Black, Jack (1969– )

US actor, comedian, and rock vocalist. He is known for his high-energy performances, often in roles as unkempt, eccentric outcasts, and for his comedy rock duo Tenacious D with guitarist and actor Kyle Gass. The duo enjoyed sold-out national tours before the release of their self-titled first album in 2001. Black achieved his breakthrough acting role as a sarcastic record store clerk in High Fidelity (2000), based on the book by English writer Nick Hornby. Other films include Shallow Hal (2001), School of Rock (2003), Envy (2004), and King Kong (2005).

He was born in Santa Monica, California, and attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), where he was a member of Tim Robbins's Actors' Gang ensemble, appearing in Robbins's production of Carnage in the 1989 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This collaboration led to his film debut in Robbins's film Bob Roberts (1992) and in other Robbins films including Dead Man Walking (1995) and Cradle Will Rock (1999), as well as to his collaboration with John Cusack, another member of the Actors' Gang, in High Fidelity. Other film appearances include Waterworld (1995), The Cable Guy (1996), Enemy of the State (1998), Jesus's Son (1999), Saving Silverman (2001), Orange County (2002), the animated film Shark Tale (2004), and Anchorman (2004).