Jack Black

Jack Black
Black in November 2006
Background information
Birth name	Thomas Jacob Black
Also known as	Jables, JB
Born	(1969-08-28) August 28, 1969 Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Genres	Heavy metal, comedy rock, hard rock, acoustic rock
Occupations	Musician, songwriter, actor, comedian
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, percussion, keyboard
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Epic, Sony BMG
Associated acts	Tenacious D, Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal, Probot, Foo Fighters, Meat Loaf
Website	www.tenaciousd.com

Thomas Jacob "Jack" Black (born August 28, 1969) is an American comedian, actor and musician. He makes up one half of the comedy and satirical rock duo Tenacious D. The group has two albums and full-length films. His acting career is extensive, starring primarily as bumbling, cocky, but internally self-conscious outsiders in comedy films. He was a member of the Frat Pack, a group of comedians who have appeared together in several Hollywood films, and has been nominated for a Golden Globe award. He has also won an MTV Movie Award, and a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award.

Early life

Black was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of two satellite engineers, Judith ( née Cohen), who worked on the Hubble Space Telescope, and Thomas William Black. Black's mother is Jewish and his father converted to Judaism. On The Tonight Show, he said his surname may have come from the occupational name Blacksmith. Black's parents divorced when he was 10; Black moved to Culver City with his father and frequently visited his mother’s home. As a child, Black appeared in a commercial for the Activision game Pitfall! in 1982, which was later shown during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and again on The Tonight Show with Conan O' Brien. When Black entered high school, his parents suggested that he should transfer to the Poseidon School, a private secondary school engineered specifically for students struggling in the traditional school system. Black eagerly accepted the proposition, as he didn't like public school. He also attended the Crossroads School, where he excelled in drama. Black later attended UCLA but dropped out during his sophomore year to pursue a career in the entertainment business, at which point his father discontinued his financial support. Fellow UCLA veteran Tim Robbins later cast Black in Bob Roberts. He also had recurring roles on the HBO sketch comedy series Mr. Show.

Acting career

Black's Acting Career began with prime time TV. He played roles on several shows such as: The Golden Palace (Taxi Driver), Life Goes On (skinhead), Northern Exposure (Kevin Wilkins, prom king), HBO's Mr. Show, and Picket Fences (Curtis Williams). In a season 3 episode of The X-Files, titled "D.P.O.", Black played Bart 'Zero' Liquori, friend to Darren, a teen who could cause lightning strikes, played by Giovanni Ribisi. Black appeared in an un-aired pilot episode for a show directed by Ben Stiller called Heat Vision and Jack where he played an ex-astronaut pursued by actor Ron Silver. He was accompanied by his friend who had merged with a motorcycle, voiced by Owen Wilson.

Black later took on small roles in Airborne, Demolition Man, Waterworld, The Fan, The NeverEnding Story III, The Cable Guy, Bob Roberts, Mars Attacks!, The Jackal, Bye Bye Love, Jesus' Son, Dead Man Walking, Enemy of the State, and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. In 2000, Black appeared in High Fidelity as a wild employee in John Cusack's record store, a role which Black himself considers his breakout.

His career soon led to leading roles in films such as Shallow Hal, Orange County, Saving Silverman, School of Rock, Envy, King Kong, Nacho Libre, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny, Be Kind Rewind, Kung Fu Panda, Tropic Thunder, The Holiday, Year One and Gulliver's Travels.

He guest-starred on The Office along with Cloris Leachman and Jessica Alba in a movie within the show. He also guest-starred in iCarly, in the episode iStart a Fan War.

Jack Black has appeared numerous times on the "untelevised TV network" short film festival Channel101, starring in the shows Computerman, Timebelt, and Laserfart. He also provided an introduction for the un-aired sketch comedy, Awesometown, donning a Colonial-era military uniform. In the introduction, he claims to be George Washington (and takes credit for the accomplishments of other American Presidents such as Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln), and gives viewers a general idea as to what they should expect from the show. Black has also guest starred in the Adult Swim show Tom Goes to the Mayor as a bear trap store owner.

