Lewis Black

Lewis Black Headshot

Actor

Birth Date: August 30, 1948

Age: 76 years old

Birth Place: Silver Spring, Maryland

Lewis Black made a living as both a stand-up comic and as a weekly commentator on the popular mock news program, "The Daily Show" (Comedy Central, 1996- ). Black turned the role of the angry curmudgeon railing against the injustices of our times into a cottage industry, becoming a favorite among an increasingly skeptical and cynical audience that has ranged in age from teenagers to the elderly.

Prior to "The Daily Show," Black toiled in stand-up comedy, performing at clubs and venues across the United States, while trying desperately to become a successful playwright. But it was his grumbling grouse character developed over the years in front of a microphone, that finally launched Black into celebrity, a slow process that brought the comedian eventual triumph at twice the age of other comedians around him. Although Black left "The Daily Show" in early 2016, he continued his stand-up and writing careers, as well as taking on high profile voice gigs such as playing the emotion Anger in Pixar's "Inside Out" (2015).

Born Aug. 30, 1948 Black was raised in Silver Spring, MD. His father, Sam, worked for the Defense Department as a mechanical engineer building sea mines for the government during World War II and the Vietnam War. He quit ten years earlier than he had planned after reading the Geneva Accord and, deciding there was no justification for the United States occupation of Vietnam, promptly becoming a painter. His mother, Jeannette, taught high school math and became a substitute teacher at Black's school. Famous for her sarcasm, the comedian always credited getting his sense of humor from her.

After high school, Black was an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he nervously began doing short stand-up bits to open shows for his friends' rock band. He later attended Yale University's prestigious drama school and studied to become a playwright, earning a Master of Fine Arts in 1977. He then moved to New York City to pursue writing, but found that trying to make a living as a playwright probably was not the greatest idea. Black did land a steady gig as the playwright-in-residence at the West Bank Café on 42nd Street from 1981-89, where he and two alumni friends from Yale oversaw the production of over 1,500 plays - some of which were his own.

While Black maintained a steady presence at the West Bank Café, he began delving deeper into stand-up comedy, honing his microphone skills as the opening act before the plays. Then two fortuitous - though at the time, disastrous - events occurred in the late 1980s that helped propel Black into comedy full time. First, West Bank owner Steve Olsen lost his hold on the restaurant after a fight with his business partners, prompting them to kick him and Black out. Second, Black and fellow collaborator Rusty Magee went to Houston to stage "The Czar of Rock & Roll" - a musical about an Elvis Presley-like character in the Soviet Union - at the Alley Theatre. But the play bombed and Black quickly found himself out of work. To salve his wounds, he took to the comedy stage in Houston and killed the crowd, going full-bore into stand-up without looking back. He also began appearing sporadically in films and on television, starting with a small role in Woody Allen's fine relationship drama "Hannah and Her Sisters" (1986).

Black continued appearing on screen, playing small parts in "Jacob's Ladder" (1990) and "The Hard Way" (1991), before landing a role as a porn director in an episode of "Law & Order" (NBC, 1990-2010). He soon developed a strong presence on the road, playing some 250-odd dates a year - a lifestyle he grew accustomed to, despite the difficulty in trying to maintain a romantic relationship.

In 1996, Black joined "The Daily Show" - then hosted by Craig Kilborn - doing a weekly editorial segment called "Back in Black." After Stewart took over in 1999, Black's prominence on the show increased, particularly after his participation in Indecision 2000 - their satirical coverage of the bungled 2000 presidential election. His popularity continued to rise alongside the show's, reaching an apex with their hysterical coverage of the next presidential election, Indecision 2004. Meanwhile, his "Back in Black" segments skewered everything under the sun, from the immigration debate and violent video games, to the Greek Olympic Games and the FCC's handling of Janet Jackson's bare breast - nothing escaped his sharp, punctuating satire.

With his profile raised from "The Daily Show, Black made his official arrival as a heavyweight comedian with his first HBO special, "Lewis Black: Black on Broadway" (2004), which showed him taking typically poignant potshots at political parties, corporate scandals and the miseries of flying coach.

