Jack Black

There was this unwritten rule that the only comedians to make movies were to have been on network television. Aykroyd, Murray, Chase then came Sandler, Schneider, Carey, and Myers. Now there seems to be an odd man breaking the trend who goes by the name of Jack Black.

At first I thought Jack Black the actor was the guy from the Pixies, but he wasn't. Then I thought he might be the long lost grandson of British actress Karren Black, no I was wrong again. Just who was this Jack Black? I did myself a bit of detective work.

Jack Black is the singer from Tenacious D, a comedy musical act who had their own HBO televison show and who appeared in a Foo Fighters video. They currently have an album out featuring a hit single, "Wonderboy". Jack Black is not just a singer, he's an actor too, thus fitting perfectly into my catchy title.

Black has appeared in such films as Cable Guy (1996), Enemy of the State (1998) and Mars Attacks (1996). In these films he played small bit parts without much dialog. In 2000, Black appeared in High Fidelity as Barry the store clerk. His sarcastic wit and singing of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" made the movie. The very next year Black appeared in Saving Silverman as JD McNugent, Jason Bigg's bumbling former Subway employee. Now Black has the lead role in the Farrelly Brothers' new film Shallow Hal.

So where does Jack Black fit in the Hollywood scheme? This guy will make films that will be considered cult favorites. I see him as the next Steve Martin of the early to mid 80's. Black plays roles that fit him and give him a chance to make the role funny and not vice versa. I see big things for Black.