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Michael Ian Black

(1971 - )

Michael Ian Black is a Jewish American comedian, actor, writer and director.

He was born Michael Ian Schwartz on August 12, 1971, in Chicago, Illinois. Black attended Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center in New York and Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, where he began his career with The State, a sketch comedy troupe he co-founded in 1988 that became a TV series and acted on MTV from 1993 to 1995.

Black continued to work with other members of The State when he co-created the Comedy Central series Viva Variety and for the film Wet Hot American Summer. In addition to his multiple seasons role on NBC's Ed, he co-created the show Stella with Michael Showalter and David Wain and is a popular contributor on VH1's I Love the... series.

Black is also a stand-up comedian and released his first stand-up album, I Am a Wonderful Man, in 2007, and his first book of humorous essays, My Custom Van (and 50 Other Mind-Blowing Essays That Will Blow Your Mind All Over Face), in 2008.

In 2013, he and Michael Showalter launched the "Topics" podcast where the pair discusses serious topics in a funny manner. His other roles include co-host of Trust Me, I'm a Game Show Host, co-host of Duck Quacks Don't Echo, and a guest star in Steve Carell's 2014 improve sketch show Riot.

Black married Martha Hagen on October 17, 1998. They live with their two children in Redding, Connecticut.


Sources: Michael Ian Black, Wikipedia