Michael Ian Black, born Michael Ian Schwartz on August 12, 1971, is a notable American comedian, actor, writer, and director. He is recognized for his roles in a variety of television comedy series, including The State, Ed, Viva Variety, Stella, Another Period, and Michael & Michael Have Issues. In addition to his television work, Black is an avid poker player, having made multiple appearances on Celebrity Poker Showdown. He also authored a popular children's book titled Chicken Cheeks, released in 2009.
Black was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Jill and Robert Schwartz, a store owner and an executive, respectively. He hails from a Jewish background and spent his formative years in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, where he attended Hillsborough High School. His parents' divorce occurred when he was just three, and his mother later publicly identified as a lesbian. Tragically, Black's father passed away at the young age of 39, following a head injury sustained in an assault and complications from surgery.
The surname Schwartz, meaning “black” in German, led him to adopt the stage name Michael Ian Black to distinguish himself from another actor named Mike Schwartz. Although Black briefly pursued higher education at New York University, he left to take on the role of Raphael in the promotional campaign for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles concert tour.
