Jack Black

Background

Thomas Jacob Black, professionally known as Jack Black, was born on August 28, 1969, in Hermosa Beach, California. He was raised in the Jewish faith by his parents Thomas William Black and Judith Love Cohen, who were both engineers. Black attended U.C.L.A. but later dropped out to pursue an acting career.

Black started as an actor appearing in small roles in television shows such as “Life Goes On,” “Northern Exposure,” “Picket Fences,” and “The X-Files.” He also appeared in the movies “Waterworld” (1995), “The Cable Guy” (1996), “Mars Attacks!” (1996), “Enemy of the State” (1998), and “Cradle Will Rock” (1999). It was his role in “Jesus’ Son” and H.B.O.’s “Mr. Show” that earned him recognition as a comic. Black would later land his breakthrough role in “High Fidelity” (2000). Riding on the momentum of his success, Black then starred alongside Gwyneth Paltrow in the romantic comedy “Shallow Hal” (2001). He also starred in another comedy titled “Orange County” (2002). One of his most iconic roles was that of a rebellious music teacher in “School of Rock” (2003). He also starred in the remake of “King Kong” (2005). He played a monk-turned-wrestler in “Nacho Libre” (2006). Black also lent his voice as Po in the animated movie “Kung Fu Panda” (2008). It went on to become one of his most successful movies, generating a revenue of $630 million; it was followed by two sequels. His other notable roles include those in “Tropic Thunder” (2008), “Gulliver’s Travels” (2010), and “Goosebumps” (2015). He also starred in “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (2017) and its sequel “Jumanji: The Next Level” (2019).

Black is married to musician and singer Tanya Haden; they have two sons. Although he identifies himself as an atheist, he raised his children in the Jewish faith.