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Michael Ian Black

Michael Ian Black

Actor and writer, also producer and director · Born August 12, 1971 (55) · 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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 12, 1971 (55)
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor and writer, also producer and director
Titles
46 on MovieCove · 72 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 156 days to Oct 27Down 33% in 30 days

What are Michael Ian Black's films like?

Across their 35 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 78th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary 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
Bonds
31%
Self
26%
Society
22%
Morality
9%
Ideas
6%
Survival
3%
Power
3%
Friendship10 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity11 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame7 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 22 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 20 · Serious 1 · Dark 1

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 14 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 1

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 13 · Charged 8 · Intense 1

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

Steady 16 · Shifting 1 · Whiplash 5

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

Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 14

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 8 · Relentless 2

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

Casual 18 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 20 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

9 analyzed roles

Usually the Trickster: 3 of 9 analyzed roles.

Trickster
3 of 9
Ally
2 of 9
Hero
1 of 9
Herald
1 of 9
Shadow
1 of 9
Threshold guardian
1 of 9
Show the 9 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
22
Joyful
19
Warm
14
Manic
8
Contemplative
5
Other
23

How their films linger

Fun23 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good21 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy16
  • Bittersweet8
  • Ambiguous7
  • 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 Michael Ian Black's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 31 of their 46 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Ian 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

72 credits, 46 with a MovieCove page; 34 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Michael Ian Black: First Annual Retirement Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Writer · as Self

  • Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass(2026)

    as Very Famous Star Maps Salesman

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Alaskan Murder Mystery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Writer

  • Superman(2025)

    as Cleavis Thornwaite

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Handyman from Hell(2023)

    as Philosophy Contractor

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Spinning Gold(2023)

    as Bill Aucoin

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Linoleum(2022)

    as Tony

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist(2022)

    as Hatzolah Commander

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Reno 911! Defunded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Hatzolah Captain · as Miss Mertz · as Organ Dealer · as Time Traveler

  • Peacemaker(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Cleavis Thornwaite

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • First One In(2020)

    as Philip

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Calls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • Reno 911! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 2 episodes · as Hatzolah Commander

  • Sextuplets(2019)

    as Doug

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Bless This Mess(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Cheff

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Insatiable(2018)

    Show 5 episodes · as Pastor Mike

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters(2018)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later(2017)

    Show 8 episodes · Consulting Producer · as McKinley / George H.W. Bush

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • The Good Fight(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · as Stephen Rankin-Hall

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Bill Nye Saves the World(2017)

    Show as Angry Scientist - Albert Niemann

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • Search Party(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Wally

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Michael Ian Black: Noted Expert(2016)

    Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Folk Hero & Funny Guy(2016)

    as Randy Jeppesen

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Slash(2016)

    as Denis

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp(2015)

    Show 8 episodes · as McKinley Dozen

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Smosh: The Movie(2015)

    as Steve Youtube

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • The Jim Gaffigan Show(2015)

    Show 11 episodes · as Daniel

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Another Period(2013)

    Show 32 episodes · Writer · as Peepers

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Beef(2014)

    Producer · Writer · as Lynn Vanderloo

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • They Came Together(2014)

    as Trevor

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Deadbeat(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as TJ

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Us & Them (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 7 episodes · as Brian

  • Hell Baby(2013)

    as Dr. Marshall

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • This Is 40(2012)

    as Accountant

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • You're Whole(2012)

    Show 9 episodes · Creator · Producer · Writer · as Randall Tyree Mandersohn

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Burning Love(2012)

    Show 42 episodes · as Bill Tundle

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Impractical Jokers(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Michael Ian Black: Very Famous(2011)

    Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Take Me Home Tonight(2011)

    as Pete Bering

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

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

    Show 13 episodes · as Fleming

  • New York Stand-Up Show(2010)

    Show Writer

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Stella: Live in Boston (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Michael

  • Michael & Michael Have Issues(2009)

    Show 7 episodes · Director · Creator · Producer · Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Birthday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Michael

  • The Xtacles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as Chase Fontaine

  • Reality Bites Back (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 8 episodes · as Host

  • Reaper(2007)

    Show 6 episodes · as Steve

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Run Fatboy Run(2007)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Ten(2007)

    as Prison Guard Jamberg Saivon

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Reno 911!: Miami(2007)

    as Ron of Ron's Tattoo

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Frisky Dingo(2006)

    Show 25 episodes · as Chase Fontaine (voice)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Wedding Daze(2006)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • I Love Toys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 5 episodes · Actor

  • The Baxter(2005)

    as Ed

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Partner(s) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Christopher

  • Stella (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 10 episodes · Creator · Producer · Writer · Actor

  • Alchemy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Jerry (voice)

  • Tom Goes to the Mayor(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Ian Black (voice)

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Reno 911! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Chris · as Kevin the Sex Offender

  • Stella Shorts 1998-2002 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Writer · as Michael

  • Wet Hot American Summer(2001)

    as McKinley

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Bogus Witch Project(2000)

    as Stephen Hawking (segment "In the Woods")

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Ed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 83 episodes · as Phil Stubbs

  • Random Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Big Helium Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Martin Huber

  • Viva Variety (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 37 episodes · Creator · as Johnny Blue Jeans

  • The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Various

  • The State(1993)

    Show 24 episodes · Writer · as Various Characters

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • I'm Your Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Screenplay

  • Cults: Saying No Under Pressure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Male Student (as Michael Schwartz)

  • Bad Day For Bigfoot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 70 titles, 68 of them dated from 1991 to 2026; peak year 2015.

Biggest box office

Run Fatboy Run (2007)

$33M worldwide

Highest rated

The State (1993)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

Another Period (2013)

Film career

19912026

Peak 2015 · at the high point of their film career. 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
Acting62 of 70: 55 only acting, 7 with another role · typical Midcredits score46thDirecting2 of 70: 0 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting11 of 70: 6 only writing, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score60thProducing4 of 70: 0 only producing, 4 with another roleOther crew4 of 70: 0 only other crew, 4 with another role

70 titles, 9 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

1990s7 · 6 acting · 2 crew2000s22 · 19 acting · 5 crew2010s26 · 24 acting · 6 crew2020s13 · 11 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 14 roles
0116

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.

How do Michael Ian Black's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 38th percentile, the median of all 25; across their 22 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 42nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Approval · how many liked their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Reach · how many have seen their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Midcredits score across 46 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th17
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 46 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive3
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

Smosh: The Movie (2015)

92nd percentile spread · 60% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, writer

The State (1993)

Midcredits 91st · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 58/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 34. 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 Michael Ian Black's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles31–69 · median 56 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles36–67 · median 55 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles50–82 · median 68 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 43 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 33 · mildMedian 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 Michael Ian Black work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Ian Black's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Michael Showalter shares the most, 9.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers