 Born and raised in Silver Spring Maryland, Lewis Black has found a home on the stage as an Actor, Playwright, and Stand-up Comedian. Lewis Black has performed his caustic, cranky, bile-spewing dead -on social and political comedy throughout Europe and America for which he has received critical acclaim and occasional hate mail
Lewis Black is a graduate of the prestigious Yale School of Drama. As an actor, Mr. Black has appeared in such films as Hannah and Her Sisters, Jacob’s Ladder, The Hard Way and The Night We Never Met. His theatre credits include Indians (McCarter Theatre), Self-Defense (Long Wharf Theatre), Our Father (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Dead End and Johnny-on-the-Spot (Williamstown Theatre Festival). His television acting credits include, “Bernie” on “The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd,” guest starred on “Homicide” and “Mad About You,” and starred in the television pilot “Harvey Berger, Salesman” (by Jay Tarses and Richard Dresser).
As a playwright he has authored over 40 plays that have been produced in theatres across the country, including Czar of Rock and Roll (Alley Theatre, Houston, TX.) and, Crossing the Crab Nebula, (The Alliance Theater, Atlanta, Ga.) which was later produced in NY at the Ensemble Theatre starring Terri Garr. In addition Lewis co-wrote and performed, The Laundry Hour with Mark LinnBaker (Joseph Papp’s Public Theatre). He was Playwright-in-Residence and Associate Artistic Director of the West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theatre Bar where many of his plays were produced including The Chaz and Eddie Cycle, Suburban Life, The Outer Banks and The Deal.
Lewis continues to spend his summers acting and teaching at the legendary Williamstown Theatre Festival. The premier summer repertory theatre, and artistic retreat; is home to Joanne Woodward, Olympia Dukakis and Gywneth Paltrow.
As “America’s Foremost Commentator on Everything,”. he is a weekly political commentator on, Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” and he has starred in two half hour comedy specials for the network. In addition, Lewis was a regular contributor to Comedy Central’s famed “Indecision 2000” election coverage. As a stand-up comedian he has performed at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, opened for Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, The Band, Chicago and Harry Belafonte. Television appearances include “Caroline’s Comedy Hour,” “Evening at the Improv,” “The A-List,” “Live from Tompkins Square Park,” “Comic Cabana,” “Make Me Laugh,” “Comedy Showcase,” “Friday Night …The Murphy Brown Show,” “Hoop Life” (Showtime) and is seen regularly on “The Conan O’Brien Show.” Lewis also received the award for “Best Male Stand Up” by The American Comedy Awards in 2001.
The "Lewis Black: Unleashed" DVD and his stand-up CD "The Rules of Enragement" will be realeased at the end of September. He will also tape a one hour stand-up Special for HBO at NYC’s famed Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Airdate, Spring 2004.
Black works as a professional mentor with the 52nd Street project teaching inner city youth. He also raises money for several scholarship programs including The William Foeller Scholarship at Williamstown Theatre Festival where he also teaches. He is also very active in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
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