Michael Ian Black Biography: Age, Wife, Height, Children, Siblings, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Twitter, Books

Michael Ian Schwartz, known as Michael Ian Black, is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director who became widely recognized through his influential work in alternative sketch comedy during the 1990s.

He first gained national attention as one of the original cast members and writers behind the MTV sketch series The State, where his dry humor and deadpan delivery helped shape the show’s cult popularity.

His career expanded further through projects such as Stella, Viva Variety, and Wet Hot American Summer, while his role as Phil Stubbs on the NBC comedy-drama Ed introduced him to mainstream television audiences.

Michael Ian Black
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Michael Ian Schwartz
Stage Name:	Michael Ian Black
Born:	August 12, 1971 (age 54 years old)
Place of Birth:	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Nationality:	American
Ethnicity:	Ashkenazi Jewish
Height:	5 feet 10 inches
Religion:	Deism
Parents:	Robert Schwartz and Jill Phyllis Rivkin
Siblings:	One older brother and Susan Schwartz
Spouse:	Martha Anne Hagen
Relationship:	Married
Children:	Elijah Black and Ruthie Black
Occupation:	Comedian, Actor, Writer, and Director
Net Worth:	$3 million

Early Life and Education

Michael Ian Schwartz is now at the age of 55 years old and was born on August 12, 1971, in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

He spent much of his childhood growing up in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, after his parents, Robert Schwartz and Jill Phyllis Rivkin, relocated the family from Chicago.

He was raised alongside an older brother and his younger sister, Susan Schwartz.

His early life changed significantly after his parents divorced when he was still very young.

Following the separation, he was primarily raised by his mother in a progressive household environment.

At the age of twelve, he experienced the loss of his father after complications from surgery following an assault-related injury.

He attended Hillsborough High School and later became actively involved in theater programs, including performances at the Stagedoor Manor performing arts camp.

After graduating from high school, he enrolled at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts to study theater before leaving the program early to pursue professional acting opportunities.

Personal Life

Michael Ian Black has been married to Martha Anne Hagen since October 17, 1998. The couple built their relationship during the early period of his television success and have remained together for more than two decades.

They have two children named Elijah Black and Ruthie Black. Over the years, the family has lived in New York, Connecticut, and later Savannah, Georgia.

Much of his writing and interview discussions frequently center on marriage, parenting, masculinity, and the realities of family life.

Career

Michael Ian Black began his professional entertainment career as part of the sketch comedy group that later became The State while attending New York University.

The troupe eventually landed its own MTV series, which became one of the network’s most recognizable comedy programs during the 1990s.

Following the success of The State, he co-created and starred in Viva Variety before forming the comedy trio Stella alongside Michael Showalter and David Wain.

The group later received its own Comedy Central television series and became highly influential within alternative comedy circles.

His mainstream visibility increased through his role as Phil Stubbs on the NBC series Ed and his voice work as the well-known Pets.com sock puppet mascot during the height of the dot-com era.

He later appeared in films such as Wet Hot American Summer, This Is 40, and Slash, while also reprising several of his comedy roles for Netflix continuation projects.

Outside acting, his career expanded into directing, political commentary, podcasting, and publishing.

He directed the romantic comedy Wedding Daze, contributed to the screenplay for Run Fatboy Run, and became a successful author through memoirs, satirical books, and children’s literature.

He also continued touring nationally as a stand-up comedian while appearing regularly on political and comedy panel programs.

Net Worth

Michael Ian Black has an estimated net worth of approximately $3 million. His earnings primarily come from television acting, stand-up comedy tours, directing projects, writing royalties, podcast appearances, publishing deals, and long-term work across film and entertainment media.

Social Media

• Instagram: @michaelianblack
• X: @michaelianblack

Filmography

• The State (1993)
• Viva Variety (1997)
• Ed (2000)
• Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
• Stella (2005)
• Wedding Daze (2006)
• Run Fatboy Run (2007)
• Michael & Michael Have Issues (2009)
• This Is 40 (2012)
• Burning Love (2012)
• Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (2015)
• The Jim Gaffigan Show (2015)
• Another Period (2015)
• Slash (2016)
• Sorry/Not Sorry (2023)
• Have I Got News for You (2024)

Discography

• I Am A Wonderful Man (2007)
• Very Famous (2011)
• Noted Expert (2016)

Books

• Chicken Cheeks (2009)
• My Custom Van (2009)
• The Purple Kangaroo (2010)
• You’re Not Doing It Right (2012)
• Naked (2014)
• Navel Gazing (2016)
• A Child’s First Book of Trump (2016)
• A Better Man: A Mostly Serious Letter to My Son (2020)
• Cock-a-Doodle-Doo-Bop! (2022)