Michael Ian Black's strange career trajectory has taken the slight, dark-haired actor-writer-comedian from hip MTV icon to beloved sock puppeteer to a scene-stealing supporting character on the hit NBC series "Ed" (2000- ). The New Jersey native hooked up with fellow performers while attending New York University and formed a comedy troupe with a skewed, surrealistic approach to sketch comedy. Initially called 'The New Group', the collective became well-known at NYU, opening for campus guests like Dennis Miller before undergoing name changes, first being redubbed 'The State: Full-Frontal
