Trivia

His mother, Jeannette, taught math in an all-black high school in Washington, D.C. She quit after the administration told her to stop straying from the rigid curriculum, wherein there were no real practical applications for students, many of whom were not going to college.

He has written 40 plays.

His father, Sam, was a mechanical engineer who built sea mines for the government during World War II and the Vietnam War. He quit ten years earlier than he had planned after reading the Geneva Accord and deciding there was no justification for the United States occupation of Vietnam. He then dedicated his life full-time to art, mostly stained glass and painting. He was also the one who introduced his son to theater and play writing, two things that defined Lewis Black's artistic endeavors long before stand-up comedy.

Great influence on him growing up was George Carlin.

Has a beer named after him at The Top of The Hill bar in Chapel Hill, North Carolina: Lewis Black Imperial Stout.

Had a younger brother named Ronald, who died of cancer in July 1997 at 46. Black claims in his book, "Me of Little Faith", that his success as an entertainer finally took off after his brother's death, and thus he views him as an archangel.

Graduated from University of North Carolina and Yale University

In one of his early concerts, he declared that he believed the "End of the Universe" to be in Houston, Texas, because on West Gray Street, there are two Starbucks coffeehouses on adjacent corners. More than a decade later, not only do both Starbucks still stand, but there is a third within a Barnes & Noble just slightly down the block.

Once worked for the Appalachian Regional Commission under President Nixon.

Attended the Yale School of Drama.

His mother, Jeanette, is now 90 years young [2008].

Once worked for the Silver Spring Post Office.

Lives in New York City and Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (2008)

Grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Graduated from Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Friends with fellow comedian-actor Mark Linn-Baker, and worked with him on a comedy act in New York in the early 1980s called "The Laundry Hour". The act was recreated on the audio-book version of "Me of Little Faith" with Linn-Baker.

Toured Europe with childhood friend, Cliff, in the late 60s with the intent on "hitchhiking and getting laid", neither of which were successful. His tour took him to London, Paris, Vatican City, and many cities in Italy, Spain, Tunisia, and Germany. Among others, he saw the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona and visited the Nazi concentration camp, Dachau.

Once co-owned a theater in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Played basketball in high school.

Is a member of Pi Lambda Phi fraternity.

His grandparents were Jewish emigrants from the Russian Empire, including Chornyi Ostriv and Bialystok-Grodno. When his grandfather immigrated, he was named Leib Blech, later changing it to Louis Black.

Went to University of Maryland his freshman year.

Release of his book, "Nothing's Sacred". (2005)

Release of his book, "Me of Little Faith". (2008)