Black hosted the 2006 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards on April 1, 2006 and hosted it again on March 29, 2008. He also appeared on the MTV video music awards on August 31, 2006. He is a member of the Frat Pack, a group of comedy actors who frequently work together, which also includes Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, and Steve Carell. Jack Black has made five appearances on Saturday Night Live: three times as a host, once as a musical guest (with Kyle Gass as Tenacious D), and another appearance with Tenacious D, not as a host or musical guest. He produced and appeared on VH1's internet video show Acceptable.TV.

Black has voice acted for The Simpsons episode " Husbands and Knives", which aired 18 November 2007, voicing the friendly owner of the rival comic book store, Milo. Black appeared in a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire celebrity edition along with Denis Leary, Jimmy Kimmel and others and walked away with US$125,000 in October 2001. On December 14, Jack Black hosted the 2008 Spike Video Game Awards. He voiced the main character, roadie Eddie Riggs, in the rock-themed action-adventure video game, Brütal Legend. At the 2009 Spike Video Game Awards, he was awarded Best Voice for the voice of Eddie Riggs in Brütal Legend. In April 2009, Black also appeared in an episode of the children's show "Yo Gabba Gabba!" on Nick Jr. singing songs such as "It's Not Fun to Get Lost", "Friends" and "Goodbye Song".

Music career

Black, also known as JB or Jables, is the lead singer for the rock comedy band Tenacious D. Along with Kyle Gass, they have released two albums, a self-titled debut, and the follow up, The Pick of Destiny, from which one of their songs "The Metal" was used in the music video games " Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" and " Brutal Legend". "Rock Your Socks" from the album "Tenacious D" was played in the music videogame " Rock Band Unplugged", and "Master Exploder" from "The Pick Of Destiny" went on to be used in music video games " Guitar Hero Van Halen" and " Rock Band 2", along with their song "Tribute" from "Tenacious D". "Master Exploder" and "The Metal" featured in the film Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. The film, directed by Tenacious D veteran Liam Lynch, features recurring characters such as Lee the superfan and Sasquatch. Tim Robbins cameos as does Dave Grohl as Satan. Ben Stiller also makes an appearance as a worker at Guitar Centre, and also another appearance in the music video for " Tribute".

Tenacious D helped the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation to raise awareness and funds in San Diego on June 16, 2007. Tenacious D can be seen performing in the Pauly Shore film Bio-Dome where the duo are performing their song "The Five Needs" at a "Save the Environment" party. Black was also a guest star on an episode of The Ellen Degeneres Show entitled "Ellen the Musical", alongside Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth and teenage singer-actress Olivia Olson. On the show, besides singing, he discussed his then-upcoming film Nacho Libre with the host.

Black has also appeared on Dave Grohl's Probot album, providing vocals for the hidden song "I Am The Warlock", and Lynch's Fake Songs album, providing vocals for the song "Rock and Roll Whore". Black performed a cover of Marvin Gaye's " Let's Get It On" in the last sequence of High Fidelity. He lent his musical abilities to the Queens of the Stone Age song "Burn the Witch" with rhythmic stomps and claps, some performed with his eyes closed. He also provided vocals for The Lonely Island's track "Sax Man" from the album Incredibad.

Black has also recorded a duet on Meat Loaf's new CD Hang Cool Teddy Bear. The song is called Like a Rose. Meat Loaf has also played Black's father in the Pick of Destiny movie. Hang Cool Teddy Bear also features Hugh Laurie, Kara Dioguardi, Brian May, Steve Vai & Patti Russo, produced by Rob Cavallo.

Black has appeared in music videos of Beck " Sexx Laws"; Foo Fighters " Learn To Fly", " Low", and " The One"; The Eagles of Death Metal's " I Want You So Hard (Boy's Bad News)"; Sum 41's " Things I Want"; Dio's " Push"; and Weezer's " Photograph."

In October 2010, Tenacious D appeared at Blizzcon, a convention hosted by the game designers, Blizzard Entertainment.

