Jack Black

Jack Black
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Name:
Jack Black
Real name:
Thomas Jacob Black
Who is:
, ,
Birth date:
(55 y.o.)
Place of birth:
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Height:
5'7 ft ()
Weight:
143 lb (65 kg)
Namesakes:
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:

Photos: Jack Black

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Jack Black's biography

Jack Black is Hollywood's master of accessible, everyman comedy - though he's definitely not the most beautiful girl Bethany from Jake Kasdan's Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. An actor and screenwriter, composer and musician, electric guitarist of the Tenacious D rock band, a charismatic and memorable personality. He broke through to mainstream success with his scene-stealing role in High Fidelity. Net worth: $50 million.
In the photo: Jack Black
In the photo: Jack Black

Childhood: Hermosa Beach, California

Born in late summer 1969 to a California family of satellite engineers, the boy was named Thomas Jacob. His mother Judith was Jewish, and his father Tom was a Scottish convert to Judaism - giving their son an explosive mix of heritage and a traditional Jewish upbringing.

Thomas Jacob - Jack for short - describes himself as a pretty wild kid who devoured Frankenstein and Dracula books and couldn't be pried away from horror movies on TV.
Jack Black in youth
Jack Black in youth
Jack overcame his parents' separation at the age of ten and began living with his father in Culver City, visiting his mother on the weekends. He'd spend hours cursing at himself in the mirror, imagining himself as a monster, conjuring up wild fantasies and dreaming of becoming a great actor like Gary Oldman.

Black has admitted in interviews that as a kid, he looked just like Po the Panda - the character he'd later voice in 2008's Kung Fu Panda, both inside and out. At fourteen, he landed a small role on The Fall Guy TV series and appeared in an Atari commercial.

Youth: Los Angeles - France

When his father got transferred to France, the teenager went with him. If not for his love of acting, he might've ended up in jail - he was constantly getting into street fights and heading down a dark path.
Young Jack Black
Young Jack Black
Pressured by family, Jack enrolled in UCLA's psychology program after high school. He quickly grew disgusted with his classes and dropped out to join Tim Robbins's acclaimed acting troupe. Theater gave him such satisfaction that Black teamed up with Kyle Gass - his former enemy turned best friend - to create the comedy rock duo Tenacious D.
Tenacious D - Tribute
The band made its mark with a TV series of the same name, followed by the full-length comedy film Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.
In interviews, Black explained how he and his friend initially played it straight as a rock duo, but soon realized their show was missing the most crucial ingredient - humor. Once they added comedy to the mix, their popularity skyrocketed, and Tenacious D became regulars on comedy TV shows.
One of its fans, actor and director John Cusack played a key role in Jack's life.

Career: Movie roles and School of Rock

Throughout the nineties, Black frequently appeared in indie films and minor TV roles. This continued until John Cusack, who had landed the lead role, recommended him for Stephen Frears's film. In High Fidelity, Jack worked alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones and Iben Hjejle, and was thrilled to reunite with Tim Robbins. He undoubtedly brought his musical chops and infectious humor to the romantic comedy.
A shot from the High Fidelity
A shot from the High Fidelity
The Farrelly brothers were so impressed with his Barry that they immediately cast him in the lead role of their comedy-drama Shallow Hal. Jack's partner on the set was Gwyneth Paltrow. Black earned a hefty three million dollar paycheck for his performance.
Jack Black in the Shallow Hal
Jack Black in the Shallow Hal
According to Black, High Fidelity made him believe in his rock star destiny—while doing a Spider-Man parody, director Richard Linklater approached him to play a rock guitarist in the comedy School of Rock.
School of Rock - Trailer
This role let Jack showcase his talents like never before! Black's Dewey earned him a 2004 Golden Globe nomination, but he lost to Bill Murray for Lost in Translation. However, he rightfully claimed the MTV Award for Best Comedic Performance.
Jack Black in the School of Rock
Jack Black in the School of Rock
Black's filmography then expanded with starring roles: Nick in Envy, Miles in The Holiday, Nacho in Nacho Libre, Jerry in Be Kind Rewind, and Zed in Year One. In 2010, he transformed into Gulliver in Gulliver's Travels, and in 2011 played mortician Bernie Tiede in Richard Linklater's dark comedy Bernie.
Top 10 pictures starring Jack Black
Black continued with leading roles in The Big Year, Sex Tape, and Goosebumps. He also starred alongside Pablo Schreiber and Tim Robbins in the political satire The Brink, where the trio works to prevent World War III.
Jack Black in the Goosebumps
Jack Black in the Goosebumps
But Jack's career truly transformed with the sci-fi adventure Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Four teenagers, including popular girl Bethany, become video game characters who must complete the game to survive and return home. Dwayne Johnson plays shy Spencer (Dr. Smolder), Karen Gillan is awkward Martha (Ruby Roundhouse), and Kevin Hart is tough guy Fridge (Mouse Finbar). Meanwhile, Jack Black hilariously embodies teenage girl Bethany (Professor Shelly Oberon).
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle - Trailer
The actor gladly recalls the work on the picture. To understand his teenage girl character, he immersed himself in her world—studying young actresses' musical tastes, listening to John Mayer, and binge-watching teen TV shows. He also nostalgically revisited the original Jumanji, starring his comedy hero Robin Williams.

