Jack Black

August 28, 2012

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On this date in 1969, Thomas Jacob “Jack” Black was born in Santa Monica, Calif., to two satellite engineers. His parents were Jewish and sent Black to Hebrew school. Black attended the University of California Los Angeles but dropped out to pursue acting. Early in his career, Black landed brief roles in various television series including “Northern Exposure” (in 1993), “The X-Files” (in 1995), “Mr. Show with Bob and David” (in 1995 and 1996) and “Picket Fences” (in 1995 and 1996). Early films include “Airborne” (1993), “Demolition Man” (1993), “Dead Man Walking” (1995), “Waterworld” (1995), “The Fan” (1996), “Mars Attacks!” (1996), “The Jackal” (1997) and “Enemy of the State” (1998). His first major role was in 2000’s “High Fidelity,” which starred John Cusack. Black starred in “Shallow Hal” (2001), “Nacho Libre” (2006), “Year One” (2009), “King Kong” (2005) and “Be Kind Rewind” (2008). He was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for “School of Rock” (2003). He has provided voices for numerous animated characters, including in the hit films “Kung Fu Panda” (2008) and Kung Fu Panda 2” (2011). In addition to his film work, Black has been the lead singer of a successful rock comedy band called Tenacious D since 1994. Black married cellist Tanya Haden in 2006. They have two sons. In an interview with Conan O’Brien, Black provoked audience laughter when discussing the pressure to send his children to Hebrew school: “There’s a Hebrew school that we really liked. And I feel a little hypocritical because I’m an atheist you know. But it’s a really good school. And I am a Jew, technically. I’m allowed to take my kids there. And my wife is too. But also we have not been to synagogue for years so I was kind of feeling the pressure to show that I am a good Jew. And I was putting on a little bit of a show. . .” (“Conan,” April 26, 2012).

“I don't have any real spirituality in my life — I'm kind of an atheist — but when music can take me to the highest heights, it's almost like a spiritual feeling.”

— Jack Black in an interview for National Public Radio, “Jack Black: On Music, Mayhem And Murder,” April 13, 2012 

Compiled by Bonnie Gutsch (FFRF)