Comedic style

Black's comedic style combines many key elements from both sides of the traditional double act. Black typically begins a skit in which he presents an earnest introduction to a premise or subject that quickly reveals itself to be flawed or fundamentally ludicrous. Black then switches completely to a far-extreme caricature of human emotion.

His would-be straight-man Gass often functions to trigger these outbursts. Tenacious D’s subject matter illustrates this technique. In " Tribute," Tenacious D tells a story in which they claim to have performed "The Greatest Song in the World" for a "Shiny Demon" who would otherwise "EAT THEIR SOULS." In " Inward Singing," Black does not merely discover a new vocal technique, he discovers what he refers to as "the most powerful tool in singing technology since yodeling." Black's skits also use the catchphrase "more cushion for the pushin'," a self-mocking reference to his own girth.

Personal life

In January 2006, Black became engaged to Tanya Haden. She is the daughter of the jazz double bassist Charlie Haden, and sister of violinist and singer Petra Haden. Haden herself is an accomplished cellist. Both attended Crossroads school and met again 15 years after graduating, at a friend's birthday party. Black proposed marriage around Christmas 2005. They married on March 14, 2006, in Big Sur, California. Their son, Samuel Jason "Sammy" Black, was born on June 10, 2006, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles. On May 23, 2008, Black and his wife had their second son, Thomas David Black.

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1992	Bob Roberts	Roger Davis
1993	Airborne	Augie
1993	Demolition Man	Wasteland Scrap
1994	The NeverEnding Story III	Slip, Leader of the Nasties
1995	Bye Bye Love	DJ at Party
1995	Dead Man Walking	Craig Poncelet
1995	Waterworld	Pilot
1996	Bio-Dome	Tenacious D
1996	The Cable Guy	Rick
1996	The Fan	Broadcast Technician
1996	Mars Attacks!	Billy Glenn Norris
1997	Bongwater	Devlin
1997	Crossworlds	Steve
1997	The Jackal	Ian Lamont
1998	Enemy of the State	Fiedler
1998	I Still Know What You Did Last Summer	Titus Telesco
1998	Johnny Skidmarks	Jerry
1999	Cradle Will Rock	Sid
1999	Jesus' Son	Georgie
1999	The Love Letter	Fisherman	uncredited
2000	High Fidelity	Barry	Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actor - Comedy/Romance Nominated — American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated — Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best Music Moment Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Male Performance Nominated — Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor
2001	Frank's Book	Performance Hipster	Short Film
2001	Saving Silverman	J.D. McNugent
2001	Shallow Hal	Hal Larson	Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Film- Choice Actor, Comedy
2002	Ice Age	Zeke	Voice only
2002	Orange County	Lance Brumder
2002	Run Ronnie Run	Lead Chimney Sweep	DVD Exclusive Award for Best Original Song in a DVD Premiere
2003	Melvin Goes to Dinner	Mental Patient	uncredited Phoenix Film Festival Award for Best Ensemble Acting Nominated — DVD Exclusive Award for Best Supporting Actor in a DVD Premiere
2003	School of Rock	Dewey Finn	MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Team Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor- Comedy Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Liar
2004	Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy	Motorcyclist	uncredited (cameo)
2004	Envy	Nick Vanderpark	Nominated — People's Choice Award for Favorite Funny Male Star
2004	Laser Fart	The Elegant Hunter	Video
2004	Shark Tale	Lenny	Voice only
2005	King Kong	Carl Denham	Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Movies - Choice Sleazebag
2005	Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie	Carl Denham	voice Video game Spike Video Game Award - Best Leading Male Performance
2006	Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties	Orson, Booker and Wolf
2006	The Holiday	Miles
2006	Nacho Libre	Nacho	Nominated — Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Male Movie Star Nominated — MTV Movie Award for Best Fight Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Movies - Choice Actor: Comedy Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Movies - Choice Chemistry Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Movie - Choice Rumble
2006	Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny	Jack "Jables" Black (JB)
2007	Margot at the Wedding	Malcolm	Nominated — Gotham Award for Best Ensemble Cast
2007	Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story	Paul McCartney	Uncredited
2008	Be Kind Rewind	Jerry Gerber
2008	Kung Fu Panda	Po	Voice only Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie Nominated — Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Animated Character in a Motion Picture
2008	The Secrets of the Furious Five		Voice Short film
2008	Prop 8: The Musical	Jesus Christ	Viral video short
2008	Tropic Thunder	Jeff "Fats" Portnoy	Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Cast
2008	Tropic Thunder: Rain of Madness	Jeff "Fats" Portnoy	Video
2009	Brütal Legend	Eddie Riggs	Voice Video game Spike Video Game Award - Best Voice
2009	Year One	Zed
2010	Gulliver's Travels	Gulliver
2010	Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage	Himself
2011	Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil	Det. Bulldog R. Puppie	Voice only
2011	The Big Year
2011	The Muppets	Cameo Appearance/ along side Jason Segal
2011	Kung Fu Panda 2	Po	Voice only "post-production"
2011	Parker Redding's Big Movie	Sawyer Redding	In development