Though he maintained regular appearances on "The Daily Show" until 2016, Black continued his grueling stand-up schedule, but found himself playing to larger audiences around the country - he went from small clubs to 2000-person theaters virtually overnight. Thanks to his widespread appeal, he began spreading his wings a bit more, showing up in a 2004 episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC, 1999- ), then releasing his first book, Nothing's Sacred, in 2005, a crude but surprisingly heartfelt memoir detailing the budding nonconformist's rise from frustrated playwright to successful comedian.

Returning to features, he had a walk-on part in the teen comedy "Accepted" (2006), before appearing in a meatier - albeit more subdued - co-starring role in "Man of the Year" (2006), playing the political operative of Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams), a famous talk show host who runs a mock presidential campaign only to shock himself - and the nation - when he gets elected. Meanwhile, Black starred in his second HBO comedy special, "Red, White and Screwed" (2006), which featured his jabbing commentary on the Iraq War, gay marriage and Vice President Dick Cheney shooting his hunting buddy in the face.

After starring in the series "Lewis Black's Root of All Evil" (Comedy Central 2008) for two seasons, Black subtly began to change his comedic persona, de-emphasizing political invective in favor of a more general curmudgeonly act. Black began working frequently in animation, guest starring on various television series most often as villains; his animation profile shot up considerably when he co-starred alongside Amy Poehler and Bill Hader in Pixar's "Inside Out" (2015), playing the emotion Anger inside the mind of a pre-teen girl. After appearing in a supporting role in the miniseries "Madoff" (ABC 2015), it was announced that Black would appear in Woody Allen's first TV series, "Crisis in Six Scenes" (Amazon 2016).

Credits

Dream ProductionsStream

Voice
Anger
Series
2024

The Daily Show Presents: Jordan Klepper Fingers The Pulse: Rally Together

Correspondent
Show
2024

The Daily Show Presents: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Moscow Tools

Correspondent
Show
2024

Inside Out 2Stream

Voice
Anger
Movie
2024
91%

Lewis Black: Tragically, I Need You

Executive Producer
Show
2023

Lewis Black: Tragically, I Need You

Self
Show
2023

Lewis Black: Tragically, I Need You

Writer
Show
2023

The Daily ShowStream

Correspondent
Series
2023

Downwind

Self
Movie
2023

Access Daily With Mario & Kit

Guest
Show
2022

The Kids in the Hall: Comedy PunksStream

Self
Movie
2022
100%

SuperstarStream

Self
Series
2021

Lewis Black: Thanks for Risking Your Life

Actor
Show
2020

The Story of Late NightStream

Self
Docuseries
2020

The Book of Dog

Actor
Show
2020

Gander

Actor
Show
2020

Today 3rd Hour

Guest
Show
2018

The Epic Tales of Captain UnderpantsStream

Voice
Ragely J. Snarlingtooth
Series
2018

Robin Williams: Come Inside My MindStream

Actor
Movie
2018
94%

Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 3

Voice
Anger
Movie
2018

Daily Blast Live

Guest
Show
2017

The A.V. Club

Guest
Show
2017

The History of ComedyStream

Self
Docuseries
2017

Gilbert

Self
Movie
2017

Imitation Girl

Executive Producer
Movie
2017

Madoff : l'arnaque du siècle

Actor
Gregory Perkins
Show
2016

Desus & MeroStream

Guest
Talk
2016

Lewis Black: Black to the Future

Actor
Show
2016

Lewis Black: Black to the Future

Executive Producer
Show
2016

Lewis Black: Black to the Future

Screenwriter
Show
2016

MadoffStream

Actor
Miniseries
2016
68%

Madoff

Actor
Show
2016

Stereotypically You

Actor
Charlie's Therapist
Movie
2016

Madoff - A Fraude do Século

Actor
Movie
2016

Rock Dog

Voice
Linnux
Movie
2016

The Daily Show with Trevor NoahStream

Correspondent
Talk
2015

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

Guest
Talk
2015

The Nightly Show With Larry WilmoreStream

Guest
Talk
2015
100%

Inside OutStream

Voice
Anger
Movie
2015
98%

Riley's First Date?

