Many fans know him as Jack Black — or through memorable roles like Po, Bowser, and Dewey Finn — but the comedian’s real name is actually quite different, and the story behind his stage name carries a family connection.
The 56-year-old star, who appeared in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, was born Thomas Jacob Black on August 28, 1969. So how did “Jack” become the name the world recognizes? During a 2009 interview on The Howard Stern Show, Jack Black explained that “Jack” started as a childhood nickname. His parents called him Jack from an early age, even though Thomas was his legal first name, and the nickname eventually stuck.
He also revealed that “Thomas” runs deep in his family history. According to the actor, the name traces back through multiple generations, including his father and grandfather, and even further to ancestors in Ireland. Despite initially resisting the nickname, he eventually embraced it and chose to publicly go by Jack.
Black later continued the family tradition in his own household. He met his future wife, Tanya Haden, in high school, though the two didn’t begin dating until decades later, reconnecting in 2005. That same year, they eloped and soon welcomed their first son, Samuel. Two years later, they had their second child, whom they named Thomas — honoring the longstanding family name.
The actor later joked that he felt pressure to keep the tradition alive, ultimately deciding he couldn’t “break the chain.” He calls his son Tommy, a nickname he also enjoys because of his fondness for Tommy, the famous album by The Who.
Black has also shared that his younger son seems to take after him. Inspired in part by his father’s role in Kung Fu Panda, Tommy developed an interest in martial arts. During an appearance on The Tonight Show, Black humorously noted that his son often jumps out to surprise him, keeping him constantly on his toes — a playful reflection of the energetic personality fans associate with the actor himself.