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1991	Our Shining Moments	Teenage Boy	TV Movie
1993	The Golden Palace	Taxi Driver	episode "Seems Like Old Times: Part 2"
1993	Life Goes On	Skinhead	episode "Incident on Main"
1993	Marked for Murder	Car Thief	television film
1993	Northern Exposure	Kevin Wilkins	episode "A River Doesn't Run Through It"
1994	Blind Justice	Private	television film
1994	The Innocent	Marty Prago	television film
1995	All-American Girl	Tommy	episode "A Night at the Oprah"
1995	Pride & Joy	Man	episode "Brenda's Secret"
1995	The Single Guy	Randy	episode "Sister"
1995	Touched By An Angel	Monte	episode "Angels on the Air"
1995	The X-Files	Bart 'Zero' Liqouri	episode "D.P.O."
1995–1996	Mr. Show with Bob and David	Various	4 episodes
1995–1996	Picket Fences	Curtis Williams	2 episodes
1997–2000	Tenacious D	JB	6
1999	Heat Vision and Jack	Jack	television pilot
2001	Space Ghost Coast to Coast	Himself	episode "Sweet for Brak"
2002	2002 MTV Movie Awards	Host
2002	The Andy Dick Show	J.D.	episode "Flipped"
2002	Clone High	Pusher/Larry Hardcore	episode "Raisin The Stakes"
2002	Crank Yankers	Tenacious D	episode "#1.3"
2002	Jack Black: Spider-Man	Spider-Man	MTV Movie Awards segment
2002	Lord of the Piercing	Jack the Elf	MTV Movie Awards segment Fellowship of the Ring: Extended Edition easter egg
2002	MADtv	Tenacious D	episode "#7.22"
2002	Panic Room with Will Ferrell	Himself	MTV Movie Awards segment
2003	Player$	Tenacious D	episode "Tenacious D a la Mode"
2003	Will & Grace	Dr. Isaac Hershberg	episode "Nice in White Satin"
2003–2004	Computerman	Computerman	6 episodes
2003–2004	Time Belt	Computerman	2 episodes
2004	Cracking Up	Brian	episode "Scared Straight"
2004	Tom Goes to the Mayor	Trapper JB	episode "Bear Traps"
2005	Awesometown	George Washington	television film
2007	The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show	Jables	episode "Break-Up"
2007	The Simpsons	Milo	episode " Husbands and Knives"
2008	Sesame Street	Himself	episode "The Golden Triangle Of Destiny"
2009	The Office	Sam	episode " Stress Relief"
2009	Yo Gabba Gabba	Himself	episode " New Friends"
2010	Community	Buddy	episode "Investigative Journalism"
2010	iCarly	Aspartamay	episode iStart a Fanwar
2010	Metalocalypse	Rehab Doctor	episode "Rehabklok"
2010	Take Two with Phineas and Ferb	Himself	episode "Jack Black"