunded
Organ Dealer · (1 episode)
2022
Name That Tune
Self - Contestant · (1 episode)
2021
First One In
Philip
2020
Calls
2020
Reno 911!
Hatzolah Commander · (2 episodes)
2020
Retro Tech
Self - Actor / Writer / Comedian · (1 episode)
2019
Sextuplets
Doug
2019
I Want My MTV
Self
2019
Bless This Mess
Cheff · (1 episode)
2019
The Fix
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2018
Insatiable
Pastor Mike · (5 episodes)
2018
Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters
(1 episode)
2018
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later
McKinley / George H.W. Bush · (8 episodes)
2017
The Good Fight
Stephen Rankin-Hall · (2 episodes)
2017
Search Party
Wally · (1 episode)
2016
Debate Wars
Self - Host · (6 episodes)
2016
Match Game
Self - Panelist · (1 episode)
2016
Michael Ian Black: Noted Expert
Self
2016
Folk Hero & Funny Guy
Randy Jeppesen
2016
Slash
Denis
2016
Join or Die with Craig Ferguson
Self · (2 episodes)
2016
Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot
Self
2015
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
McKinley Dozen · (8 episodes)
2015
Smosh: The Movie
Steve Youtube
2015
The Jim Gaffigan Show
Daniel · (11 episodes)
2015
Another Period
Peepers · (32 episodes)
2015
Misery Loves Comedy
Self
2015
Beef
Lynn Vanderloo
2014
Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Self
2014
They Came Together
Trevor
2014
Deadbeat
TJ · (1 episode)
2014
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self · (1 episode)
2014
Duck Quacks Don't Echo
Self - Host · (14 episodes)
2014
Us & Them
Brian · (7 episodes)
2014
Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable
Self
2013
@midnight with Chris Hardwick
Self · (2 episodes)
2013
Hell Baby
Dr. Marshall
2013
This Is 40
Accountant
2012
Gotham Comedy Live
Self - Host · (1 episode)
2012
You're Whole
Randall Tyree Mandersohn · (9 episodes)
2012
The Burn with Jeff Ross
Self · (1 episode)
2012
Burning Love
Bill Tundle · (42 episodes)
2012
Wanderlust
Himself
2012
Impractical Jokers
(1 episode)
2011
Michael Ian Black: Very Famous
Self
2011
Take Me Home Tonight
Pete Bering
2011
Backwash
Fleming
2010
Stella: Live in Boston
Michael
2009
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2009
Michael & Michael Have Issues
Self · (7 episodes)
2009
Birthday
Michael
2008
The Xtacles
Chase Fontaine · (2 episodes)
2008
Reality Bites Back
Host · (8 episodes)
2008
I Love the New Millennium
Self · (8 episodes)
2008
Reaper
(5 episodes)
2007
The Ten
Prison Guard Jamberg Saivon
2007
Reno 911!: Miami
Ron of Ron's Tattoo
2007
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
Self · (1 episode)
2007
I Love the '70s: Volume 2
Self · (10 episodes)
2006
I Love Toys
(5 episodes)
2006
The Baxter
Ed
2005
Partner(s)
Christopher
2005
Stella
(10 episodes)
2005
Alchemy
Jerry (voice)
2005
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Self · (1 episode)
2005
Celebrity Poker Showdown
Self · (1 episode)
2003
Reno 911!
Chris · (2 episodes)
2003
Wet Hot American Summer
McKinley
2001
MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers
Frisky Dingo
Chase Fontaine (voice) · (25 episodes)
2006
Tom Goes to the Mayor
Dr. Ian Black (voice) · (2 episodes)
2004
Reno 911!
Kevin the Sex Offender · (1 episode)
2003
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
(1 episode)
2003
Stella Shorts 1998-2002
Michael
2002
The Bogus Witch Project
Stephen Hawking (segment "In the Woods")
2000
Ed
Phil Stubbs · (83 episodes)
2000
Random Play
(6 episodes)
1999
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
1999
Viva Variety
Johnny Blue Jeans · (37 episodes)
1997
The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special
Various
1995
The State
Various Characters · (24 episodes)
1994