Voice
Anger
Movie
2015

q

Guest
Show
2014

The Rich Eisen Show

Guest
Show
2014

Late Night With Seth MeyersStream

Actor
Talk
2014

Late Night With Seth MeyersStream

Guest
Talk
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Guest
Talk
2014

Lewis Black: Old Yeller - Live at the Borgata

Actor
Show
2013

Lewis Black: Old Yeller - Live at the Borgata

Executive Producer
Show
2013

Lewis Black: Old Yeller - Live at the Borgata

Screenwriter
Show
2013

What's So Funny About Religion?

Guest
Show
2013

Gahan Wilson: Born Dead, Still Weird

Actor
Movie
2013

Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor

Actor
Movie
2013

Comedians in Cars Getting CoffeeStream

Guest
Talk
2012

Finding Your RootsStream

Guest
Reality
2012

Lewis Black: In God We Rust

Actor
Show
2012

CBS This Morning

Guest
Show
2012

The Muslims Are Coming!

Actor
Movie
2012

The Chew

Guest
Talk
2011

Q With Jian Ghomeshi

Guest
Show
2011

Ron White's Comedy Salute to the Troops 2011

Actor
Show
2011

Afghan Luke

Self
Movie
2011

Caris' Peace

Producer
Movie
2011

Lafflink Presents: The Platinum Comedy Series

Actor
Show
2010

Lewis Black: Basic Black

Actor
Show
2010

Scooby-Doo: Mystery IncorporatedStream

Guest Voice
Mr. E
Series
2010

Lewis Black: Stark Raving Black

Actor
Show
2009

Surviving the Holidays With Lewis Black

Host
Show
2009

The Joy Behar Show

Guest
Show
2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Talk
2009

Stark Raving Black

Executive Producer
Movie
2009

Larry the Cable Guy's Star Studded Christmas Extravaganza

Guest
Show
2008

Comedy Central Roast of Bob SagetStream

Actor
Special
2008

Lewis Black's Root of All Evil

Executive Producer
Show
2008

Lewis Black's Root of All Evil

Host
Show
2008

The Big Bang TheoryStream

Guest Star
Professor Crawley
Series
2007
81%

Farce of the Penguins

Voice
Jimmy
Movie
2007

Lewis Black: Red, White & Screwed

Actor
Show
2006

AcceptedStream

Actor
Uncle Ben
Movie
2006
38%

Unaccompanied MinorsStream

Actor
Oliver
Movie
2006
30%

Man of the YearStream

Actor
Eddie Langston
Movie
2006
21%

Falling for Grace

Actor
Rob York
Movie
2006

The Happy Elf

Voice
Norbert
Show
2005

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Guest
Talk
2005

The AristocratsStream

Self
Movie
2005
79%

Lewis Black: Black on Broadway

Self
Show
2004

The World Comedy Tour

Host
Show
2003

Lewis Black: Unleashed

Actor
Show
2003

Comedy Central RoastStream

Actor
Series
2003

Real Time With Bill MaherStream

Guest Star
Talk
2003

Law & Order: Special Victims UnitStream

Guest Star
BJ Cameron
Series
1999
78%

SpongeBob SquarePantsStream

Guest Voice
Santa Claus
Series
1999

The Daily Show With Jon StewartStream

Guest
Talk
1999

Comedy Central PresentsStream

Actor
Series
1998

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

Theater Talk

Guest
Show
1996

Just for Laughs

Actor
Show
1996

Just for Laughs

Host
Show
1996

Late Night With Conan O'Brien

Guest
Talk
1993

Late Show With David Letterman

Guest
Talk
1993

Mad About YouStream

Guest Star
Pizza Slice
Series
1992

Law & OrderStream

Guest Star
Series
1990

Jeopardy!Stream

Guest Star
Game Show
1984

News aboutLewis Black