Poker Funnyman: Jack Black

The last time most of saw Jack Black, he was introducing a big Gorilla who would eventually run amok through the streets of New York. No, we are not talking about "Larry the Cable Guys" last vacation to the Big Apple. Jack recently starred in the Blockbuster remake of the 1933 film, "King Kong".

Kong was Jacks first headlining role in a film that had high expectations and a budget that was equal to the GNP of some of the more prosperous Banana Republics. Before that, he spent most of his career playing the comedic second fiddle in a number of well-received films that didn't have nearly the hype or financial resources that were put into Kong. Besides his obvious talent for snappy comebacks and impeccable timing, it seems Jack also has a way with the game of poker.

Like many of his celebrity brethren, we started seeing Jack display his talent with a hand of cards when television cameras started being installed in places where celebrities play Texas Hold'em. Jack was able to take his game out of the casino and bring in television for all to see.

Jack Black appeared on the World Poker Tour's "Hollywood Home Game". He sat at the table with Drew Casey, Steve Harris, Mimi Rogers, Fred Savage, and Aisha Tyler and competed for the $10,000 first prize. Jack came in last place in this game, but considering the fact it was all for fun and charity, everyone was a winner.

Jack's appearance on the World Poker Tour was commercial success and fans of the game found him highly entertaining despite his last place finish. We look for more appearances by Mr. Black at any poker table that comes equipped with its own television camera.

About Jack Black: Jack Black's acting career began primarily with prime time TV. He played roles on several hit shows; such as The Golden Palace (Taxi Driver), Life Goes On (skinhead), and Northern Exposure (Kevin Wilkins, prom king). Black later took on small roles in The Cable Guy, Bob Roberts, Mars Attacks!, Waterworld, The Jackal, Bye Bye Love, Dead Man Walking, Enemy of the State, and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer before a breakthrough role as Barry, the pretentious co-worker to John Cusack's record store owner in High Fidelity.

His career soon led to leading roles in films such as Shallow Hal, Orange County, School of Rock, and King Kong. Black starred in two films in 2006: Nacho Libre, where he plays a Mexican friar following his childhood dream of wrestling and pursuing true victory by fighting for the children of an orphanage, and "Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny", a fictionalized account of the band's formation and their quest to obtain a "suprenatural" guitar pick. "Nacho Libre opened on June 16, 2006; "Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny" was released November 22, 2006.

Jack Black is the lead singer for the rock comedy band Tenacious D, which perhaps owes much of their popularity to Black's unorthodox, humorous lyrics.

Source: launchpoker