Jack Black's personal life

According to Zoomboola.com, Black met Laura Kightlinger, an actress, screenwriter and producer on the set of the Will and Grace TV series. During their eight-year relationship, the couple worked on many projects together, but they never made it to the altar, amicably parting ways in 2005.
Jack Black with Laura Kightlinger
Jack Black with Laura Kightlinger
The breakup happened when Jack reconnected with his school friend Tanya Haden at a Santa Monica party where Tenacious D was performing for an old friend. The actor's dream came true: he'd finally found the woman he wanted to spend his life with.
Jack Black and Tanya Haden
Jack Black and Tanya Haden
Tanya, who is also a musician, the daughter of world famous jazz bassist Charlie Haden, turned their relationship into the kind of fairy-tale adventure Jack had always loved. The biggest adventure came when she told Black about her pregnancy, making it clear she wasn't pushing for marriage or moving in together to raise their baby. But Jack, who'd always hated formal ceremonies, immediately proposed. In spring 2006, the couple tied the knot in Big Sur, exchanging vows in a secluded cliffside house.
Jack Black with his wife and children
Jack Black with his wife and children
Three months later, the happy father was gently holding his first child, Samuel Jason Haden Black. Two years later, their second son Thomas David joined the family.
Feeling responsible for his boys and wife, Jack quit smoking and started battling his weight—much tougher for him since he's a huge fast food fan.

Jack Black nowadays

The actor wrapped up 2018 starring as the good wizard Jonathan Barnavelt in Eli Roth's fantasy comedy thriller The House with a Clock in Its Walls - an adaptation of John Bellairs' novel. The role of the powerful (but good-hearted) witch Florence Zimmerman, who battled evil pumpkins, was brilliantly played by Cate Blanchett.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls - Trailer
Jack also appeared in Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween as writer Bob Stine, and starred in the comedy Desperate Measures as Matt Pryor, a man who lost everything - both films were completed and ready for release. Audiences got to see both films in 2019.
Jack Black won't stop shooting in comedies
Jack Black won't stop shooting in comedies
Beyond expanding his filmography, Jack, as part of the Tenacious D duo (who won a 2015 Grammy for Best Metal Performance), was preparing to release a new album called Post-Apocalypto. The band planned to hit international festivals as they had in previous years.
Tenacious D - Post-Apocalypto
Despite his popularity, Jack Black is certain he'll never win an Oscar and will never stop making comedies. But he'd rather be like Bob Hope, who never won an Academy Award, than some forgotten Oscar winner whose statuette collects dust while their phone stays silent.

In 2019, "Jumanji: The Next Level" hit the big screen.
Jack Black in Jumanji 2
Jack Black in Jumanji 2

Jack Black: latest news and articles

  • Well, in the movie «Shallow Hal» I somehow didn`t like Jack Black... sorry :)
    2021-05-18 14:33:37
  • And he is really a brutal guy, but I think that he lacks serious roles if he wants to develop his popularity.
    2021-05-15 19:52:13
  • For me, Jack is a cool comedian. In general, I love humorous programs and stead-ups, and comedy films as well.
    2021-05-14 11:27:34
  • Cool dude Black was remembered for the movie «School of Rock», that`s all I can say
    2021-04-22 11:31:35
  • I only know a game like this - Jack Black haha, but this is the first time I`ve seen this dude :)
    2021-03-04 08:03:35
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