Top 10 Moments That Made Us Love Jack Black
#10: Rising with “Pitfall!”
What’s your first memory of Jack Black? Maybe his early film work in “The NeverEnding Story III” or early TV work in the pilot “Heat Vision and Jack?” If you search your memory banks long enough, you might remember Black’s debut acting gig. The year was 1982. “E.T.” was dominating the box office, Michael Jackson was topping the charts with “Thriller,” and 13-year-old Jack Black was telling us about getting lost in the jungle with Pitfall Harry. Black only appears for a few seconds in this retro commercial for the classic Atari game. In that short amount of time, Black exemplifies the untamable enthusiasm he’d become famous for. Decades later, Black is still blown away by the game’s graphics.
#9: Hosting the MTV Movie Awards
The spoofs are a time-honored tradition of the MTV Movie Awards. 2002 offered some of the show’s funniest offerings when Black and Sarah Michelle Gellar hosted. The ceremony commenced with Gellar sporting Mary Jane hair while a radioactive spider turns Tobey Maguire into Black. Following this surreal trip into the Spider-Verse, we head to Middle-earth where Black assumes the role of the Ring-bearer. Let’s just say that he puts it somewhere that Sauron wouldn’t think to look. As Gellar takes the Ring to Mount Doom, Black teams up with Will Ferrell to get Jodie Foster and a young Kristen Stewart out of their panic room. Moments like this exemplify why MTV would grant Black the Comedic Genius Award 20 years later.
#8: Returning to the Jungle (As a Teenage Girl)
35 years after playing “Pitfall!,” Black headed back to the jungle. Not just any jungle… the one from “Jumanji!” Black’s live-action film roles had been infrequent the past few years, but “Welcome to the Jungle” proved to be a welcome comeback of sorts. On the surface, Black is Professor Sheldon Oberon. Underneath is a popular high school student named Bethany, who’s horrified to find herself trapped in a middle-aged male body. This setup enables Black to stretch his comedic muscles in new ways while also working in some PG-13 humor. In the sequel, Bethany eventually winds up back in the Shelly avatar, but Fridge and Martha also get turns, allowing Black more room to experiment and take his character to the next level.
#7: “The Office” Movie We Wish Was Real
Black has delivered many memorable TV guest spots, sparring against Spencer in “iCarly,” bringing more chaos to the “Community” study group and earning a baffling Wookieepedia credit with Lizzo in “The Mandalorian.”However, it’s hard to top his surreal appearance in this Emmy-winning “Office” episode. Black doesn’t visit Dunder Mifflin, but the office does illegally download a movie starring him, Jessica Alba, and Cloris Leachman. We’re used to seeing movies where Black’s characters romance someone out of their league. In this film, he lands two ladies out of his league, but his heart resides with Leachman’s grandma. Alas, their love wasn’t meant to be. Not the first time a Leachman character has been with a younger gentleman, but it’s not exactly “The Last Picture Show.”
#6: Sending Ron Burgundy into a Glass Case of Emotion
Even if it’s a cameo, Black’s presence never fails to elevate a movie. Black had his head shrunken by the Muppets, but he kind of had it coming after what he did to poor Baxter.His appearance in “Anchorman” comes out of left field, much like the burrito that Ron Burgundy accidentally chucks in his face. Causing Black’s motorcyclist to mess up his ride, he seeks revenge by kicking Ron’s cherished dog off the San Diego–Coronado Bridge. It’s a moment so unexpected and mean-spirited that you can’t help but laugh in shock. The scene ran the risk of going too far, but it works because A) it’s clearly not a real dog, B) Baxter survives, and C) Black is such a riot in the role.
#5: His Holiday with Kate Winslet
Black has starred in a couple of romantic comedies, but “The Holiday” is the one that keeps us coming back, whether it’s Christmas or not. When Cameron Diaz’s Amanda and Kate Winslet’s Iris switch homes, the latter finds herself falling for a charismatic composer named Miles, played by Black. Director Nancy Meyers crafted the script with Winslet and Black in mind. So, it’s no wonder why both slide so comfortably into the roles. The film permits both a chance to step out of their usual comfort zones with Winslet doing a modern comedy and Black showing off his romantic side. The two make for an adorable pair as they bond over film scores, food, and failed relationships that luckily paved the way for this one.
#4: His Tenacious Music Career
Sorry, Foo Fighters, but the best musical group to form in 1994 was (arguably) Tenacious D. Black makes up half of this comedy rock duo with his longtime friend Kyle Gass. Following several live gigs, Tenacious D made their screen debut in the 1996 comedy “Bio-Dome,” which is admittedly the only good thing to come out of that Pauly Shore vehicle. Fortunately, the duo would be given a more prominent platform with a three-part HBO series. Tenacious D went on to release four albums and the 2006 cult comedy, “The Pick of Destiny.” Since taking on Satan, the duo has gone on multiple tours, launched an animatic YouTube series, and won a Grammy for their cover of “The Last in Line.” Such Wonderboys!
#3: Taking a Dark Turn as Bernie
In 1996, mortician Bernhardt Tiede II was convicted for the murder of 81-year-old widow Marjorie Nugent. At the time, nobody could’ve predicted that this horrific crime would inspire a comedy starring Matthew Broderick’s friend from “The Cable Guy.” Yet, 2011’s “Bernie” marked one of Black’s most acclaimed performances, earning him nominations at the Golden Globes and Independent Spirit Awards. Black brings a devilish charm to Tiede. The audience shares the same conflicted feelings as the town of Carthage. The evidence is staggering, but Tiede is so lovable that you genuinely want him to be not guilty. Black’s performance and the film proved so effective that attorney Jodi Cole was compelled to revisit Tiede’s case, but he’s almost guaranteed to die in prison.
#2: His Peachy Voiceover Work
Black is a gifted physical performer, but his voice was tailored for animation. Black has demonstrated his range as Zeke in “Ice Age,” Lenny in “Shark Tale,” and Slappy in “Goosebumps.” Two voiceover roles tower above all overs. Black was born to voice Po in “Kung Fu Panda,” bringing out the character’s passion for martial arts while balancing comedy with heart. Most recently, Black emerged as the MVP in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” turning in a menacing yet uproarious performance as Bowser. In addition to voicing the Koppa King, Black co-wrote “Peaches,” a song so popular that it’s gotten two music videos: one animated and another live-action (yet equally over-the-top). By the way, “Peaches” is eligible for Oscar consideration. Make it happen, Academy!
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
His “Tropic Thunder” Trailer
Low-Brow Comedy Done With Self-Aware Wit
His Detour to Skull Island
Black Drew Inspiration From Orson Welles, We Definitely See It
His Breakout Supporting Work in “High Fidelity”
The Moment That Had Us All Saying, “This Guy Needs His Own Movie”
Wearing Stretchy Pants
One of the Various Lines We Still Quote
His Video Game Work
Bowser Has Also Lent His Voice to “Brutal Legend” & “Psychonauts 2”
#1: Solidifying Himself as a Rockin’ Lead
By the early 2000s, Black had showcased his leading potential in films like “Orange County.” It was his Golden Globe-nominated turn in “School of Rock” that propelled Black to the top of his comedy class. As Dewey Finn, Black was given a role that played to his strengths as an energetic comedian and an unhinged musician. Black more than holds his own against seasoned comedy stars like Joan Cusack. It can be equally challenging playing off children, who they say you should never work with in showbiz. Thankfully, the casting director did their homework with discoveries like Miranda Cosgrove, who Black shares a natural rapport with. If more teachers were like Dewey, we’d be just as invested in school as we are in rock.
