Jack of the Month: Jack Black

With Dreamworks’ Kung Fu Panda 2 out in theaters, I thought Jack Black—who voices Po in the movie—would be the perfect “Jack of the Month” for June.  While researching him online, however, I found out that his name isn’t even Jack!  IMPOSTER!  His real name is Thomas Jacob Black!  But I guess he chose to be known as Jack (probably because it rhymes with Black), which means he clearly has an appreciation for the name.  I mean, I gotta respect a man who changes his lesser name to the far superior, noble and dignified name of Jack.

So “Jack” Black was born in August (just like me) and grew up most of his life in Culver City, California (where I was born) after his parents divorced (oh my goodness, mine divorced too!).  He grew up to be a famous actor (and here our similarities unfortunately end), with his big break being in the movie High Fidelity.  It wasn’t a big role, but bigger roles soon followed in movies such as Shallow Hal, Orange County, School of Rock, King Kong, Nacho Libre, The Holiday, Tropic Thunder, Year One and Gulliver’s Travels.  He’s even done voice work in animated movies such as Ice Age and Shark Tale, his biggest animated role of course being 2008’s Kung Fu Panda and this year’s sequel Kung Fu Panda 2.

As showcased in several of his movies, Jack Black is indeed a musician who sings and plays guitar.  He is the lead singer of a rock parody band called Tenacious D, composed of himself and Kyle Gass.  They have released two albums and the movie Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.  Jack Black has done a duet on Meatloaf’s newest album and has been featured in music videos by Beck, Foo Fighters, Sum 41 and others.

“Jack” Black is married to cellist Tanya Haden and they have two children, Samuel and Thomas.  Of all his personal and professional achievements, playing Jesus in the internet video Prop 8: The Musical is surely his greatest accomplishment!  Okay, maybe not.  But it sure was funny!

Sources:  IMDb and Wikipedia.