Michael Ian Black life and biography

Michael Ian Black is an American comedian, actor, writer and director. He has starred in several TV comedy series, including The State, Ed, Viva Variety, Stella and Michael & Michael Have Issues. He is also a prominent poker player, appearing on Celebrity Poker Showdown several times.

Black was born Michael Ian Schwartz in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Jill, a store owner, and Robert Schwartz, an executive. He grew up in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, where he attended Hillsborough High School. His parents divorced when he was three years old. When he was twelve, his father died during neurological surgery following a mysterious assault. His birth name, Schwartz, is derived from the German word "schwarz," which has the same meaning as his stage name, Black. Schwartz changed his name to Michael Ian Black because there was already a popular actor named Michael Schwartz.

Black attended Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center in New York and Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, but later dropped out.

Black returns to Comedy Central with his new half hour comedy series, "Michael and Michael Have Issues." He and former State colleague Michael Showalter created and will star, write, direct and produce this comic look at the intertwining lives of two contentious best friends.

Along with Showalter and David Wain, Black created, starred in and co-wrote the Comedy Central series, "Stella." Black is one of the lead commentators on VH1's "I Love the..." series and his writings on contemporary culture have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Wired, Filter, CMJ Magazine and McSweeney's online.

Black starred opposite Paul Rudd and Janeane Garofalo in the USA Films cult hit, "Wet Hot American Summer." He appeared in "RENO 911!: Miami," "The Ten," "Partners" and "The Baxter." Black will next be seen opposite Topher Grace and Anna Faris in "Young Americans." For four years, he starred in NBC's hit drama, "Ed," playing bowling alley manager Phil Stubbs.

Black's career began after he graduated from NYU and co-created, co-wrote and starred in the acclaimed MTV sketch comedy show, "The State." From there, he co-created, co-wrote and starred in the Comedy Central series "Viva Variety." He was also the voice and forearm of the popular Pets.com sock puppet.

Black gives comedy lectures around the country under the title, "The Awesome Life with Michael Ian Black." He also performs stand-up comedy in clubs all over the U.S. Black lives in Connecticut with his wife Martha and their two children.

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