The name Roger Black belongs to two different public figures: a British Olympic medalist who became a television presenter and motivational speaker, and an American voice actor and writer known for adult animated comedies. This article separates their stories, answering common questions about their personal lives, careers, and physical attributes.
What is Roger Black’s family like?
| Attribute | Roger Black (Athlete) | Roger Black (Voice Actor) |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Roger Anthony Black MBE | Roger Black (IV) |
| Born | 31 March 1966, Gosport, England | Not publicly available |
| Known For | Olympic 400m silver (1996), world champion 4×400m relay | Voice roles in Brickleberry, Paradise PD, Farzar |
| Spouse | Julia Burgess | Not publicly confirmed |
- The name Roger Black refers to two distinct public figures: an Olympic medalist and an American voice actor and writer.
- The athlete Roger Black is best known for his 400m silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and his later work as a motivational speaker.
- The voice actor Roger Black has contributed to several adult animated series, including Brickleberry and Paradise PD, and is sometimes confused with the athlete.
- Height and family questions are common for both individuals, but the answers differ significantly depending on which person is being referenced.
- Elsa Devassoigne is a French sprinter who was married to the athlete Roger Black; she is not the same person as the voice actor’s partner.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 March 1966, Gosport, England |
| Olympic medal | Silver, 400m, 1996 Atlanta |
| World title | 4×400m relay champion (1991, 1997) |
| European title | 400m champion (1990) |
| MBE awarded | 1996 |
| Spouse | Julia Burgess |
| Children | Twin sons George and Max (born 2006), daughter Isabelle (from previous marriage) |
| Heart condition | Diagnosed with a leaking heart valve at age 11; underwent open heart surgery in February 2025 |
The athlete Roger Black was born on 31 March 1966 in Gosport, Hampshire, the son of David and Thelma. He has a twin sister named Julia. He is married to Julia Burgess, and the couple has twin sons, George and Max, born in 2006. He also has a daughter, Isabelle Black, from his previous marriage to French sprinter Elsa Devassoigne. Isabelle competes internationally as a sprinter for France, following in her parents’ athletic footsteps. Wikipedia provides a detailed account of his family background and career.
Much less is publicly known about the voice actor Roger Black’s family. His birth date has not been made public, and no reliable sources confirm a spouse or children. His IMDb page lists his filmography and height but omits personal details.
What illness does Roger Black have?
A heart condition diagnosed in childhood
The athlete Roger Black has spoken publicly about a rare heart condition that was discovered when he was 11 years old. Medical examinations at the time revealed a leaking heart valve, a condition that required long-term monitoring. He continued his athletic career despite the diagnosis, reaching the pinnacle of Olympic competition.
According to his speaker biography and published interviews, Roger Black was diagnosed with a leaking heart valve at age 11. In February 2025, after the condition worsened, he underwent open heart surgery. The specific type of heart condition is not officially confirmed in recent sources, and follow-up reports on his recovery remain limited.
After retiring from athletics, Black built a career as a television presenter and motivational speaker. His health story has become a part of his public narrative, often mentioned in his talks. Chartwell Speakers outlines his professional biography and mentions his experience overcoming health challenges.
How tall is Roger Black?
Height is one of the most frequently searched questions about Roger Black, but the answer depends on which person the question refers to. The athlete Roger Black stands at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 metres), a common height for a 400m sprinter. The voice actor Roger Black is listed on IMDb as 6 feet 2¾ inches (1.90 metres), making him slightly taller.
The difference in height measurements has contributed to online confusion, especially when sources do not clarify which Roger Black they are describing. No reliable source provides a verified height for the voice actor beyond the IMDb listing, which is user-contributed.
What are Roger Black’s notable roles in animation?
The American Roger Black is a writer, producer, and voice actor best known for co-creating and performing in several adult animated series. His most prominent credit is Brickleberry, which aired from 2012 to 2015. In that show, he voiced the character Yucko the Clown, a vulgar and aggressive entertainer. He also voiced the character Steve and served as a writer and producer.
Roger Black (voice actor) is credited as a writer, producer, and voice performer on Brickleberry (2012–2015), Paradise PD (2018–2022), and Farzar (2022). His character Yucko the Clown on Brickleberry remains his most recognized role. A fandom page describes him as a writer, actor, voice actor, and animator, and notes he co-created each of those series.
After Brickleberry ended, Black co-created Paradise PD, a Netflix animated series that ran for four seasons. He voiced multiple characters on the show. In 2022, he co-created Farzar, another Netflix adult animated comedy. His work places him within a specific niche of irreverent, boundary-pushing animation that has a dedicated following.
Who is Elsa Devassoigne and how is she connected to Roger Black?
Elsa Devassoigne is a French sprinter who competed in the Olympic Games. Born on 12 October 1969 in Schœlcher, Martinique, she specialized in the 400 metres and represented France at the international level. She was married to the athlete Roger Black, and the couple had a daughter, Isabelle Black, who is also an international sprinter representing France. Olympedia records her as Elsa Devassoigne (-Black-) and confirms her Olympic participation.
Some online sources incorrectly link Elsa Devassoigne to the voice actor Roger Black. No credible evidence supports that connection. The reliable information indicates she is a former French Olympic sprinter and the ex-wife of the athlete Roger Black.
This connection is sometimes misunderstood because two different public figures share the same name. The athlete Roger Black was married to Devassoigne, while the voice actor Roger Black has no confirmed relationship with her. Team GB’s official profile of Roger Black does not discuss his personal relationships, but his marriage to Devassoigne is documented in biographical sources.
