Michael Ian Black
Photoplayd Industry Rating
Not enough rated films yet to compute a weighted score.
Roles are weighted by involvement: director 1.0, screenwriter 0.7, lead 0.8, supporting 0.4, crew 0.1.
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.
Known for
Credits
Superman (2025)
as Cleavis Thornwaite
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass (2026)
as Very Famous Star Maps Salesman
This Is 40 (2012)
as Accountant
Sextuplets (2019)
as Doug
Take Me Home Tonight (2011)
as Pete Bering
Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
as McKinley
Wanderlust (2012)
as Himself
Reno 911!: Miami (2007)
as Ron of Ron's Tattoo
They Came Together (2014)
as Trevor
Spinning Gold (2023)
as Bill Aucoin
Smosh: The Movie (2015)
as Steve Youtube
Bad Day For Bigfoot (—)
Actor
Deepfaking Sam Altman (2026)
as Self
Misery Loves Comedy (2015)
as Self
The Ten (2007)
as Prison Guard Jamberg Saivon
Stella Shorts 1998-2002 (2002)
as Michael
Big Helium Dog (1999)
as Martin Huber
Hell Baby (2013)
as Dr. Marshall
Long Live the State (2025)
as Self
Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)
as Self
Birthday (2008)
as Michael
Stella: Live in Boston (2009)
as Michael
I Want My MTV (2019)
as Self
The Bogus Witch Project (2000)
as Stephen Hawking (segment "In the Woods")
The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special (1995)
as Various
Folk Hero & Funny Guy (2016)
as Randy Jeppesen
Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist (2022)
as Hatzolah Commander
Linoleum (2023)
as Tony
The Baxter (2005)
as Ed
Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot (2015)
as Self
Alchemy (2005)
as Jerry (voice)
Partner(s) (2005)
as Christopher
MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers (—)
Actor
Handyman from Hell (2023)
as Philosophy Contractor
Cults: Saying No Under Pressure (1991)
as Male Student (as Michael Schwartz)
Beef (2014)
as Lynn Vanderloo
Slash (2016)
as Denis
Michael Ian Black: Very Famous (2011)
as Self
First One In (2020)
as Philip
Sorry/Not Sorry (2024)
as Self
Michael Ian Black: Noted Expert (2016)
as Self
Calls (2020)
Actor
Nantucket Film Festival's 2nd Comedy Roundtable (2013)
as Self