--- name: "Lewis Black" canonical: "https://film.one/person/lewis-black" fi1m_id: "lewis-black" imdb_id: "nm0085400" tmdb_id: 59258 wikidata_id: "Q180252" roles: ["Actor"] born: "30 August 1948" reviewed_on_fi1m: 5 average_fi1m_score: 78 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-09-23T23:41:19.987238+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Lewis Black ## Identity Lewis Black - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/lewis-black - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** lewis-black - **IMDb ID:** nm0085400 - **TMDB ID:** 59258 - **Wikidata ID:** Q180252 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Black, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q180252, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0085400/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/59258 Actor. Born 30 August 1948 in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 30 August 1948, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA - **Active:** 1986–present - **Also known as:** 劉易·布萊克, لوئیس بلک - **Frequently works with:** [Amy Poehler](https://film.one/person/amy-poehler.md), [Meg LeFauve](https://film.one/person/meg-lefauve.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 88 (1), 1990s 80 (1), 2000s 68 (1), 2010s 87 (1), 2020s 68 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 76 across 5 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 4, Drama 3, Adventure 2, Animation 2, Family 2, Horror 1 - **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $2,623m across 4 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Black, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q180252, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0085400/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/59258 ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*Inside Out*](https://film.one/film/inside-out.md) (87), [*Inside Out 2*](https://film.one/film/inside-out-2.md) (68) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Lewis Black > Lewis Black delivers escalating angry rants with yelling and finger-pointing. *Inside Out* puts his familiar belligerence to good use: Anger’s short fuse comes with a concern for fairness, and other voices get a say. In *Inside Out* (2015), Lewis Black’s Anger has to share the control room, which is a useful arrangement for a performer so practised at getting louder. Amy Poehler’s insistently cheerful Joy and Phyllis Smith’s hesitant Sadness give him temperaments to push against. We laughed at these discussions because Black, Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling make the competing feelings sound like a family trying to settle something. Pete Docter gets good ensemble work from a voice that could easily dominate. Black’s short fuse is funny, but the concern for fairness beneath it makes this casting more than an obvious joke. His familiar method is to build a complaint into a rant, with shouting, pointing fingers and a body that joins in the protest. Theatre work preceded his move to full-time stand-up in the late 1980s; the recurring *Back in Black* segment on *The Daily Show* followed in 1996. There are live-action roles too, including Uncle Ben in *Accepted* (2006), but the casting of Anger makes particularly direct use of his established persona. The animated part gives that familiar delivery a job within a group. The weakness of the rant is repetition: once the volume starts rising, the next step can be easy to guess. Casting him chiefly for that familiar belligerence does not help. This is why the company in *Inside Out* matters: Hader’s Fear and Kaling’s Disgust add to the discussion, and Anger cannot be the whole conversation. Docter occasionally slows the film down with explanations. The cast’s competing temperaments are a more enjoyable way of making the feelings understandable. Kelsey Mann’s *Inside Out 2* (2024) brings Black back as Anger in a sequel we found kind and funny, but too close to the first film’s map. Our reservation is with the repeated story, not with the idea of bringing this voice back. There is less here to recommend than in Docter’s film, even if the familiar casting still makes sense. Start with the first *Inside Out*, and pay attention to how welcome Smith’s quieter delivery becomes among the louder voices. ## Biography Lewis Black is an American actor and stand-up comedian. He was born on 30 August 1948 in Silver Spring, Maryland. He studied at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received an MFA from Yale University. Black is known for voicing the character Anger in the Pixar films *Inside Out* (2015) and *Inside Out 2* (2024). His other screen credits include *Hannah and Her Sisters* (1986), *Jacob's Ladder* (1990), *Accepted* (2006) and guest appearances in series such as *The Big Bang Theory* and *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*. *Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, themoviedb.org.* ## On Fi1m (5) - *Inside Out 2* (2024), Fi1m 68, as Anger (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/inside-out-2.md) - *Inside Out* (2015), Fi1m 87, as Anger (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/inside-out.md) - *The Big Bang Theory* (2007), Fi1m 68, as Professor Crawley — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-big-bang-theory.md) - *Jacob's Ladder* (1990), Fi1m 80, as Jacob's Doctor — [page](https://film.one/film/jacobs-ladder.md) - *Hannah and Her Sisters* (1986), Fi1m 88, as Paul — [page](https://film.one/film/hannah-and-her-sisters.md) ## Complete filmography (65) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Ophira Eisenberg: I Used To Be Nicer* (2026), Producer - *Dream Productions* (2024), series, as Anger (voice) - *SpongeBob and Sandy’s Country Christmas* (2024), as Santa Claus (voice) - *Atrabilious* (2024), as Roy Altman - *Inside Out 2* (2024), as Anger (voice) — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/inside-out-2.md) - *Lewis Black: Tragically, I Need You* (2023), Writer - *Downwind* (2023), Actor - *Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years* (2021), series, as Santa Claus (voice) - *Lewis Black: Thanks For Risking Your Life* (2020), Writer - *The Last Laugh* (2019), as Max Becker - *The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants* (2018), series, as Ragely J. Snarlingtooth (voice) - *Imitation Girl* (2017), as Lew - *Better Off Single* (2016), as Charlie's Therapist - *Lewis Black: Black to the Future* (2016), Executive Producer, Writer - *Crisis in Six Scenes* (2016), series, as Al - *Rock Dog* (2016), as Linnux (voice) - *Madoff* (2016), series, as Gregory Perkins - *Riley's First Date?