What key events shaped Roger Black’s lives and careers?
Athlete Roger Black – career timeline
- 1966 – Born in Gosport, England.
- 1985 – European Junior champion in 400m and 4×400m relay.
- 1990 – European senior champion in 400m.
- 1991 – World champion in 4×400m relay.
- 1996 – Olympic silver medal in 400m at Atlanta Games; diagnosed with heart condition; awarded MBE.
- 1997 – Second world relay gold; retires from athletics.
- 2000s – Becomes motivational speaker and television presenter.
- 2025 – Undergoes open heart surgery in February.
Voice actor Roger Black – career timeline
- 2012 – Brickleberry premieres; Roger Black credited as writer and voice actor (Yucko the Clown).
- 2018 – Paradise PD premieres on Netflix; Black serves as co-creator and voice performer.
- 2022 – Farzar premieres on Netflix; Black co-creates and voices multiple characters.
What is known for certain about Roger Black – and what remains unclear?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Roger Black (athlete) is a verified Olympic medalist and MBE recipient with documented career achievements. | The exact nature of the athlete’s current health condition – atrial fibrillation has been mentioned but is not officially confirmed in recent medical sources. |
| Roger Black (voice actor) has IMDb credits for Brickleberry, Paradise PD, and Farzar. | The voice actor’s birth date and full name are not publicly verified. |
| The athlete’s height is 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m); the actor’s height is listed as 6 ft 2¾ in (1.90 m). | The relationship between the voice actor and Elsa Devassoigne is not officially confirmed; sources are either rumour or misattribution. |
| Elsa Devassoigne is a French Olympic sprinter and former wife of the athlete Roger Black. | The number and names of the athlete’s children are sometimes reported inconsistently – twin sons and a daughter are verified, but birth years vary across sources. |
Why does the name Roger Black cause confusion in online searches?
The name Roger Black creates a natural search ambiguity. Users looking for information about the athlete may encounter results about the voice actor, and vice versa. The athlete enjoys high E-E-A-T (expertise, authoritativeness, trustworthiness) because his career is documented by official sports bodies such as Team GB and the International Olympic Committee. The voice actor has a lower authoritative footprint, with his IMDb page and fan wikis serving as the primary sources of information.
Health and personal life questions dominate search queries for the athlete, reflecting public interest in human-interest aspects beyond his professional achievements. For the voice actor, queries tend to focus on his characters and the specific adult animated shows he helped create. Brickleberry and related series have a cult following that drives consistent traffic to his IMDb and fan pages.
What do reliable sources say about Roger Black?
“Roger Black MBE is an English former athlete who specialised in the 400 metres. He won an Olympic silver medal in the 400 metres at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and a bronze in the 4×400 metres relay. He also won gold medals in the 4×400 metres relay at the 1991 and 1997 World Championships.”
– Wikipedia, Roger Black (athlete)
“Roger Black is a writer, producer, and actor, known for Brickleberry (2012–2015), Farzar (2022) and Paradise PD (2018–2022).”
– IMDb, Roger Black (IV)
“Roger Black is a true British icon – a world-class athlete turned professional speaker, mentor and broadcaster. He has spoken about overcoming a leaking heart valve diagnosed at age 11.”
– Chartwell Speakers biography
How can you tell which Roger Black is being discussed?
The simplest way to distinguish between the two is by context. If the topic involves Olympic medals, athletics, motivational speaking, or a heart condition, it refers to the British athlete born in 1966. If the topic involves adult animated comedies, voice acting, or a height of 6 ft 2¾ in (1.90 m), it refers to the American voice actor. Checking the source – an official sports body versus an entertainment industry database – also provides a quick answer.
For readers interested in other notable British public figures, Chris Eubank – Biography, Boxing Record & Family Legacy offers a similar deep dive into a sports icon’s personal and professional life. Another related profile is Shane Richie – EastEnders Star, Wife, Children, and Career, which covers a British entertainer’s biography in comparable detail.
Frequently asked questions
What role did Roger Black play in Brickleberry?
Roger Black voiced Yucko the Clown and Steve in Brickleberry. He also served as a writer and producer on the series, which aired from 2012 to 2015 on Comedy Central.
Who is Roger Black Yucko?
Yucko the Clown is a character voiced by Roger Black (the voice actor) on the animated series Brickleberry. Yucko is known for his vulgar humour and aggressive personality.
How many children does Roger Black the athlete have?
The athlete has three children: twin sons George and Max (born 2006) with his wife Julia Burgess, and a daughter, Isabelle Black, from his previous marriage to French sprinter Elsa Devassoigne.
Is Roger Black the athlete still married?
Yes, Roger Black (athlete) is married to Julia Burgess. They have twin sons together. He was previously married to French sprinter Elsa Devassoigne.
What is the voice actor Roger Black’s full name?
The voice actor is listed as Roger Black (IV) on IMDb, but his full name and date of birth have not been made public. No verified source provides this information.
Does the voice actor Roger Black have children?
No reliable source confirms whether the voice actor Roger Black has children. His personal life is not documented in public records.
What other shows has the voice actor Roger Black worked on?
In addition to Brickleberry, he co-created and performed in Paradise PD (2018–2022) and Farzar (2022), both adult animated series on Netflix.
Did Roger Black the athlete really have open heart surgery?
According to his speaker biography and published reports, Roger Black underwent open heart surgery in February 2025 after a heart condition diagnosed in childhood worsened. Official medical statements have not been released.
Sophie Kendall is Standards & Fact-Checking Lead at MarketUK.uk, leading fact-checking, source verification, corrections review and editorial standards.