Thomas William Black is a retired American aerospace engineer best known as the father of actor and musician Jack Black. While his son has built a career in Hollywood and rock music, Thomas William Black spent his working life in the aerospace industry during a major era of American space development. This article covers his career, his marriage to fellow engineer Judith Love Cohen, and what is known about his life today in 2026.
Quick Facts About Thomas William Black
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas William Black |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Retired aerospace/satellite engineer |
| Famous For | Father of actor and musician Jack Black |
| Relationship Status | Divorced |
| Spouse | Judith Love Cohen (m. 1966; divorced 1979) |
| Children | Jack Black (born Thomas Jacob Black) |
Who Is Thomas William Black?
Thomas William Black is a retired aerospace and satellite engineer who worked in the American space and defense industry alongside his former wife, engineer Judith Love Cohen. He is primarily known today as the father of Jack Black, the actor and musician recognized for films like “School of Rock,” “King Kong,” and the “Kung Fu Panda” and “Jumanji” franchises, as well as for co-founding the rock band Tenacious D.
It’s worth clarifying a common point of confusion: Thomas William Black is Jack Black’s father, not his son. Jack Black’s own two sons are named Samuel Jason Black, born in 2006, and Thomas David Black, born in 2008. The overlapping first name comes from a family tradition, since Jack Black’s own legal name is Thomas Jacob Black, given to him in honor of his father.
Thomas William Black’s Career as an Aerospace Engineer
Thomas William Black worked as an aerospace and satellite engineer during the decades when the American space program was expanding rapidly. He and Judith Love Cohen, whom he married in the 1960s, both worked in engineering roles connected to satellite and space-instrument projects, including work associated with the Hubble Space Telescope.
Unlike his former wife, whose engineering achievements have been documented extensively in books and retrospectives on women in aerospace, Thomas William Black kept a lower professional profile. Detailed records of his specific project assignments and employers have not been widely published, so his individual technical contributions are less publicly documented than Judith’s.
Marriage to Judith Love Cohen
Thomas William Black married Judith Love Cohen in 1966. Judith was already an accomplished engineer and the mother of three children from a previous marriage to Bernard Siegel, including sons Neil Siegel and Howard Siegel, which made Thomas a stepfather when he and Judith wed. Reports indicate that Thomas converted to Judaism around the time of the marriage.
On August 28, 1969, the couple welcomed their only child together, Thomas Jacob Black, who later became known professionally as Jack Black. The family lived in Hermosa Beach, California, where Jack was raised for much of his early childhood.
Judith Love Cohen’s Engineering Career
While this article focuses on Thomas William Black, his former wife’s career is closely tied to his story. Judith Love Cohen worked on the guidance computer for the Minuteman missile program and helped develop the Abort-Guidance System used during the Apollo 13 mission in 1970, work that contributed to safely returning the astronauts to Earth. She remained in the aerospace field until her retirement in 1990 and passed away in 2016.
Divorce and Family Life After Separation
Thomas William Black and Judith Love Cohen divorced in 1979, when Jack Black was around ten years old. Jack has spoken publicly about how difficult the split was emotionally, once explaining that even when a child knows both parents still love them, a divorce can leave them feeling like something is wrong with them.
Following the divorce, Jack Black reportedly lived primarily with his father in Culver City, California, while continuing to visit his mother. Both parents stayed involved in his upbringing, including attending his school plays. Judith later remarried David A. Katz in 1981 and remained married to him until her death.
Thomas William Black’s Life Today
As of 2026, Thomas William Black is retired and living in the United States. Jack Black has periodically shared updates about his father on social media, including a Father’s Day post describing him as a “Retired aerospace engineer. Farmer. Folk dancer. Geezer hike enthusiast.” The description points to an active retirement built around hiking, folk dancing, and time outdoors.
Based on comments Jack Black has made publicly over the years, including describing his father as 80 years old in a June 2021 social media post, Thomas William Black would be in his mid-to-late eighties as of 2026. An exact, officially confirmed date of birth has not been made public.
Thomas William Black has continued to appear at public events connected to his son’s career, including attending a film premiere with Jack Black in 2019. He remains a recognizable presence in family photos Jack Black has shared over the years, including on Father’s Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Thomas William Black?
Thomas William Black is a retired American aerospace and satellite engineer, best known as the father of actor and musician Jack Black. He worked in the aerospace industry alongside his former wife, engineer Judith Love Cohen.
How old is Thomas William Black?
Thomas William Black’s exact date of birth has not been publicly confirmed. Based on comments Jack Black made in 2021 describing his father as 80 years old at the time, Thomas would be in his mid-to-late eighties as of 2026.
What did Thomas William Black do for a living?
Thomas William Black worked as an aerospace and satellite engineer, with reported ties to projects connected to the Hubble Space Telescope. He is now retired.
Who was Thomas William Black married to?
Thomas William Black was married to Judith Love Cohen, an aerospace engineer known for her work on the Apollo 13 Abort-Guidance System. They married in 1966 and divorced in 1979.
Is Thomas William Black Jack Black’s father or son?
Thomas William Black is Jack Black’s father, not his son. Jack Black’s own sons are named Samuel Jason Black and Thomas David Black.
Does Thomas William Black have other children?
Thomas William Black’s only child with Judith Love Cohen is Jack Black. He also became a stepfather to Judith’s children from her previous marriage, including Neil Siegel and Howard Siegel.
When did Thomas William Black and Judith Love Cohen divorce?
Thomas William Black and Judith Love Cohen divorced in 1979, when their son Jack Black was about ten years old.
What is Thomas William Black’s relationship with Jack Black today?
Thomas William Black remains close with his son. He has appeared at public events with Jack Black, including a film premiere, and is regularly featured in family social media posts, particularly around Father’s Day.
Where is Thomas William Black now?
As of 2026, Thomas William Black is retired and living in the United States, where he stays active through hiking and folk dancing while maintaining a relationship with his son Jack Black and his family.
Conclusion
Thomas William Black’s story runs alongside his son’s Hollywood career rather than through it. As a retired aerospace and satellite engineer who once worked in the same field as his former wife, Judith Love Cohen, he represents a very different world from the one his son Jack Black became famous in. Interest in Thomas William Black largely comes from fans curious about Jack Black’s upbringing and the engineering household that shaped him, and his continued presence in his son’s life, decades after his divorce from Judith, is part of why people keep searching for his story.