* (2015), as Anger (voice) - *Mind Candy* (2015), as Anger (voice) - *Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!* (2015), series, as Mayor Stoughton (voice) - *Introducing Parker Dowd* (2015), as Drew - *Inside Out* (2015), as Anger (voice) — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/inside-out.md) - *Lewis Black: Old Yeller - Live at the Borgata* (2013), Writer - *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* (2012), series, as Vic / Spider Bytez (voice) - *Lewis Black: In God We Rust* (2012), Writer - *Caris' Peace* (2011), Producer - *Afghan Luke* (2011), as Lewis Black - *Brainwave* (2011), Actor - *Robotomy* (2010), series, as Gore-Ax, The Gore-Ax/The Scrap Metal Spirit of Insanus - *Peep World* (2010), as Narrator (voice) - *Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated* (2010), series, as Mr. E (voice), Mr. E / Ricky Owens (voice) - *Basic Black: The Lewis Black Story* (2010), Actor - *Lewis Black: Stark Raving Black* (2009), Writer, Executive Producer - *The Penguins of Madagascar* (2008), series, as Dale (voice) - *Lewis Black's Root of All Evil* (2008), series, Producer - *History of the Joke* (2008), as Host - *The Big Bang Theory* (2007), series, as Professor Crawley — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-big-bang-theory.md) - *Unaccompanied Minors* (2006), as Oliver Porter - *Farce of the Penguins* (2006), as Jimmy (voice) - *Man of the Year* (2006), as Eddie Langston - *Accepted* (2006), as Uncle Ben - *Lewis Black: Red, White & Screwed* (2006), Writer, Executive Producer - *Falling for Grace* (2006), as Rob York - *The Happy Elf* (2005), as Norbert (voice) - *Lewis Black: Black on Broadway* (2004), Writer, Executive Producer - *Lewis Black Unleashed* (2003), Producer, Writer - *Duck Dodgers* (2003), series, as Manobrain (voice) - *The Gynecologists* (2003), as Cookie LaMotte - *American Dummy* (2002), as Club Owner - *Lewis Black: Taxed Beyond Belief* (2002), as Professor Black · Executive Producer, Writer - *Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law* (2000), series, as The Deadly Duplicator (voice) - *The Brak Show* (2000), series, as Movie Zorak (voice), The Slug (voice) - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as B.J. Cameron - *SpongeBob SquarePants* (1999), series, as Santa Claus (voice) - *The Deal* (1998), Screenplay, Author - *Joey Breaker* (1993), as Pete Grimm - *The Night We Never Met* (1993), as Marty Holder - *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), series, as Laszlo 'Punchy' DeLeon — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md) - *Mad About You* (1992), series, as Pizza Slice - *The Hard Way* (1991), as Banker - *Jacob's Ladder* (1990), as Jacob's Doctor — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/jacobs-ladder.md) - *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Franklin Frome — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md) - *The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd* (1987), series, as Bernie - *Hannah and Her Sisters* (1986), as Paul — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/hannah-and-her-sisters.md) - *Friend Thing*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Lewis Black](https://film.one/media/person/11405/gallery-ea501ca5b002.jpg) Lewis Black — U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Lewis_Black_Aviano_2.jpg/1280px-Lewis_Black_Aviano_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Actress Tichina Arnold, musician Zack Brown, Grammy award-winning musician Kid Rock, comedian Kathleen Madigan, American Idol contestant and country musician Ke (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/11405/gallery-8db5ffba23f9.jpg) Actress Tichina Arnold, musician Zack Brown, Grammy award-winning musician Kid Rock, comedian Kathleen Madigan, American Idol contestant and country musician Ke (2008) — Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/All_together-_Tichina_Arnold%2C_Zack_Brown%2C_Kid_Rock%2C_Kathleen_Madigan%2C_Kellie_Pickler%2C_John_Bowman_and_Lewis_Black.JPG/1280px-All_together-_Tichina_Arnold%2C_Zack_Brown%2C_Kid_Rock%2C_Kathleen_Madigan%2C_Kellie_Pickler%2C_John_Bowman_and_Lewis_Black.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![American comedian Lewis Black at "Stand Up for Heroes," a comedy and music benefit organized by the Bob Woodruff Family Fund to raise money for injured U.S. ser (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/11405/gallery-7fe8aeab3a12.jpg) American comedian Lewis Black at "Stand Up for Heroes," a comedy and music benefit organized by the Bob Woodruff Family Fund to raise money for injured U.S. ser (2007) — John J. Kruzel/American Forces Press Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Black%2C_Lewis_%28USGov%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Theater (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/11405/gallery-b68d0f189c92.jpg) Theater (2010) — Casey And Sonja, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Chicago%21_%284350621490%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Lewis Black](https://film.one/media/person/11405/gallery-2391361e71ef.jpg) Lewis Black — Image via TMDB - ![Lewis Black](https://film.one/media/person/11405/gallery-838dd80bfbb2.jpg) Lewis Black — Image via TMDB - ![Chicago (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/11405/gallery-2a637c94e8f4.jpg) Chicago (2008) — Banalities from Shanghai, China, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Chicago_%282835909321%29.jpg/500px-Chicago_%282835909321%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Chicago (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/11405/gallery-cbf1e8aba863.jpg) Chicago (2008) — Banalities from Shanghai, China, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Chicago_%282836744218%29.jpg/1280px-Chicago_%282836744218%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/lewis-black