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Lewis Black

Lewis Black

Actor, writer and producer · Born August 30, 1948 (78) · Silver Spring, Maryland, USA

Primetime Emmy nominee · 1 other major award body

Lewis Niles Black (born August 30, 1948) is an American stand-up comedian, author, playwright, social critic and actor. He is known for his comedy style, which often includes simulating a mental breakdown, or an increasingly angry rant, ridiculing history, politics, religion, trends and cultural phenomena. He hosted the Comedy Central series Lewis Black's Root of All Evil, and makes regular appearances on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart delivering his “Back in Black” commentary segment. When not on the road performing, he resides in Manhattan. He also maintains a residence in Chapel Hill, N.C. He is currently the spokesman for Aruba Tourism, appearing in television ads that aired in late 2009 and 2010. He was voted 51st of the 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all time by Comedy Central in 2004. Description above from the Wikipedia article Lewis Black, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 30, 1948 (78)
From
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
Works as
Actor, writer and producer
Titles
45 on MovieCove · 66 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 48% in 30 days

What are Lewis Black's films like?

Across their 28 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Society.

Genres

Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Animation5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Animation movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 20th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
30%
Society
21%
Bonds
15%
Ideas
14%
Power
11%
Survival
5%
Morality
4%
Identity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth7 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 25 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 21 · Serious 3 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 13 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 11 · Charged 9 · Intense 5

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 15 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 2

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 16

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 4

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 16 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 21 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Threshold guardian: 2 of 8 analyzed roles.

Threshold guardian
2 of 8
Mentor
2 of 8
Shadow
2 of 8
Ally
1 of 8
Herald
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
13
Absurd
12
Hopeful
8
Contemplative
8
Warm
6
Other
24

How their films linger

Fun14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet5
  • Ambiguous8
  • Cyclical4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Lewis Black's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 32 of their 45 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Lewis Black's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

66 credits, 45 with a MovieCove page; 44 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Ophira Eisenberg: I Used To Be Nicer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Producer

  • Dream Productions(2024)

    Show 4 episodes · as Anger (voice)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • SpongeBob and Sandy’s Country Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Santa Claus (voice)

  • Atrabilious (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Roy Altman

  • Inside Out 2(2024)

    as Anger (voice)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Lewis Black: Tragically, I Need You(2023)

    Producer · Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Downwind(2023)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Santa Claus (voice)

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all shows

  • Lewis Black: Thanks for Risking Your Life(2020)

    Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Last Laugh(2019)

    as Max Becker

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Ragely J. Snarlingtooth (voice)

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • Imitation Girl(2017)

    Producer · as Lew

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Better Off Single(2016)

    as Charlie's Therapist

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Lewis Black: Black to the Future(2016)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Crisis in Six Scenes(2016)

    Show 6 episodes · as Al

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • Rock Dog(2016)

    as Linnux (voice)

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Madoff(2016)

    Show 4 episodes · as Gregory Perkins

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Inside Out: Mind Candy(2015)

    as Anger (voice)

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Riley's First Date?(2015)

    as Anger (voice)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Mayor Stoughton (voice)

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Introducing Parker Dowd (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Drew

  • Inside Out(2015)

    as Anger (voice)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Lewis Black: Old Yeller - Live at the Borgata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Writer · as Self

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Vic / Spider Bytez (voice)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Lewis Black: In God We Rust(2012)

    Producer · Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Caris' Peace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Producer · as Self

  • Afghan Luke(2011)

    as Lewis Black

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Brainwave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Robotomy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 10 episodes · as Gore-Ax · as The Gore-Ax/The Scrap Metal Spirit of Insanus

  • Peep World(2010)

    as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated(2010)

    Show 22 episodes · as Mr. E (voice) · as Mr. E / Ricky Owens (voice)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Basic Black: The Lewis Black Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • Surviving the Holidays with Lewis Black(2009)

    Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Lewis Black: Stark Raving Black (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Self

  • The Penguins of Madagascar(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Dale (voice)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Root of All Evil(2008)

    Show 18 episodes · Producer · as Self - Host

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • History of the Joke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Host

  • The Big Bang Theory(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Professor Crawley

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Unaccompanied Minors(2006)

    as Oliver Porter

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Farce of the Penguins(2006)

    as Jimmy (voice)

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Man of the Year(2006)

    as Eddie Langston

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Accepted(2006)

    as Uncle Ben

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Lewis Black: Red, White and Screwed(2006)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Falling for Grace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Rob York

  • The Happy Elf(2005)

    as Norbert (voice)

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Lewis Black: Black on Broadway(2004)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Lewis Black Unleashed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Producer · Writer · as Self

  • Duck Dodgers(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Manobrain (voice)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Gynecologists (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Cookie LaMotte

  • American Dummy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Club Owner

  • Lewis Black: Taxed Beyond Belief (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Professor Black

  • Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law(2000)

    Show 4 episodes · as The Deadly Duplicator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • The Brak Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Movie Zorak (voice) · as The Slug (voice)

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as B.J. Cameron

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • SpongeBob SquarePants(1999)

    Show 3 episodes · as Santa Claus (voice)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The Deal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Author · Screenplay

  • Joey Breaker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Pete Grimm

  • The Night We Never Met(1993)

    as Marty Holder

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Homicide: Life on the Street(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Laszlo 'Punchy' DeLeon

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Mad About You(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Pizza Slice

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • The Hard Way(1991)

    as Banker

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Jacob's Ladder(1990)

    as Jacob's Doctor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Director Franklin Frome

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 5 episodes · as Bernie

  • Hannah and Her Sisters(1986)

    as Paul

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Friend Thing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 65 titles, 64 of them dated from 1986 to 2026; peak year 2005.

Biggest box office

Inside Out 2 (2024)

$1.7B worldwide

Highest rated

Inside Out (2015)

Midcredits 98th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19862026

Peak 2005 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting52 of 65: 51 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score56thWriting11 of 65: 5 only writing, 6 with another role · typical Midcredits score76thProducing9 of 65: 3 only producing, 6 with another role

65 titles, 6 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 1 of them.

By decade

1980s2 · acting1990s10 · 9 acting · 1 crew2000s20 · 15 acting · 6 crew2010s23 · 19 acting · 4 crew2020s9 · 6 acting · 3 crew

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 6% of 17 roles
8611

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

2 major awards from 7 major nominations, 2006–2022.

WinNomination
  1. 2022
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Comedy Album
  2. 2013
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Comedy Album
  3. 2011
    • Grammy Award, won · Best Comedy Album
  4. 2009
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Comedy Album
  5. 2007
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special
    • +1 other major body · 1 win
      • Grammy Award, won · Best Comedy Album
  6. 2006
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Comedy Album

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Lewis Black's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 54th percentile, the median of all 27; across their 25 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 62nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Approval · how many liked their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Reach · how many have seen their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Midcredits score across 45 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up19
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 45 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed16

Most divisive · actor

The Happy Elf (2005)

86th percentile spread · 39% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Inside Out (2015)

Midcredits 98th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 37. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Lewis Black's work okay for kids?

Across up to 9 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and alcohol & drugs run lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles11–44 · median 30 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity9 titles14–36 · median 26 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles8–73 · median 29 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs6 titles2–55 · median 15 · minimallighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense7 titles9–55 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Lewis Black work with?

People who share at least 2 of Lewis Black's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; JoAnne Astrow shares the most, 6.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles