Happy Birthday to Jack Black!

An actor that can do it all in the entertainment business is hard to find. Very few men have accomplishments quite like Jack Black: acting, singing, comedy, voice over and songwriting. He has not only become a successful singer with his band Tenacious D, but has become one of the most sought after actors for comedic and children’s films. It is Black’s birthday and today we are going to take a look at some of Black’s most memorable roles throughout his career and how his performance helped elevate the film. Photo is courtesy of IMDB no copyright figment is intended.

High Fidelity. While Black had been acting for years many took notice of him after his role as Barry, a sales clerk with hilarious wit and a great musical performance in High Fidelity; some even saying he stole the show away from the main star John Cusack. Black is truly hilarious as a guy passionate about music. If people didn’t know who Black was before High Fidelity they knew him after his iconic performance of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.”

Shallow Hal. One of Black’s first leading roles, he plays Hal Larson a man who at first judges women based on appearances until he meets Rosemary, portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow, a woman he believes is slender but is actually morbidly obese. The film received mixed reviews when it first released into theaters; many saying while the message is sweet the humor falls into the bland category. Black’s performance showed he had the potential being the lead, nominated for a Teen Choice Award for Favorite Male Comedy Actor; the film itself is great for a girl’s night.

School of Rock. If any film showed Black’s true potential as the male lead it is this one. Black is Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star who takes a job as a substitute teacher, taking a job meant for his friend, for money but then meets extraordinary students gifted with music. Together they work to earn a place in the Battle of the Bands contest, but what started off as a lie turns real for Finn. This is Black’s most nominated role in his career so far, including two Teen Choice Awards, and a Golden Globe. This role not only showcased Black’s musical talent, his comedic personality, but it also showed when needed Black can be a serious actor when it comes to kids. It might even be argued that this is Black’s most iconic role to date in his career.

Shark Tale. This wasn’t Black’s first voice-over role, but it did open another door in Black’s career as a voice over actor. Black voices Lenny, a great white shark who is a vegetarian and helps Will Smith’s Oscar in continuing his lie as a shark slayer. Black’s performance as Lenny was one of the film’s more memorable roles, but his most iconic voice over role is yet to come.

King Kong. Black, in one of his few non-comedic or musical roles, brings out his more sinister side in this remake. As Carl Denham, Black portrays a man who is slowly losing his mind over his debts; wanting to make a movie about a dangerous island regardless of the safety of everyone and then bringing the gigantic Kong to the mainland. Black has said he based his performance on Orson Welles as a man who will do what he can to get to the end. Black also gets the most iconic line in the film of “beauty who killed the beast”. It was interesting for audiences to see Black not as a comedic sidekick or lovable lead but as a villain; nonetheless it was a spectacular job.

Nacho Libre. One of Black’s more memorable comedic roles; good or bad depends on the viewer’s interpretation. Black is Ignacio aka Nacho a luchador wrestler fighting to earn money for the monastery where he works as a cook. However wrestling is forbidden so he must keep his identity a secret. The film as well as Black’s performance received very mixed reviews from audiences and critics; many finding it either funny or offensive. Nonetheless Black received nominations from the Kids and Teen Choice Awards showing he can do films for kids.

The Holiday. If you were to hear about Jack Black in a romantic comedy you may not believe it but it is true as the role was written with Black in mind. He plays Miles, a song composer who helps Kate Winslet’s Iris adjust to life in Los Angeles; falling in love with her along the way. Black brought out his more adorable and charming side to the role, but also added in humor and audiences loved him.

Kung Fu Panda franchise. It is hard to imagine anyone else voicing Po, the lovable panda who was hand-picked to be the Dragon Master in the Kung Fu Panda films. As Po Black goes into his child-like humor and brings to life one of DreamWorks most popular (over course of three films and direct to DVD specials) and well-developed characters.

Tropic Thunder. Black was just one of the many critically praised performances of this funny comedy. Here he is Jeff Portnoy aka Fats in the film being filmed an actor fearing he is only famous because he is funny and has a drug problem. Black has so much adult humor in the film as an addict and has some of the weirdest/funniest lines in the movie; it’s hard not to laugh and shake your head at the same time.

Bernie. Black takes on the role of Bernie Tiede, a real life mortician who befriends an unlikable widow and then after having had enough of her manipulation kills her. Much to the dismay of the lawyer trying to put him away the town is on his side. Black once again received massive praise for his role in this black comedy as the nicest guy in town turned killer, earning his second Golden Globe nomination.

Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle. Many were uncertain about the Jumanji sequel when it was first announced, but any doubts were quickly silenced after audiences saw the film. Black stood out as he portrayed Professor Sheldon “Shelly” Oberon the avatar of Bethany Walker, a somewhat self absorbed teenage girl addicted to her phone. As strange as it sounds, Black’s portrayal as a teenage girl was downright hysterical in an already funny movie. The scene where Bethany has to learn to use how guys go to the bathroom had many clutching their sides laughing, along with his/her obvious crush on Nick Jonas’s avatar character Alex.

With these iconic roles under his belt and many more films on their way Jack Black’s career will continue to flourish and grow in the future. His next role will be as Jonathan Barnavelt in the upcoming adaption of the novel The House with a Clock in Its Walls. Happy Birthday to Jack Black!